Phillip Jensen
Encyclopedia
Phillip Jensen is an Australia
n cleric of the Anglican
Diocese of Sydney and the Dean
of St Andrew's Cathedral
. He is the brother of Peter Jensen, the Anglican Archbishop
of Sydney.
and won the Hey Sharp prize for coming first in the Licenciate of Theology (ThL), the standard course of study at that time, a year after his brother Peter won it. Jensen became Anglican chaplain
to the University of New South Wales
(UNSW) in 1975 and Rector
of St Matthias' Centennial Park
, in 1977. Jensen could be described as deeply conservative
in his Calvinist
theology yet radical
and iconoclastic in his ministry style.
Basing his university ministry around expository preaching
and "walk-up evangelism
", Jensen and his "Campus Bible Study
" revolutionised student ministry. The result was a large number of conversions
, large student gatherings at UNSW and the growth of St Matthias' Church from a group of 20–30 in 1977 to well over 1000 by the mid 1990s. Forthright, sometimes brusque, Jensen gained many supporters and detractors.
Jensen's work at UNSW included the creation of the Ministry Training Strategy (MTS) which took willing young men and women and trained them in practical ministry skills, preparing them for church ministry, ordained
or otherwise. Other initiatives included the establishment of the ministry's media arm, Matthias Media
.
It was the strong growth of the MTS strategy in other universities and churches throughout the 1980s and 1990s that saw student numbers at Moore Theological College grow from around 150 in 1985 to over 400 in 2004. Many of these graduates are now rector
s of Anglican churches in Sydney and leaders in many evangelical churches throughout Sydney and the world. He also authored the Two Ways To Live gospel tract
and founded The Briefing
, a sometimes polemical magazine that mixes conservative Evangelical and Calvinistic theology with intellectual rigour in a uniquely Australian style which continues to be championed by Tony Payne and Gordon Cheng
. He has also been involved in the establishment of some independent evangelical churches and facilitated links between them and the Anglican Diocese of Sydney
.
In 2003 the chapter
of St Andrew's Cathedral
in Sydney
appointed Jensen as Dean of Sydney. His appointment brought accusations of nepotism on the grounds that Jensen's brother, the newly elected Archbishop of Sydney, Peter Jensen, was a member of the cathedral chapter responsible for his election. Peter Jensen, however, did not take part in the final secret ballot to appoint his brother as dean.
, syncretism
, intellectual relativism
, gambling
, same-sex relationships and Roman Catholicism. He is an opponent of the ordination of women
to the priesthood and episcopate within the Anglican Church of Australia
. He has been criticised in the secular media.
It is now widely recognised that Jensen has been influential in shaping Anglican Church League policy. He and a number of other influential Sydney Anglicans have promoted lay administration
of the Lord's Supper
and offered opinions on the future structure and functioning of the Anglican Communion
in the light of the ordination of practising homosexuals to the episcopacy
.
Jensen's attitude to traditional Anglican styles of cathedral worship has drawn criticism, especially from defenders of classical sacred music such as the Tallis Scholars
' director, Peter Phillips, who accused him of "vandalising" Anglican culture. Jensen has defended his changes in the cathedral's style of worship on the grounds of attempting to broaden the demographic of the congregation. Jensen, as with most Sydney Anglican clergy, has discarded use of the cassock
, scarf
and surplice
but, idiosyncratically, has revived use of the Geneva gown
. Choral Evensong
on Sunday evenings has been replaced with "The Bible Talks" (renamed City Night Church in 2009) and a more contemporary style of gathering. Jensen has stated that the cathedral choir continues to play an active role in the life of the cathedral, though others point out that its opportunities for performance have been much diminished, a conflict which led to the departure of the previous music director, Michael Deasey. The St Andrew's Cathedral School's Girls' Vocal Ensemble was, for the first time, allowed a regular opportunity to sing in the cathedral, but this has since changed. The liturgy
in St Andrew's Cathedral has undergone considerable change since Jensen's appointment as dean, though according to him and his supporters it remains grounded in the theological outlook of the Book of Common Prayer
of 1662 with its emphasis on the confession
of sin and salvation solely through the merits of Christ
.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n cleric of the Anglican
Anglican Church of Australia
The Anglican Church of Australia is a member church of the Anglican Communion. It was previously officially known as the Church of England in Australia and Tasmania...
Diocese of Sydney and the Dean
Dean (religion)
A dean, in a church context, is a cleric holding certain positions of authority within a religious hierarchy. The title is used mainly in the Anglican Communion and the Roman Catholic Church.-Anglican Communion:...
of St Andrew's Cathedral
St. Andrew's Cathedral, Sydney
St Andrew's Cathedral is the cathedral church of the Anglican Diocese of Sydney in the Anglican Church of Australia. The cathedral is the seat of the Anglican Archbishop of Sydney and Metropolitan of New South Wales, the Most Reverend Peter Jensen...
. He is the brother of Peter Jensen, the Anglican Archbishop
Archbishop
An archbishop is a bishop of higher rank, but not of higher sacramental order above that of the three orders of deacon, priest , and bishop...
of Sydney.
Education and ministry
Jensen studied theology at Moore Theological CollegeMoore Theological College
Moore Theological College, otherwise known simply as Moore College, is the theological training seminary of the Diocese of Sydney in the Anglican Church of Australia...
and won the Hey Sharp prize for coming first in the Licenciate of Theology (ThL), the standard course of study at that time, a year after his brother Peter won it. Jensen became Anglican chaplain
Chaplain
Traditionally, a chaplain is a minister in a specialized setting such as a priest, pastor, rabbi, or imam or lay representative of a religion attached to a secular institution such as a hospital, prison, military unit, police department, university, or private chapel...
to the University of New South Wales
University of New South Wales
The University of New South Wales , is a research-focused university based in Kensington, a suburb in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia...
(UNSW) in 1975 and Rector
Rector
The word rector has a number of different meanings; it is widely used to refer to an academic, religious or political administrator...
of St Matthias' Centennial Park
Centennial Park, New South Wales
Centennial Park is a large public, urban park that occupies 220 hectares in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Centennial Park is located 4 kilometres south-east of the Sydney central business district, in the City of Randwick...
, in 1977. Jensen could be described as deeply conservative
Conservative Christianity
Conservative Christianity is a term applied to a number of groups or movements seen as giving priority to traditional Christian beliefs and practices...
in his Calvinist
Calvinism
Calvinism is a Protestant theological system and an approach to the Christian life...
theology yet radical
Radicalization
Radicalization is the process in which an individual changes from passiveness or activism to become more revolutionary, militant or extremist. Radicalization is often associated with youth, adversity, alienation, social exclusion, poverty, or the perception of injustice to self or others.-...
and iconoclastic in his ministry style.
Basing his university ministry around expository preaching
Expository preaching
Expository preaching is a form of preaching that throws light upon the meaning of a particular text or passage of Scripture. As "throwing light," this term is more general than exegesis, which is used for more technical and grammatical exposition, a careful drawing out of the exact meaning of a...
and "walk-up evangelism
Evangelism
Evangelism refers to the practice of relaying information about a particular set of beliefs to others who do not hold those beliefs. The term is often used in reference to Christianity....
", Jensen and his "Campus Bible Study
Campus Bible Study
Campus Bible Study was established in 1975 at the University of New South Wales by the then Anglican chaplain Phillip Jensen...
" revolutionised student ministry. The result was a large number of conversions
Conversion to Christianity
Conversion to Christianity is the religious conversion of a previously non-Christian person to some form of Christianity. It has been called the foundational experience of Christian life...
, large student gatherings at UNSW and the growth of St Matthias' Church from a group of 20–30 in 1977 to well over 1000 by the mid 1990s. Forthright, sometimes brusque, Jensen gained many supporters and detractors.
Jensen's work at UNSW included the creation of the Ministry Training Strategy (MTS) which took willing young men and women and trained them in practical ministry skills, preparing them for church ministry, ordained
Ordination
In general religious use, ordination is the process by which individuals are consecrated, that is, set apart as clergy to perform various religious rites and ceremonies. The process and ceremonies of ordination itself varies by religion and denomination. One who is in preparation for, or who is...
or otherwise. Other initiatives included the establishment of the ministry's media arm, Matthias Media
Matthias Media
Matthias Media is an award winning Australian evangelical Christian publisher. The business grew out of the ministry of Phillip Jensen and Tony Payne at St Matthias, Centennial Park, Sydney under the name St Matthias Press and Tapes. Many resources now published by Matthias Media were developed as...
.
It was the strong growth of the MTS strategy in other universities and churches throughout the 1980s and 1990s that saw student numbers at Moore Theological College grow from around 150 in 1985 to over 400 in 2004. Many of these graduates are now rector
Rector
The word rector has a number of different meanings; it is widely used to refer to an academic, religious or political administrator...
s of Anglican churches in Sydney and leaders in many evangelical churches throughout Sydney and the world. He also authored the Two Ways To Live gospel tract
Tract (literature)
A tract is a literary work, and in current usage, usually religious in nature. The notion of what constitutes a tract has changed over time. By the early part of the 21st century, these meant small pamphlets used for religious and political purposes, though far more often the former. They are...
and founded The Briefing
The Briefing
The Briefing is an evangelical Christian magazine published by Matthias Media in partnership with The Good Book Company . It is printed monthly, and is circulated in Australia, North America and the United Kingdom...
, a sometimes polemical magazine that mixes conservative Evangelical and Calvinistic theology with intellectual rigour in a uniquely Australian style which continues to be championed by Tony Payne and Gordon Cheng
Gordon Cheng
Gordon Cheng is an Australian Christian author and writer. He is currently Campus Director with the Cumberland Campus of Sydney University, employed by Australian Fellowship of Evangelical Students. For several years he was the Resources Editor of Matthias Media ,...
. He has also been involved in the establishment of some independent evangelical churches and facilitated links between them and the Anglican Diocese of Sydney
Anglican Diocese of Sydney
The Diocese of Sydney is a diocese within the Anglican Church of Australia. The majority of the diocese is Evangelical and low church in tradition and committed to Reformed and Calvinist theology....
.
In 2003 the chapter
Cathedral chapter
In accordance with canon law, a cathedral chapter is a college of clerics formed to advise a bishop and, in the case of a vacancy of the episcopal see in some countries, to govern the diocese in his stead. These councils are made up of canons and dignitaries; in the Roman Catholic church their...
of St Andrew's Cathedral
Cathedral
A cathedral is a Christian church that contains the seat of a bishop...
in Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
appointed Jensen as Dean of Sydney. His appointment brought accusations of nepotism on the grounds that Jensen's brother, the newly elected Archbishop of Sydney, Peter Jensen, was a member of the cathedral chapter responsible for his election. Peter Jensen, however, did not take part in the final secret ballot to appoint his brother as dean.
Views
Jensen has spoken publicly against secularismSecularism
Secularism is the principle of separation between government institutions and the persons mandated to represent the State from religious institutions and religious dignitaries...
, syncretism
Syncretism
Syncretism is the combining of different beliefs, often while melding practices of various schools of thought. The term means "combining", but see below for the origin of the word...
, intellectual relativism
Relativism
Relativism is the concept that points of view have no absolute truth or validity, having only relative, subjective value according to differences in perception and consideration....
, gambling
Gambling
Gambling is the wagering of money or something of material value on an event with an uncertain outcome with the primary intent of winning additional money and/or material goods...
, same-sex relationships and Roman Catholicism. He is an opponent of the ordination of women
Ordination of women
Ordination in general religious usage is the process by which a person is consecrated . The ordination of women is a regular practice among some major religious groups, as it was of several religions of antiquity...
to the priesthood and episcopate within the Anglican Church of Australia
Anglican Church of Australia
The Anglican Church of Australia is a member church of the Anglican Communion. It was previously officially known as the Church of England in Australia and Tasmania...
. He has been criticised in the secular media.
It is now widely recognised that Jensen has been influential in shaping Anglican Church League policy. He and a number of other influential Sydney Anglicans have promoted lay administration
Lay presidency
Lay presidency is a form of celebrating the Lord's Supper whereby the person presiding over the sacrament is not an ordained minister of religion...
of the Lord's Supper
Eucharist
The Eucharist , also called Holy Communion, the Sacrament of the Altar, the Blessed Sacrament, the Lord's Supper, and other names, is a Christian sacrament or ordinance...
and offered opinions on the future structure and functioning of the Anglican Communion
Anglican Communion
The Anglican Communion is an international association of national and regional Anglican churches in full communion with the Church of England and specifically with its principal primate, the Archbishop of Canterbury...
in the light of the ordination of practising homosexuals to the episcopacy
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
.
Jensen's attitude to traditional Anglican styles of cathedral worship has drawn criticism, especially from defenders of classical sacred music such as the Tallis Scholars
Tallis Scholars
The Tallis Scholars are a British vocal ensemble normally consisting of two singers per part, with a core group of ten singers.Formed in 1973 by their director Peter Phillips, they specialise in performing a cappella sacred vocal music written during the Renaissance by composers from all over Europe...
' director, Peter Phillips, who accused him of "vandalising" Anglican culture. Jensen has defended his changes in the cathedral's style of worship on the grounds of attempting to broaden the demographic of the congregation. Jensen, as with most Sydney Anglican clergy, has discarded use of the cassock
Cassock
The cassock, an item of clerical clothing, is an ankle-length robe worn by clerics of the Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Anglican Church, Lutheran Church and some ministers and ordained officers of Presbyterian and Reformed churches. Ankle-length garment is the meaning of the...
, scarf
Scarf
A scarf is a piece of fabric worn around the neck, or near the head or around the waist for warmth, cleanliness, fashion or for religious reasons. They can come in a variety of different colours.-History:...
and surplice
Surplice
A surplice is a liturgical vestment of the Western Christian Church...
but, idiosyncratically, has revived use of the Geneva gown
Geneva gown
The Geneva gown, also called a pulpit gown, pulpit robe, or preaching robe, is an ecclesiastical garment customarily worn by ordained ministers in the Christian churches that arose out of the historic Protestant Reformation.- Description :...
. Choral Evensong
Evening Prayer (Anglican)
Evening Prayer is a liturgy in use in the Anglican Communion and celebrated in the late afternoon or evening...
on Sunday evenings has been replaced with "The Bible Talks" (renamed City Night Church in 2009) and a more contemporary style of gathering. Jensen has stated that the cathedral choir continues to play an active role in the life of the cathedral, though others point out that its opportunities for performance have been much diminished, a conflict which led to the departure of the previous music director, Michael Deasey. The St Andrew's Cathedral School's Girls' Vocal Ensemble was, for the first time, allowed a regular opportunity to sing in the cathedral, but this has since changed. The liturgy
Liturgy
Liturgy is either the customary public worship done by a specific religious group, according to its particular traditions or a more precise term that distinguishes between those religious groups who believe their ritual requires the "people" to do the "work" of responding to the priest, and those...
in St Andrew's Cathedral has undergone considerable change since Jensen's appointment as dean, though according to him and his supporters it remains grounded in the theological outlook of the Book of Common Prayer
Book of Common Prayer
The Book of Common Prayer is the short title of a number of related prayer books used in the Anglican Communion, as well as by the Continuing Anglican, "Anglican realignment" and other Anglican churches. The original book, published in 1549 , in the reign of Edward VI, was a product of the English...
of 1662 with its emphasis on the confession
Confession
This article is for the religious practice of confessing one's sins.Confession is the acknowledgment of sin or wrongs...
of sin and salvation solely through the merits of Christ
Solus Christus
Solus Christus , sometimes referred to in the ablative case as Solo Christo , is one of the five solas that summarise the Protestant Reformers' basic belief that salvation is through Christ alone and that Christ is the only mediator between God and man, see also New Covenant.-Protestant-Catholic...
.