He Is Risen: Easter Sunday Reflections on Resurrection, Renewal, and the Church’s Journey

Today, across Australia and around the world, Christians gather to proclaim the ancient and ever-new truth: He is risen! Easter Sunday is the heart of our faith—a day when the impossible becomes possible, when despair gives way to hope, and when the story of death is rewritten by the power of resurrection.

As I write this, I am mindful of the journey that has brought me—and perhaps many of you—to this moment. The past year has been one of deep reflection, challenge, and growth, both personally and for the Anglican Church of Australia. In my upcoming book, Faithfulness in Service: The Evolution of Anglican Doctrine and Civil Rights in Australia, I explore the evolving landscape of Anglican doctrine, civil rights, and the call to inclusivity. Today, on Easter Sunday, I am reminded that the story of the Church is, at its core, a story of resurrection—of God bringing new life out of old wounds, and hope out of brokenness.

Easter is not just a metaphor for personal transformation or institutional renewal. It is the declaration that, in Christ, death does not have the final word. The empty tomb is a sign that God’s love is stronger than our failures, our divisions, and even our deepest fears. For the Church, this means that no matter how daunting the challenges we face—declining numbers, theological disagreements, or the struggle to embody true inclusivity—there is always the possibility of new life.

In my book, I wrote about the Anglican Church’s journey through conflict and change, especially as it seeks to reconcile tradition with the demands of justice and inclusion. Easter reminds us that resurrection is not a one-time event, but an ongoing invitation. The Church is called to be a community of resurrection people—those who dare to hope, to forgive, to build bridges where walls once stood.

This Easter, I am especially mindful of those who have felt excluded or silenced by the Church. The message of the empty tomb is for you: God’s love cannot be contained by human boundaries. The risen Christ appears first to those on the margins, calling them by name and sending them out as witnesses to new life.

As we celebrate Easter, let us pray for the courage to be people of resurrection—not only in word, but in action. May our churches become places where all are welcomed, affirmed, and loved. May we have the humility to learn from our past, the wisdom to discern God’s leading, and the boldness to embrace the future with hope.

Gracious God,

On this Easter morning, we give thanks for the gift of resurrection.

Breathe new life into your Church, that we may be faithful in service, courageous in love, and steadfast in hope.

May the light of Christ shine in our hearts and in our communities,

And may we bear witness to the truth that love is stronger than death.

He is risen indeed. Alleluia!

Amen.

Whether you are a lifelong Anglican, a seeker, or someone who has felt on the outside looking in, I invite you to join in the Easter journey. The story is not finished. The stone is rolled away. There is room for you in the new life God is creating.

He is risen. He is risen indeed. Happy Easter!