Churches of Christ in Australia
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The Churches of Christ in Australia is a Christian movement in Australia. It is part of the Restoration Movement with historical influences from the United States of America and the United Kingdom.
The Churches of Christ in Australia are made up of State Conferences which are an association of independent churches who choose to relate at a state and national level. Within this conference structure, individual churches are largely autonomous and operate on a congregational and democratic form of government. Leadership varies in local churches and where there are ministers or pastor they may or may not be formally ordained. Lay people usually play an important part in the worship, mission, governance and management of the church.
Key features of the church's worship are the weekly celebration of the Lord's Supper presided over by a lay person and believer's baptism. The denomination claims to "concentrate on the essential aspects of the Christian faith, allowing for a diversity of understanding with non-essentials."[citation needed] It is active in community services and supporting Christian unity.
Churches of Christ is one of the smaller denominations in Australia, but has a higher attendance ranking. The 2001 Census showed a membership of 61,335. Of the total population of Australia, only 0.3% state religious affiliation with Churches of Christ. This is compared with 69.3% who bear religious affiliation of any Christian denomination. The National Church Life Survey 2001 showed that Churches of Christ had the highest attendance to affiliates percentage. The survey showed a regular estimated attendance of 45,100 (74%). This shows an obvious difference to percentage of identified members regularly attending, when compared to mainstream denominations such as Anglican (5%) and Catholic (15%) churches. Churches of Christ's membership is small, but holding higher attendance.
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[edit] Worship and devotion
Key features are the weekly celebration of the Lord's Supper presided over by a lay person and a commitment to believer's baptism.
[edit] Ministry and mission
The church is active in community services and the ecumenical movement.
National cooperative ministries (which are called 'National Agencies') include Global Mission Partners (formerly the Australian Churches of Christ Overseas Mission Board), the Churches of Christ Theological College, the Australian Churches of Christ Indigenous Ministries, the Defence Force Chaplains Committee, Youth Vision Australia and the National Media and Communications Department.
[edit] Theology and values
The denomination claims to "concentrate on the essential aspects of the Christian faith, allowing for a diversity of understanding with non-essentials."
Theological education and formation occurs at the:
- Churches of Christ Theological College (CCTC), located in Melbourne is the group's national theological college. It's courses are accredited by the Melbourne College of Divinity. CCTC was formerly known as the College of the Bible, and was located at Glen Iris before the Monash Freeway was constructed over where it stood. The college celebrated its centenary in 2007.
- Australian College of Ministries is a joint venture between New South Wales and Queensland Churches of Christ Conferences, and provides training in New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria and Western Australia. It's courses are accredited by the Sydney College of Divinity.
Ordination, which is bestowed by the State Conferences, is open to both men and women.
[edit] History and heritage
It is part of the Restoration Movement with historical influences from the United States of America and the United Kingdom.
There is a Federal Historical Society.
[edit] Structure
The State Conferences are: Victoria and Tasmania, New South Wales, South Australia and the Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia, and the Australian Capital Territory.
The Churches of Christ Provident Fund was established to support paid ministers. Most of its role has been handed over to the non-denominational Christian Super fund.
[edit] Affiliations
- National Council of Churches in Australia
- Melbourne College of Divinity
- Sydney College of Divinity
- World Convention of Churches of Christ
[edit] External links
- Official website
- Churches of Christ Theological College
- Australian College of Ministries
- Global Mission Partners
- Youth Vision Australia
- Vital Publications
- The Australian Christian
- The Christian - Churches of Christ - Disciples of Christ family of Churches have a XVIIth World Convention of Churches of Christ in Nashville, Tennessee in July-August 2008
- [1]
- British web site of early churches of Christ - History web site detailing in Europe churches of Christ before the American RM
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