Christian Reformed Churches of Australia
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The Christian Reformed Churches of Australia is a Christian denomination established in Australia belonging to the Reformed/Presbyterian tradition.
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[edit] Background
This denomination has its roots in the European Reformation of the 15th and 16th centuries, affirming the beliefs that God grants salvation by grace alone, in Christ alone and through faith alone.
The denomination is part of the worldwide family of reformed churches which came into being at the time of the Reformation, and declared themselves reformed from the teachings and practices of the Roman Catholic Church at that time. Whereas Martin Luther was the champion of the Reformation in Germany, John Calvin was the champion of the Reformation in Switzerland, Holland and northern Europe. It is John Calvin's understanding of the Bible, as spelled out in his Institutes of the Christian Religion, that forms the doctrinal basis of the various reformed churches.
This doctrinal basis is further summarised in the three Confessions to which the continental reformed churches adhere:
And by the Confession to which the British presbyterian churches adhere:
This denomination was established by Dutch migrants in 1951. The original small group has grown to an active membership of more than ten thousand in over fifty churches spread throughout Australia. From exclusively Dutch beginnings, it is now a culturally diverse group, reflecting the character of Australian society, and is seeking to proclaim the Christian message in a contemporary and relevant way.
The denomination has been instrumental in the establishment of many Christian schools. They have established their own theological college, the Reformed Theological College at Geelong, Victoria. It is actively engaged in Christian missions both within Australia and abroad. One of these is The nsw thing.
Senator Eric Abetz is an elder of the Kingston Christian Reformed Church.
[edit] Local churches
The local churches of this denomination are found in most states and territories of Australia, of which the following is an exhaustive list (2007):
- Blacktown Christian Reformed Church
- Christian Reformed Church of Blaxland
- Christian Reformed Church of Dee Why
- Christian Reformed Church of Hawkesbury
- Christian Reformed Church of Liverpool
- Christian Reformed Church of Newcastle
- Christian Reformed Church of Newcastle
- Christian Reformed Church of St Marys
- Christian Reformed Church of Sutherland
- Christian Reformed Church of Sydney
- Christian Reformed Church of Wamberal
- Christian Reformed Church of Wollongong
- Bray Park Community Church
- Christian Reformed Church of Inala
- Mansfield Christian Reformed Church
- Nerang Community Church
- Redlands Christian Reformed Church
- Christian Reformed Church of Tivoli
- Christian Reformed Church of Toowoomba
- Westside Christian Church
- Campbelltown Christian Reformed Church
- Christian Reformed Church of Elizabeth
- Christian Reformed Church of Devonport
- Christian Reformed Church of Hobart
- Kingston Christian Reformed Church
- Christian Reformed Church of Launceston
- One Way Christian Community
- Sanctuary Hill Christian Fellowship
- Christian Reformed Church of Ulverstone
- Reformed Church of Box Hill
- Christian Reformed Church of Cobden
- Christian Reformed Church of Geelong
- Mount Evelyn Christian Reformed Church
- Christian Reformed Church of South Barwon
- Wantirna Christian Community Church
- Wonga Park Christian Reformed Church
- Berwick Reformed Christian Fellowship
- Reformed Church of Casey
- Christian Reformed Church of Dandenong
- Christian Chinese Reformed Church of Dandenong
- Christian Reformed Church of Langwarrin
- Narre Warren Christian Church
- Christian Reformed Church of South Gippsland
- Christian Reformed Church of Tecoma
- Christian Reformed Church of Australind
- Christian Reformed Church of Gosnells
- Christian Reformed Church of Perth
- Christian Reformed Church of Willetton
- Gateway Community Church
- Grace Christian Reformed Church
[edit] References
A Church en Route: 40 Years Reformed Churches of Australia by J.W. Deenick (ed), Reformed Churches Publishing House, Geelong (Vic) 1991.
Religious Bodies in Australia: A Comprehensive Guide (3rd ed) by Rowland Ward and Robert Humphreys, New Melbourne Press, Melbourne (Vic) 1995.
