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 affialiates 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 main stream 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 the Australian Churches of Christ Overseas Mission Board, 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 occurs at the:
- Churches of Christ Theological College (CCTC), located in Melbourne it is the National College for the Australian Churches of Christ, accredited by the Melbourne College of Divinity.
- Australian College of Ministries - a joint venture between New South Wales and Queensland Churches of Christ Conferences accredited by the Sydney College of Divinity providing training in New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria and Western Australia.
Most new ministers do not train at these colleges, they instead choosing to study elsewhere. This is particuarly the case for initiates under the age of forty. Ordination, which is bestowed by the State Conferences, is open to both men and women, although not all churches would accept a woman minister.
[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] Bibliography
[edit] External links
- Official website
- Churches of Christ Theological College
- Australian College of Ministries
- Australian Churches of Christ Overseas Mission Board Inc.
- 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.
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