Christian Reformed Churches of Australia
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| Christian Reformed Churches Of Australia | |
 Christian Reformed Churches Of Australia Logo |
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| Origin | 1951
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| Geographical Area | Australia |
| Statistics | |
| Congregations | 53 |
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, including the Illawarra Christian School, Sutherland Shire Christian School and Covenant College situated in Gordon (ACT). It is actively engaged in Christian missions both within Australia and abroad. One of these is The nsw thing. They have established their own theological college, the Reformed Theological College in Geelong, Victoria. They also own Wedderburn Christian Campsite, a christian campsite in Sydney. They also support SWIM Solomon Islands, which is a missionary outreach working with the Solomon Islands Christian Association.
Senator Eric Abetz is a member of the Kingston Christian Reformed Church.
[edit] Local congregations
The local congregations of this denomination are found in most states and territories of Australia, of which the following is an exhaustive list (May 2008):
- Reformed Church of Canberra - Rivett & Duffy
- Blacktown Christian Reformed Church - Woodcroft
- Christian Reformed Church of Blaxland - Blaxland
- Christian Reformed Church of Dee Why - Dee Why
- Christian Reformed Church of Hawkesbury - Richmond
- Christian Reformed Church of MacArthur - Oran Park
- Christian Reformed Church of Newcastle - Tanilba Bay
- Christian Reformed Church of St Marys - St Marys
- Christian Reformed Church of Sutherland - Lucas Heights
- Christian Reformed Church of Sydney - North Ryde
- Christian Reformed Church of Wamberal - Wamberal
- Christian Reformed Church of Wollongong - Fairy Meadow
- Bray Park Community Church - Bray Park
- Christian Reformed Church of Inala - Inala
- Mansfield Christian Reformed Church - Wishart
- Nerang Community Church - Nerang
- Redlands Christian Reformed Church - Redlands
- Christian Reformed Church of Tivoli - Tivoli
- Christian Reformed Church of Toowoomba - Toowoomba
- Westside Christian Church - Westside
- Campbelltown Christian Reformed Church - Campbelltown
- Christian Reformed Church of Elizabeth - Elizabeth Vale
- Christian Reformed Church of Hallett Cove - Hallett Cove
- Christian Reformed Church of Blackmans Bay - Blackmans Bay
- Christian Reformed Church of Devonport - Devonport
- Christian Reformed Church of Hobart - Howrah
- Kingston Christian Reformed Church - Kingston
- Christian Reformed Church of Launceston - Launceston
- One Way Christian Community - Margate
- Sanctuary Hill Christian Fellowship - Penguin
- Christian Reformed Church of Ulverstone - Ulverstone
- Berwick Reformed Christian Fellowship - Berwick
- Reformed Church of Box Hill - Box Hill
- Reformed Church of Casey - Narre Warren South
- Christian Reformed Church of Cobden - Cobden
- Christian Reformed Church of Dandenong - Dandenong
- Christian Chinese Reformed Church of Dandenong - Dandenong
- Christian Reformed Church of Geelong - Geelong
- Hope in the Hills - Tecoma
- Christian Reformed Church of Langwarrin - Langwarrin
- Mount Evelyn Christian Reformed Church - Mount Evelyn
- Narre Warren Christian Church - Narre Warren
- Christian Reformed Church of South Barwon - Waurn Ponds
- Christian Reformed Church of South Gippsland - Leongatha
- Wantirna Christian Community Church - Wantirna
- Wonga Park Christian Reformed Church - Wonga Park
- Christian Reformed Church of Australind - Australind
- Christian Reformed Church of Gosnells - Gosnells
- Christian Reformed Church of Kalgoorlie - Kalgoorlie
- Christian Reformed Church of Perth - Victoria Park
- Christian Reformed Church of Willetton - Willetton
- Gateway Community Church - Yangebup
- Grace Christian Reformed Church - North Beach
[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.
[edit] External links
- Christian Reformed Churches of Australia website
- Belgic Confession
- Heidelberg Catechism
- Canons of Dordt
- Westminster Confession of Faith
- SWIM Solomon Islands (Short Workshops in Mission)
- Wedderburn Christian Campsite
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