The Presbyterian Church in NSW, joined with sister Churches in other states to form the Presbyterian Church of Australia 1901. Presbyterianism came to Australia in the nineteenth century from the various Presbyterian churches of Scotland, which in turn, arose from the Protestant Reformation of the sixteenth century. While glad of our Scottish heritage, we continue to follow in a biblical heritage and now strive to be a uniquely Australian Church. The motto of the Presbyterian church is "a reformed church, reforming..". This reminds us that we will never attain to a perfect church, but we need to continue searching the Scriptures and seeking to be more faithful to God's word.
In 1977 many NSW Presbyterians left our denomination to become part of the Uniting Church in Australia. About half the church remained behind, to continue with new vigour on the old foundations. Since that time, the Presbyterian Church in NSW has planted many new parishes, trained many new ministers and rebuilt its wider work. In 1990 there were 163 parishes throughout NSW with some 27,000 members. State wide agencies of the church provide training for ministry at several levels; resources and support for Christian education work and a variety of welfare and counselling services. Several schools, hospitals and aged care facilities are run under the auspices of the church.
Along with other Christian churches, the Presbyterian Church of Australia in NSW upholds historic Christianity as given in the Bible and held through the ages. Thus we believe in one God in the three persons of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. We affirm the real historic events of Jesus' death and resurrection and look to them for forgiveness of sins and a sure hope of eternal life. We see ourselves now as being part of the one true church of Jesus on earth and eagerly look forward to the return of Jesus and His eternal kingdom.
We receive the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament as the Word of God and look to them as the rule of faith and life. The Presbyterian church's understanding of Christianity is summarised in the Westminster Confession of Faith of 1646, as understood in the light of the Declaratory Statement adopted by the Presbyterian Church of Australia in 1901. The Westminster Confession contains what might be called a "reformed" or "Calvinist" outlook. That is, Presbyterians tend to emphasise God's initiative and activity in such important matters as knowing God and being saved.
God's initiative is not taken as lessening the need for human responsibility and action, but rather as meeting the conditions under which the human response is possible. The Declaratory Statement seeks to safeguard the church against misinterpretations of the Confession and acts as an official commentary to it.
The Presbyterian Church is ruled by a series of "Courts", chaired by a Moderator and made up of ministers and elders.
A "Session" or Elders governs the affairs of the local parish. A number of parishes are combined into a regional body called a "Presbytery" and the Presbyteries in turn, are combined into the "NSW General Assembly". The various State Assemblies come together every four years. This is called the "General Assembly of Australia". Each of these courts has distinct functions. Most implement their work through a series of committees.
Presbyterian Elders are elected by the congregations from their adult members. Presbyterian Ministers are "Called" (invited) by the members of local parishes to work in particular places. However, it is the Presbytery which actually installs them in the post and to whom Ministers are answerable.
Both Ministers and Elders take solemn vows affirming their commitment to the Bible, the church's doctrine, government and worship, and committing themselves to their particular ministries. Both are set aside (ordained) to their work as a life-long activity and appointed (inducted) to work in particular places from time to time. Both are expected to set a good Christian example and to participate actively in the life and government of the church.
People are accepted as members of the Presbyterian Church in one of three ways.
Although patterns differ from parish to parish, in most churches new members are asked to make a profession of their faith in the service similar to the following form:
Q.Do you confess your faith in God as your heavenly Father, in Jesus Christ as your Saviour and Lord, and in the Holy Spirit as your Sanctifier?
A. I do
Q.Do you promise, in dependence on divine grace, to serve the Lord and to walk in His ways all the days of your life?
A. I do
Q.Do you promise to make diligent use of the means of grace, to share dutifully in the worship of the Church, submitting yourself to her authority and guidance, and to give of your substance, as the Lord may prosper you, for the advancement of His Kingdom throughout the world?
A. I do.
The first vow is concerned with personal faith in Jesus Christ. Unless a person can unreservedly declare themselves a Christian they are not yet ready for full church membership. Status as an "adherent" may be more appropriate to those who are not sure about this.
The second vow deals with persistence as a Christian. The responsibilities of church membership are such as to belong to people of proven and mature Christian character, that is, people who are serious about living with Jesus as their Lord in the long term.
The third vow deals with the member's relationship to the church. It includes such matters as coming to church services and meetings, accepting the leadership and authority of the "courts" and sharing in the church's activities through giving time, talents and money to God's work.
Members of the church share in choosing a new ministers for their parish, and are eligible for election as elders and participate in congregational meetings. Beyond these formal roles, they are encouraged to serve in the local congregation and the wider church as time, talents and opportunities present themselves. This may include leading a Bible study, being a member of the Committee of Management (a body with local responsibility for finances and property), teaching Sunday School, visiting the frail or ill, sharing their faith, or representing their church in a wider forum. There is certainly no shortage of opportunities for service by church members.
Members are not obliged to give any particular sum to the church, although they are encouraged to follow the Bible's commendation of generous, cheerful and proportionate giving. The amount given to the Lord's work ought to be between the giver and God himself (Matthew 6:3). Join us in the work and celebration of the Gospel.
