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About WPCBC About Westminster Presbyterians 4. History of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Australia
About WPCBC About Westminster Presbyterians 4. History of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Australia
| 4. History of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Australia |
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HISTORY OF THE WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN AUSTRALIA PRESBYTERIANISM STARTS To understand the background of the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Australia we need to start with the reformation. Presbyterianism traces its origins to the Protestant Reformation movement in the 16th century, specifically in France, Germany, England, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Scotland. John Knox worked in Geneva with John Calvin who was a key player in the reformation in Europe both as a preacher and writer. John Knox when he returned to Scotland, was recognised as a leader of the reformation. The style of church life, worship and theology advocated by John Knox spread throughout Scotland and took the name ‘Presbyterianism’. The word ‘Presbyterianism’ was used as it reflected church rule by ‘presbyters’ (elders). The foundational belief of this new movement of God was found in the Westminster Confession of Faith (1647) which although having its foundations in Anglicanism in England was seen as expressing reformed faith clearly. The church was started with a strong emphasis on the sovereignty of God, Scripture alone, and Justification by grace through faith and government by eldership. As a movement it grow rapidly in Scotland and as followed Scottish settlers to many new homes and countries. PRESBYTERIANISM ARRIVES IN AUSTRALIA In 1788 when the First Fleet arrived in Sydney it included some Presbyterians, but it was not until 1802 that free Presbyterian settlers began Presbyterian congregations; then in Victoria in 1837, South Australia in 1839, Queensland in 1847 and in Western Australia in 1868. Presbyterianism in Australia reflected the conflicts in Scotland and Australia had more than one denomination who called itself Presbyterian. Many of these conflicts can be linked to the growth of liberal belief in Scotland. In July 1901, a national Presbyterian union was formally instituted in Australia. At the time, 11.3% of the population in Australia described themselves as Presbyterians. This made it the fourth largest church in Australia after Anglican, Catholic and Methodist. However the main Presbyterian Church though the impact of liberalism had declined by 1976 to 6.6 per cent of the population. In 1977 it was one of the three main churches who created the Uniting church of Australia. Due to the voting structure only 69% of the Presbyterian churches membership and 64% of the Presbyterian congregations joined the Uniting Church. Many of those who stayed out of the union were either reformed or evangelical but also included a number of those who had a strong commitment to Scottish heritage. The actual union of the Uniting Church was achieved after decades of negotiations and it was during this time that a number of Presbyterians withdrew to create independent Presbyterian churches or small Presbyterian denominations. THE EARLY FOUNDATIONS THAT LED TO THE WESTMINISTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH In 1949 Mary Jones who was the daughter of an evangelical Presbyterian minister, went to minister to Aboriginal people in Western Australia. As the work grew Mary Jones sought help from the World Presbyterian Mission. In response the World Presbyterian Mission sent David and Barbara Cross to Western Australia to work in Brookton in 1970. As the Presbyterian Church Australia was drawing closer to union it left a number of strong Presbyterian Bible believers in Perth without a reformed spiritual home. This resulted in the desire to start a Bible teaching programme in Perth. This ultimately led to the formation of the first Westminster Presbyterian Church in Perth WA. WESTMINISTER PRESBYTERIAN LINKS TO AMERICA To gain greater understanding of the next step we need to go to Mary Jones birth place of the USA. In North America a similar problem existed in the Presbyterian Church-USA, that of liberalism and rejection of core reformed values. This led to the creation of a new Presbyterian denomination in the USA that was organised in December 1973 on reformed values. The new denomination took the name ‘Presbyterian Church in America’ (PCA) in 1974. This new denomination started with 260 congregations with a combined communicant membership of over 41,000. Since its foundation the Presbyterian Church America has been one of the faster growing denominations in the United States, with over 1,450 churches and missions throughout the USA and Canada. There were over 306,000 communicant and non communicant members as of December 2000. From the beginning the Presbyterian Church America made a firm commitment to the doctrinal standards of the Westminster Confession of Faith. It also had a strong commitment to evangelism, missionary work at home and abroad and in 1982 the World Presbyterian Missions (WPM) became part of Mission to the World (MTW) of the Presbyterian Church of America. The Mission to the World renewed its commitment to assist in planting Westminster Presbyterian churches in Australia. One of the blessings in Australia has been its commitment to provide missionaries and church planters. During the growth of the Westminster Presbyterian Church a number of locally grown Australians either from within the movement or from other reformed denominations have become part of the paid staff of local congregations. The church is now a mixture of Australian and overseas teaching elders who have maintained a strong commitment to Reformed Presbyterian Faith. SISTER MINISTRIES Spinifex Ministries 2002 · Was started by Phil & Cathy Stuart had while in MMM seeing the need for a personal, pastoral care ministry. The Ministries is a support to evangelical Christian missions, individuals and churches that are ministering to Aboriginal people or to people in remote and isolated areas of Australia. 2003 · Phil was appointed as the “Pastoral Assistant” at the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Kelmscott, WA. 2004 · In March 2004, Phil was ordained as a Minister of the Westminster Presbyterian Church. ................................... SOME KEY EVENTS AND DATES WESTERN AUSTRALIA 1949 Miss Mary Jones, daughter of an evangelical Presbyterian minister, went to minister to Aboriginal people in the country districts of Brookton, 180km east of Perth, WA. Miss Jones asks for assistance from World Presbyterian Mission. 1970 · After calls for assistance, World Presbyterian Mission sends David and Barbara Cross to Western Australia to work in Brookton. · Request by some concerned Presbyterians and other Christians (Andrew Priddle et al) to David Cross to lead a Bible study in Perth. The Bible study group grows and eventually results in the first congregation of WPC in Caversham, a north-eastern suburb of Perth. The congregation later moves to Koongamia (Perth) and is pastored by Warren Myers. Years later (1978) the church moves to Maida Vale under the pastoral care of Derek Jones. · The Brookton congregation becomes known as Calvary Presbyterian Church (WPC). 1976 · Bullcreek congregation (Perth) is started by David Cross. 1977-79 · The beginnings of the Westminster Theological College (WTC) in WA. WTC is now located at Bull Creek. 1979 · Kelmscott (Perth) congregation is begun by Peter Adamson, from Sydney, who had studied at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. 1980 · Ron Nugent moves from Adelaide to serve the WPC Calvary Presbyterian Church in Brookton, where he remains until 1982. 1982 · World Presbyterian Missions (WPM) becomes part of Mission to the World (MTW) of the Presbyterian Church of America. MTW renews commitment by agreement to assist WPC plant WPC churches in Australia. 1983 · Bob Scott begins Covenant Church in Dianella, a suburb north of Perth, which later moves to Lockridge and the n finally Beechboro. · Roger Wilson is ordained to the pastoral ministry at Kingsley (formally in Duncraig in Perth). 1987 · Rob Calderwood is ordained as Teaching Elder Kelmscott WPC, Perth. 1989 · Mandurah WPC begins in south of Perth with Barry Swann. 1994 · Bullcreek WPC does a building program 1996 · All Nations Presbyterian Church began in 1996 when a group of twenty Christians began meeting together in Central Perth and since have grown into a congregation of all ages and from many nations. QUEENSLAND 1981 The beginning of WPC in Queensland - Redbank Plains congregation is started by Oliver Claassen who is from World Presbyterian Missions. 1983 The Queensland team begin the Sunshine Coast WPC with the help of the Burnett other families. Sam Larsen becomes organising pastor for the Sunshine Coast. 1987 A Queensland Presbytery is formed with 3 congregations - Buderim (Sunshine Coast), Redbank Plains (Brisbane), and Centenary Suburbs. 1989 Indooroopilly WPC begins in Brisbane. NSW 1985 · Oliver Claassen begins Cranebrook Community Church, an outer western suburb of Sydney. 1986 · Steve Schoof, Scott Kroeger and Kip Slawter arrived in Penrith from MTW to assist WPC in planting Nepean WPC and Lakes WPC Churches. 2003 David Hall comes to work Part time at Nepean 2005 · Rob Lamont comes to work full time at Nepean Valley - David and Wendy Hall head to Mongolia as missionaries with Pioneers (Oct) CANBERRA 1988 · Belconnen WPC begins in the northern suburbs of Canberra with Steve Schoof and Donald de Vries. 1989 · Tuggeranong WPC begins in the southern suburbs of Canberra with Steve Schoof, as a second preaching point in the ACT. NATIONAL · 1990 First WPC Synod held in Perth. THEOLOGICAL TRAINING Trinity’s faculty and support staff has also seen growth, from three full time lecturers and one support staff member in 1997 to four full time lecturers, three full time support staff, and a large body of part time lecturers in 2004. Trinity is also supported by a large body of volunteers (see How Can I help? for more information). 1977-79 · The beginnings of the Westminster Theological College (WTC) in WA. 1990 · Stephen Rarig Comes USA to become the Principal · WTC is relocates to Bull Creek. 1997 · Trinity Theological College was formed in 1997 as the result of a merger between the Westminster Theological College (WTC) and the Perth Centre for Applied Christian Studies (PCACS). Beginning in 1997 by offering the Diploma and Advanced Diploma of Theology, the College has since added the Bachelor of Ministries, Bachelor of Theology, Graduate Diploma in Bible and Ministry, and the Master of Divinity 2004 · May 2004 Trinity moved into new premises. Our new home is a purpose-designed air-conditioned building that provides for all student requirements. The building is located near the Perth CBD Today · Current Don West is Principal and Stephen Rarig is now Vice Principal Queensland 1977 The Queensland Presbyterian Theological College continued as the training college of that continuing Presbyterian Church after the Uniting Church was formed 1987 The Westminster Theological College came into being as a result of decisions made by the Presbytery of Queensland of the Westminster Presbyterian Church. The College's primary purpose has been the training of men for pastoral ministry for the Westminster Presbyterian Church. 1999 The Consortium of Reformed Colleges was formed with an agreement between the Westminster Theological College and the Queensland Presbyterian Theological College .Together the two colleges have worked together to add a good range of accredited courses to the curriculum and have continued to see the Consortium grow steadily with classes in Brisbane and in regional centres throughout Queensland. ................................. SOURCES WEBSITES Presbyterianism: A Brief History http://nsw.uca.org.au/presbyterian100/history.htm A Brief History Presbyterian Church in America http://www.pcanet.org/general/history.htm Westminster Presbyterian Website http://www.pastornet.net.au/wpc Nepean Valley Church Trinity College http://www.trinity.wa.edu.au Consortium of Reformed colleges http://www.crc.pcq.org.au/who.html Spinifex Ministries http://www.spinifexministries.org.au/ BOOKS ‘The Uniting Church in Australia’ by Peter Bentley and Philip J. Hughes, Australian Government Publishing Service, 1996 ‘Many Faiths One Nation: A Guide to the Major Faiths and Denominations in Australia’, ed. Ian Gillman, Collins 1988 |