Presbyterian Church of Australia
Logo of the Presbyterian Church of Australia
Classification	Protestant
Orientation	Reformed evangelical
Polity	Presbyterian
Origin	24 July 1901, Sydney
Merge of	Presbyterian Churches of New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and Western Australia.
Separations	1967 Presbyterian Reformed Church, 1977 Uniting Church in Australia
Geographical Area	Australia
Statistics
Congregations	600
Members	54,000
Source: The Key: 2006 Yearbook and Church Directory.

The Presbyterian Church of Australia is the largest Presbyterian denomination in Australia. (The larger Uniting Church in Australia includes some congregations that were formerly Presbyterian). Christian doctrine redirects here. ... Ecclesiastical polity is the operational and governance structure of a church or Christian denomination. ... This article is about the metropolitan area in Australia. ... Church union is the name given to a merger of two or more Christian denominations. ... The Presbyterian Reformed Church was formed in Australia in 1967 as a result of a growing trend of theological liberalism within the mainstream Presbyterian Church. ... Logo of the UCA The Uniting Church in Australia (UCA) was formed on June 22, 1977 when the Methodist Church of Australasia, Presbyterian Church of Australia and Congregational Union of Australia came together under the Basis of Union document. ... For the architectural structure, see Church (building). ... Presbyterianism is part of the Reformed churches family of denominations of Christian Protestantism based on the teachings of John Calvin which traces its institutional roots to the Scottish Reformation, especially as led by John Knox. ... Logo of the UCA The Uniting Church in Australia (UCA) was formed on June 22, 1977 when the Methodist Church of Australasia, Presbyterian Church of Australia and Congregational Union of Australia came together under the Basis of Union document. ...

Beginnings

See also: Basis of Union (Presbyterian Church of Australia)

Presbyterian Christianity came to Australia with the arrival of Presbyterians from different Presbyterian denominations in Great Britain at the end of the 18th Century. (17th century - 18th century - 19th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 18th century refers to the century that lasted from 1701 through 1800. ...

The Presbyterian Church of Australia was formed when Presbyterian Churches from various Australian states federated in 1901. The churches that formed the Presbyterian Church of Australia were the Presbyterian Churches of New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and Western Australia. These state churches were incorporated by Act of Parliament for property holding purposes. Year 1901 (MCMI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Monday [1] of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ...

Church Union

See also: Basis of Union (Uniting Church in Australia)

In 1977 the two-thirds of the Presbyterian Church of Australia, the Congregational Union of Australia, and the Methodist Church of Australasia joined to form the Uniting Church in Australia. Much of the third that did not join the Uniting Church did not agree with its liberal views, although a number remained because of cultural connections. The Basis of Union (often termed the BoU) is the document which formed the basis on which most congregations of the Congregational Union of Australia, Methodist Church of Australasia and Presbyterian Church of Australia united to form the Uniting Church in Australia (UCA) in 1977. ... Also: 1977 (album) by Ash. ... The Congregational Union of Australia was a congregational denomination in Australia. ... The Methodist Church of Australiasia was a Methodist denomination based in Australia. ... Logo of the UCA The Uniting Church in Australia (UCA) was formed on June 22, 1977 when the Methodist Church of Australasia, Presbyterian Church of Australia and Congregational Union of Australia came together under the Basis of Union document. ... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Wycliffe Tyndale · Luther · Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Pope · Archbishop of Canterbury Patriarch of Constantinople Christianity Portal This box:      Liberal Christianity, sometimes called...

The Presbyterian Church of Australia’s official web site stated that the church has over 50,000 adults and children within its communion, more than 600 ministers, deaconesses and theological students, and 740 congregations.

At the last Commonwealth census (2001) nearly 720,000 people describes themselves as being Presbyterian. This makes Presbyterianism Australia’s fourth largest denomination, although not all Presbyterians are members of the Presbyterian Church of Australia. See also List of Presbyterian Denominations in Australia. Year 2001 (MMI) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 2001 Gregorian calendar). ... Evangelical Presbyterian Church Presbyterian Church of Australia Presbyterian Church of Eastern Australia Presbyterian Reformed Church Reformed Presbyterian Church of Australia Westminster Presbyterian Church Australian Free Church Southern Presbyterian Church Categories: Presbyterianism | Christian denominations ...

Church organisations

The Presbyterian Church of Australia’s missionary organisation is Mission Partners, formerly the Australia Presbyterian World Mission. This organisation has more than 170 cross-cultural missionaries.

The Presbyterian Church of Australia has established Arabic, Chinese, Cook Islands, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Samoan and Sudanese congregations, as well as a Deaf Presbyterian Church. For other uses, see Arab (disambiguation). ... This article discusses the way the word deaf is used and how deafness is perceived by hearing and Deaf communities. ...

The Presbyterian Inland Mission continues the work of the Australian Inland Mission founded by John Flynn in 1912. Padres patrol outback Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia and Western Australia, and hopes to expand into the Northern Territory and Tasmania when resources become available. The Presbyterian Inland Mission is the successor in the Presbyterian Church of Australia to the work of the Australian Inland Mission, founded by Rev. ... The Australian Presbyterian Mission was founded by the Presbyterian Church of Australia to reach those beyond the furthest fence with Gods Word. ... John Flynn could refer to one of several people: The Reverend John Flynn, founder of the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia John Flynn, the director of a number of Hollywood movies such as Rolling Thunder. ... 1912 (MCMXII) was a leap year starting on Monday in the Gregorian calendar (or a leap year starting on Tuesday in the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... For other uses, see Outback (disambiguation). ... Slogan or Nickname: Sunshine State, Smart State Motto(s): Audax at Fidelis (Bold but Faithful) Other Australian states and territories Capital Brisbane Government Constitutional monarchy Governor Quentin Bryce Premier Anna Bligh (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 28  - Senate seats 12 Gross State Product (2004-05)  - Product ($m)  $158,506 (3rd... NSW redirects here. ... For the song, see South Australia (song). ... Slogan or Nickname: Wildflower State or the Golden State Other Australian states and territories Capital Perth Government Constitutional monarchy Governor Ken Michael Premier Alan Carpenter (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 15  - Senate seats 12 Gross State Product (2005-06)  - Product ($m)  $107,910 (4th)  - Product per capita  $53,134/person... For similar terms, see Northern Territories (disambiguation) Slogan or Nickname: The Territory, The NT, The Top End Motto(s): none Other Australian states and territories Capital Darwin Government Constitutional monarchy Administrator Ted Egan Chief Minister Clare Martin (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 2  - Senate seats 2 Gross Territorial Product (2004... Slogan or Nickname: Island of Inspiration; The Apple Isle; Holiday Isle Motto(s): Ubertas et Fidelitas (Fertility and Faithfulness) Other Australian states and territories Capital Hobart Government Constitutional monarchy Governor William Cox Premier Paul Lennon (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 5  - Senate seats 12 Gross State Product (2004-05)  - Product...

The Presbyterian Church of Australia publishes the monthly Australian Presbyterian magazine, and provides social and educational services.

Schools

The following schools have links with or are run by the Presbyterian Church of Australia. The closeness and formality of association varies.

Australian Capital Territory

• Covenant College, Tuggeranong

Location of Tuggeranong Tuggeranong Town Centre is located on Lake Tuggeranong Tuggeranong is the southernmost town centre of Canberra, the capital city of Australia. ...

New South Wales

• Cooerwull Academy, Lithgow (Now closed)
• Presbyterian Ladies College, Armidale
• Presbyterian Ladies' College, Sydney, Croydon
• The Scots College, Sydney
• The Scots School, Bathurst
• St Andrews Christian School, Grafton [1]

The Cooerwull Academy is a defunct Presbyterian day and boarding school for boys located in Lithgow, New South Wales, Australia. ... Lithgow is a city of approximately 18750 persons situated in central-west New South Wales, Australia and is also a Local Government Area. ... For other schools of the same name, see Presbyterian Ladies College. ... Not to be confused with Armadale. ... The Presbyterian Ladies College, Sydney (P.L.C. Sydney), is an independent, Presbyterian, day and boarding school for girls, located in Croydon, an inner-western suburb of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. ... Croydon is a suburb in the inner-west of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. ... For other schools with a similar name see Scots College. ... This is about the city of Sydney in Australia. ... The Scots School, Bathurst, is an independent school with campuses in Bathurst and Lithgow, New South Wales. ... Bathurst is a regional centre in the state of New South Wales, Australia approximately 200km west of Sydney and is the seat of the Bathurst Regional Council Local Government Area. ... </ref> | est = 1851 | elevation = 5 | maxtemp = 25. ...

Queensland

• Fairholme College, Toowoomba

The following schools in Queensland are conducted by
the Presbyterian and Methodist Schools Association. Fairholme College is an independent, day and boarding school for girls in Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia. ... Toowoomba (also known as the The Garden City) is a city in South East Queensland, Australia. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Presbyterian and Methodist Schools’ Association. ...

• Brisbane Boys' College, Toowong
• Clayfield College, Clayfield
• Somerville House, South Brisbane

Brisbane Boys College (BBC), founded in 1902, is an all boys school located in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. ... The commercial centre of Toowong contains several commercial buildings, including the Toowong Village office tower (background) which contains the Toowong Village shopping centre. ... Clayfield College is an independent, Uniting Church and Presbyterian, day and boarding school predominantly for girls, located in Clayfield, an inner-northern suburb of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. ... Clayfield is a prestigious inner-northern suburb of Brisbane, located approximately 5 km from the citys CBD. External Links ourbrisbane. ... Somerville House is an independent, boarding and day school for girls and is located in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. ... South Brisbane is an inner city suburb of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. ...

Victoria

• Belgrave Heights Christian School, Belgrave Heights
• King's College, Warrnambool
• Presbyterian Ladies College, Burwood
• St Andrew's Christian College, Burwood
• Scotch College, Hawthorn

Belgrave Heights is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. ... Kings College, Warrnambool, is an independent Christian school located in Warrnambool, Victoria. ... Warrnambool is a regional city of around 32,000 people on the south-western coast of Victoria, Australia, located in the municipality City of Warrnambool. ... Presbyterian Ladies College (P.L.C), Melbourne, is an independent girls school in Burwood, Victoria, Australia. ... Burwood is a suburb of Melbourne, Australia, in the state of Victoria. ... For other schools named Scotch College, see Scotch College. ... Hawthorn is a residential suburb of Melbourne, Australia, in the state of Victoria. ...

Theological Colleges

The Presbyterian church operates the Presbyterian Theological Centre, Sydney, Presbyterian Theological College, Melbourne and Prezra, a Bible college in Adelaide. Along with the Queensland Presbytery of the Westminster Presbyterian Church, it jointly administers the Queensland Theological College (formerly the Consortium of Reformed Colleges) in Brisbane. The Presbyterian Theological Centre is the theological college of the Presbyterian Church of Australia in New South Wales. ... Presbyterian Theological College is a Presbyterian college in Victoria Australia, New South Wales. It was founded in 1866 as The Theological Hall of the Presbyterian Church of Victoria. The university trains men and women in all forms of Presbyterian ministry. ... For other uses, see Adelaide (disambiguation). ... The Westminster Presbyterian Church of Australia is a small but growing Presbyterian denomination in Australia. ...

Beliefs

Crest of the Presbyterian Church of Australia

Ministers and elders of the Presbyterian Church of Australia are required to agree to the Westminster Confession of Faith as their subordinate authority under the Bible. The Westminster Confession of Faith is a Reformed confession of faith, in the Calvinist theological tradition. ...

"Along with other true Christian churches, the Presbyterian Church believes that the Bible is the infallible Word of God. As a result of this commitment to the Bible, we uphold the historic Christian faith.

• We believe in one God in the Trinity of the three persons of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
• We affirm the real historical events of Christ’s birth, life, death, resurrection and future return. We look to Him for the forgiveness of sins and eternal life.
• We submit to the Scriptures as the final authority in all matters of faith and conduct.
• We seek to live in obedience to the Great Commandment of the Lord Jesus Christ: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and soul and mind and strength, and love your neighbour as yourself’; and we endeavour to fulfil the Great Commission: ‘Go into all the world and preach the Gospel.’

The Presbyterian Church is a Reformed and Evangelical denomination whose understanding of Christianity is set out in the Westminster Confession of Faith. So we stress, as the Bible does, God’s initiative in people becoming Christian believers. This stance does not lead to a lessening of human responsibility before God nor does it take away from the importance of mission and evangelism, but rather establishes the conditions under which true human response to Christ can take place. The Presbyterian Church does not claim to be the only true church. We see ourselves as forming one small part of the Body of the Lord Jesus Christ and we seek to have fellowship wherever we can with fellow Christians who share with us a common loyalty to ‘the faith that was once and for all delivered to the saints’ (Jude verse 3)."

(Welcome to the Presbyterian Church, GAA Christian Education Committee of the Presbyterian Church of Australia.)

Church Government

Main article: Presbyterian polity

The Presbyterian Church of Australia is ruled, under God, by elders, or presbyters. Presbyterian Churches recognize two types of elders: teaching elders (ministers), and ruling elders. These elders meet at a local level in the Kirk Session. Only ordained ministers may preside at communion, or the Lord’s Supper, except in the rare circumstance where the Presbytery licenses a ruling elder to do so. Likewise, only a minister can administer baptism. A Board or Committee of Management handles the material concerns of the local congregation. Deacons may also be elected to provide practical care. Presbyterian governance of a church is typified by the rule of assemblies of presbyters, or elders. ... A religious elder (in Greek, πρεσβυτερος [presbyteros]) is valued for his or her wisdom, in part for their age, on the grounds that the older one is then the more one is likely to know. ... Communion, more widely known as the Eucharist, is the rite that Christians perform in fulfillment of Jesuss instruction, as recounted in the New Testament (Luke 22:19; 1 Corinthians 11:24-25), to do in memory of him what at his Last Supper he did when he gave his... This article is about the Christian religious act of Baptism. ...

The minister and an elder from each parish have a seat at their regional presbytery and at their state's General Assembly. The General Assembly of Australia (GA of A), composed of commissioners from each presbytery and state assembly, meets every three years. Every year, each state's General Assembly elects a Moderator, while the General Assembly of Australia elects a Moderator General for a three year term. The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland is an honorary role, held for 12 months. ...

Notable Australian Presbyterians

Further information: List of notable Australian Presbyterians

Parishes

This is an incomplete list of the 600 or so congregregations of this denomination.

• Tuggeranong Presbyterian Church
• Scots' Church, Melbourne
• Chinese Presbyterian Church
• Port Macquarie Presbyterian Church
• St Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Wingham

The Scots Church, Melbourne The Scots Church, a Presbyterian church in Melbourne, Australia, was the first Presbyterian Church to be built in the Port Phillip District (now the state of Victoria). ... There are very few or no other articles that link to this one. ... The Port Macquarie Presbyterian Church is located in the Australian coastal town of Port Macquarie, New South Wales. ... St Andrews Presbyterian Church, Wingham is the main centre of the Wingham Upper Manning Parish in the Presbyterian Church of Australia, the other remaining centre is St Thomas Presbyterian Church, Krambach. ...

See also

• List of Presbyterian Denominations in Australia
• Presbyterian polity
• Australian Inland Mission
• Uniting Church in Australia
• Basis of Union

Evangelical Presbyterian Church Presbyterian Church of Australia Presbyterian Church of Eastern Australia Presbyterian Reformed Church Reformed Presbyterian Church of Australia Westminster Presbyterian Church Australian Free Church Southern Presbyterian Church Categories: Presbyterianism | Christian denominations ... Presbyterian governance of a church is typified by the rule of assemblies of presbyters, or elders. ... The Australian Presbyterian Mission was founded by the Presbyterian Church of Australia to reach those beyond the furthest fence with Gods Word. ... Logo of the UCA The Uniting Church in Australia (UCA) was formed on June 22, 1977 when the Methodist Church of Australasia, Presbyterian Church of Australia and Congregational Union of Australia came together under the Basis of Union document. ... The Basis of Union (often termed the BoU) is the document which formed the basis of the union of the Congregational, Methodist and Presbyterian churches of Australia to form the Uniting Church in Australia (UCA) in 1977. ...

External links

• Official website of the Presbyterian Church of Australia
• The Presbyterian Church of Australia in New South Wales
• The Presbyterian Church of Queensland
• The Presbyterian Church of Victoria