great australian presbyterians
The
Presbyterian Contribution:
A Centenary Colloquium
Presbyterian Church celebrates 100 years
The Presbyterian Church of Australia held its special "Centenary Celebration" and the opening of its General Assembly 2001, in the Sydney Town Hall on Tuesday evening, July 24 at 7.00 pm, exactly 100 years, to the day, from its commencement and in the same venue. The Town Hall was packed with adherents, clergy representing local and overseas denominations with the overflow crowd of church members occupying the nearby St Andrew's Cathedral.
After many months of planning, the Centenary Committee led by the Rev. Robert Benn as Convenor, finally saw the fruition of their plans and endeavours to glorify their Lord.
A Sydney Square program featuring the Scots College Pipe Band had to be postponed and then curtailed, because of a sudden rain downpour. However, they were able to play some stirring Scottish items during a break in the weather. This attracted many passers-by who wanted to know what was happening. In this unique situation, the fact that the Presbyterian Church has now been in Australia for 100 years was a witness to the Lord's faithfulness and grace, which was then portrayed inside the nearby Town Hall.
Special mention was made of the work contributed by Greg Gardiner, CEO of Christian Television Association who came from Brisbane to assist in this special occasion. A video presentation depicted the 100 years during which the Presbyterian Church has had an effect on life in the cities, country areas and amongst the various ethnic and age groups of society.
Commencing with individual Presbyterian settlers in the First Fleet, in 1788, the first "solid stone building with walls two feet thick" was built in 1809 and called "Ebenezer" - the oldest church in the country and still in use today. The first Presbyterian Minister, the Rev. Archibald McArthur was based in Hobart, Tasmania, in 1822, followed by the first minister on the mainland, the Rev. John Dunmore Lang in 1823 in Sydney.
Presbyteries were formed in 1832 (an area now covering New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland); 1835 in Tasmania; 1859 in Victoria with the Presbyterian Church in each state becoming a Synod in its own right. On the 24th July, 1901, leaders and representatives from all states gathered in the Sydney Town Hall for the official inauguration of the Presbyterian Church of Australia. The Right Rev. John Meiklejohn of Melbourne was inducted as the first Moderator General.
When the Uniting Church in Australia was formed in 1977, incorporating the Methodist, Congregational and Presbyterian churches, each Presbyterian Congregation chose whether to join the union. Those who did not join were known as the "continuing Presbyterians" and a smaller, depleted church began a rebuilding process that continues today.
The Very Rev. Bruce Christian, the retiring Moderator General, was interviewed by Naomi Gorton in an endeavour to portray something of the historical achievements over the past 100 years.
"We've come to a deeper and more profound appreciation for the Lord, for His Church and for the Church's ministry over these years," said Mr Christian. "God has been faithful in the past 100 years and I know we can trust Him to be just as faithful for the next 100 years.
"May we become serious about love for each other as we follow Him," said Mr Christian.
A video report was presented from the "21C" national young leaders' development conference which was held from July 21-24, under the theme "Developing Presbyterian Leaders for a new Century". Experienced Christian leaders from all walks of life shared their time and insights as they "looked at the Bible together and reconfirmed their commitment to growing as godly leaders".
The main address in the program was presented by the Rev. Ian Smith, the New Testament lecturer at the Presbyterian Theological Centre in Sydney, who spoke on "The Way Ahead", from Hebrews 12: 1-3. Mr Smith encouraged and challenged those present to "have a more outward focus - particularly in evangelism, church planting and World Mission.
The Korean Choir and a group of musicians presented a variety of musical items.
Following the Centenary Celebration and entertainment program, the official business sessions of the National Assembly were officially opened, led by the Clerk of General Assembly, the Rev. Dr Paul Logan. The highlight was the induction of the Rt Rev. Jack Knapp as the Moderator General, taking over the position from the Very Rev. Bruce Christian who has held that position since 1997.
Overseas guests welcomed included the Rt Rev. J. and Mrs Miller, Moderator of the Church of Scotland; Rev. W. and Mrs Mackay, Moderator of The Free Church of Scotland; Rev. R.F.S. and Mrs Poots, Deputy Clerk of The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland and Rev. Prof. I. Brewars, representing The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand.
Other Australian denominations represented included The Salvation Army, the Uniting Church in Australia, The Roman Catholic Church, The Baptist Union of Australia, The Fellowship of Congregational Churches of Australia, The Lutheran Church of Australia and the Anglican Church.
Mr Ray Hoekzema, President of the NSW Council of Churches and representing The Christian Reformed Churches of Australia, responded on behalf of the various denominations represented and encouraged the Presbyterian Church and its leadership to go forward, glorifying the Lord, as they had done over the past 100 years.
The business sessions of the General Assembly then continued in the Presbyterian Church, Chalmers Street Sydney until Friday July 27.