History and Witness of Churches of Christ
There are many theological and Ministry training institutions in Western Australia, but few of them are able to ground trained people for ministry in what it means to be a part of this movement within the mainstream church, known in this country as Churches of Christ. With very high transportability between churches and denominations, there is a danger of losing that distinctive that gave rise to Churches of Christ in Britain, the United States and thence Australia. The Association of Churches of Christ in Western Australia has therefore deemed that in order to be ordained and acquire religious celebrant status within this state that, amongst other requirements, candidates need to complete a two day reading and seminar style short course on the History and Witness of Churches of Christ.
The course will normally run once per year, but may run a second time depending on need. The next course is proposed for December 2010, by mutual agreement of participants. It will be held in the conference room of the Churches of Christ head office, Plantation St, Menora, from 9.00am to 4.00pm each day. No enrolments will be taken prior to two weeks in advance of the course, as there is substantial pre reading to complete, without which you will waste your own time and those of the other participants who have done the necessary preparation. Download an enrolment form.
Indicative course structure:
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Day 1 |
Topics |
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0915 - 1045 |
Roots · Stone-Campbell roots and the fertile ground of revival.· Mission/Evangelism and a desire for Unity · Some foundational documents and Slogans |
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1100 – 12.30 |
Word of God Interpretation of the BiblePreachers |
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1315 - 1445 |
Panel 1 Panels introduce participants to between 6 and 8 leaders within our structure and associated agencies in order to give a feel for the wider work of Churches of Christ in WA Inc.. |
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1500 - 1600 |
Baptism · Believer’s Baptism by immersion. The Stone-Campbell standpoint.· What about baptism in other traditions? · What about the children? · Baptism and membership – are they connected? |
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Day 2 |
Topics |
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0915 - 1045 |
Lord’s Supper · The Stone Campbell standpoint.· Centrality? · Leadership and appropriateness. · What about the children? |
|
1100 – 1230 |
Ministry and Ordination · Stone-Campbell stand point.· Congregational autonomy – strengths and weaknesses · Ordination Denominational Structure |
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1315 -1445 |
Panel 2 · To be advised |
|
1500 - 1600 |
Ministry and Governance · Women in ministry· Ministry/eldership/leadership · Priesthood of all believers – fact or fiction? |
The reader, posted below, must be read prior to the commencement of the course. This is essential, as it is predominantly a reading course.
On the first day of the Course, you will hand in a 1500 word essay related to a particular issue within our history.
The Essay Topics link is on the side bar. (or click here) 4 topics have been listed, you may choose any one of the four.
Please read the instructions for the essay.... they are important, you will be assessed accordingly!
Completion of the essay by the start date is essential to your successful completion of this unit of study.
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The reader This will not be sent to you, but is an on line resource. |
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A chronology and introduction to the Stone Campbell movement compiled by Jim Longbottom, May 2006 |
1. Churches of Christ in Western Australia, Keith Bowes revised 2004 |
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The milieu of the birth of the movement, A letter from Colonel Patterson, 1801 |
2. Churches of Christ work Together, Keith Bowes 2004 |
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Passion - The Last Will and Testimony of the Springfield Presbytery, 1804 |
3. Membership in Churches of Christ, Keith Bowes, revised 2003 |
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An extract from the Declaration and Address by Thomas Campbell, 1809. |
4. The Lord's Supper in Contemporary worship, Keith Bowes, revised 2003 |
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Encyclopedia article on Disciples of Christ - Alexander Campbell, 1838 |
5. Extracts from "The Christian System, Alexander Campbell, 1839 |
| 6. Communion, Graeme Chapman, 1998 - large PDF | |
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8 The Stone Campbell Movement - The Movement faces the 21st Century, Leroy Garrett, 1994 - large PDF |
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There are many other valuable resources available.
The recently published Encyclopedia of the Stone Campbell Movement by Eerdmans, 2004 is a very comprehensive and valuable resource.
There is also this huge on line resource of Australian and International papers and articles posted on the Memorial University of Newfoundland site.
Follow these links: