11E Ecumenism
9: THE FIVE MAJOR CHRISTIAN CHURCHES IN NEW ZEALAND
Use the information provided to present information in chart of diagram form on each of the following aspects of each Church listed.
a. How is the Church organised and governed, at the local (parish), national, and international level? (If applicable)
b. What are the church's beliefs and practices in relation to:
i. Baptism?
ii. the Eucharist?
iii. Sacraments in general?
c. What creeds or statements of belief does the church recognise?
d. What forms of ministry, ordained or other, does the Church have?
e. What is the Church's main form of Worship?
The Anglican Church
One feature of the Anglican Church is the diversity of views found and tolerated within its ranks. Some Anglicans regard their
Church as an independent Catholic Church tracing their origins back to Christ. Their beliefs, style of worship and Church buildings
differ little from those of Roman Catholics. Other Anglicans are happy to be called Protestant and see their Church as a Reformation
Church having plain styles of worship and churches similar to those of Presbyterians. Many lie somewhere in between these two
views.
The Anglican Church is part of a world-wide Anglican Communion in which it is loosely linked with over twenty other Anglican
Churches throughout the world, including the `mother' Church, the Church of England. Each Church is independent though they
meet every ten years in England under the chairmanship of the Archbishop of Canterbury who has no authority over other bishops
but is the "first among equals".
The Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia encompasses the area described by its title. The 1992 Constitution of
this Church provides for three partners to order their affairs within their own cultural context. Within Aotearoa New Zealand,
Tikanga Pakeha comprises seven Dioceses, Tikanga Maori comprises five Hui Amorangi, the boundaries of which differ from those of
the dioceses. Tikanga Pasefika encompasses Fiji, Tonga, Samoa and the Cook Islands, and is known as the Diocese of Polynesia
Some Anglicans have a view of sacraments identical to that of the Roman Catholic Church. Others recognise only two sacraments,
Baptism and Eucharist, and have an understanding of these similar to Protestant Churches. Most Anglicans are baptised as infants
and many receive the sacrament of Confirmation as young adults.
The Catholic Church
You may need to fill in the gaps of your presentation with your previous knowledge and experience of the Catholic Church.
The Catholic Church in New Zealand is part of the world- wide Roman Catholic Church which is made up of all those churches whose
Bishops are in communion with the Bishop of Rome - the Pope. Catholics believe that the Pope is the successor of St Peter and
therefore inherits St Peter's role of guiding Christ's flock, the Church. This role, Catholics believe, was given to Peter by Christ
himself. [See Matthew 16:13-20 and John 21:15-19]
In New Zealand there are six Catholic dioceses each with its Bishop appointed by the Pope. The dioceses are divided into parishes
each with a parish priest or lay pastoral leader appointed by the Bishop. Most parishes have elected Parish Councils which work
with the priest to provide for the pastoral and spiritual needs of the parishioners.
Catholics may be baptised by sprinkling or immersion. Apart from Baptism, Catholics recognise six other Sacraments: Confirmation,
Eucharist, Penance (Reconciliation), Matrimony (Marriage), Holy Orders (Priesthood) and Anointing of the Sick.
11E Ecumenism
The Baptist Union
Each Baptist congregation is completely self-governing. However, most congregations in New
Zealand are members of a voluntary association known as the Baptist Union. In turn the New
Zealand Baptist Union is a member of the Baptist World Alliance which is a federation of over
100 independent Baptist denominations from many countries.
Because each Baptist congregation is self-governing there are differences between the way they
run their affairs. Most have a board of deacons elected annually. Because Baptists are
generally strong believers in the Reformation doctrine of ‘the priesthood of all believers', the
deacons have both spiritual and administrative roles within the congregation. Baptist
congregations also appoint their own ministers who may be either male or female.
The Baptist Union General Assembly meets annually to consider matters concerning the Baptist
union as a whole, but it does not have the power to direct individual congregations. Baptists, of
course, derive their name from their belief in adult believers' baptism by immersion. Many will
admit to their congregation only Christians who have been so baptised. Most Baptist
congregations also celebrate the Eucharist twice a month. In doing so, most Baptists would not
share a belief in the "Real Presence" of Christ in the Eucharist with Catholics, Orthodox and
some Anglicans. Baptists do not generally recognise other sacraments. In common with many
other Protestant or ‘evangelical' Churches, Baptists recognise the basic doctrines of the early
centuries of Christianity as expressed in statements such as the Apostles' or Nicene Creeds.
The Methodist Church
In New Zealand the basic unit of organisation is the circuit which is usually made up of two or more congregations. Ministers, who
may be male or female, are appointed to a circuit by the Methodist annual conference for a term of four years. The circuits are
grouped into nine regional Districts. Each District has a Synod which meets a few times each year. The Methodist Conference meets
annually and is made up of all Methodist ministers and an equal number of lay representatives. The President of the Methodist
Church is elected annually. Methodist Church has a Maori Division which has its own Superintendent. The Methodist Church apart
from its own parishes, runs a large number of Union parishes with the Presbyterian Church (with shared buildings and ministers) and
a number of cooperating parishes with Presbyterian, Anglican and Associated Churches of Christ congregations.
The Methodist Church of New Zealand is affiliated to the World Methodist Council.
The first Methodists in New Zealand generally followed John Wesley's evangelical beliefs with their emphasis on personal salvation
and improvements in social conditions for the oppressed and deprived. During the twentieth century many Methodists have
adopted more liberal theological and social positions. Methodists recognise the sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion.
The Presbyterian Church
Presbyterians take their name from a central part of the organisation of their Church - the Presbytery. Each congregation has a
board of managers elected annually to look after administration, and a group of `elders' who are chosen by the congregation
generally for life. The elders and the minister make up the `Session' of each congregation and are responsible for the spiritual and
pastoral care of the congregation.
Each congregation sends delegates to a monthly meeting known as the Presbytery. The Presbytery has a Moderator who is elected
annually. The Presbytery is responsible for all the matters in its District. Each year a General Assembly of the whole Presbyterian
Church consisting of about half ministers and half lay people, meets and elects a Moderator. The Moderator of the General
Assembly acts as a sort of President of the Presbyterian Church for a year.
Presbyterian ministers may be either male or female, and are ‘called' to serve a particular congregation after theological training.
The Presbyterian Church has a Māori Synod.
Most Presbyterians are baptised as infants by sprinkling. Presbyterian congregations celebrate the Eucharist quarterly or monthly.
They generally have a ‘Reformed' view of the Eucharist ie: they believe that Christ is spiritually present in the sacrament.