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61-733: The Uniting Church in Australia ( UCA ) was founded on 22 June 1977, when most congregations of the Methodist Church of Australasia , about two-thirds of the Presbyterian Church of Australia and almost all the churches of the Congregational Union of Australia united under the Basis of Union . According to the church, it had 243,000 members in 2018. In the 2016 census , 870,183 Australians identified with

122-493: A Methodist local preacher ). Lay preachers are required to participate in training and examinations conducted by each synod, and must be approved by the presbytery. The UCA was one of the first Australian churches to grant self-determination to its indigenous members through the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress. Partnerships exist with South Pacific and Asian churches, especially those which share

183-711: A headcovering while praying and worshipping (cf. 1 Corinthians 11:1–11). These practices continue to be normative in certain churches, congregations, and denominations, as well as in particular parts of the world, such as in Eastern Europe and in the Indian subcontinent , while in the West, attention to these observances has waned generally (apart from those denominations that continue to require them, such as Conservative Anabaptist churches). In many nondenominational Christian churches, it may be customary, depending on

244-455: A sermon (which may cover a specific topic, or as part of a book of the Bible which is being covered over a period of time). Depending on the church, a public invitation follows whereby people are encouraged to become Christians, present themselves as candidates for baptism or to join the congregation (if members elsewhere), or for other purposes. Many congregations begin their church services with

305-540: A Congregational, Presbyterian or Methodist heritage. An increasing number of ethnic churches worship in their own languages as well as in English. Five to seven per cent of the membership worship in languages other than English, including Aboriginal languages . The UCA advocates for social justice . It has taken stances on issues such as native title for indigenous people; the environment; apartheid ; refugee status, and safe injection facilities for drug users. The church

366-481: A common practice in several churches. In some churches, a special moment is reserved for faith healing with laying on of hands during worship services. Faith healing or divine healing is considered a legacy of Jesus acquired by his death and resurrection. The taking up of tithes and offerings (gifts made beyond the tithe) is a normative part of the worship services. The main Christian feasts celebrated by

427-489: A dozen to hundreds of members. They are the local church, the setting for regular worship (generally on Sundays). Many churches also conduct worship services at other times, such as a monthly weekday service, a late-night service for day-shift workers, a "cafe church", or Friday- or Saturday-evening services. A Meeting of the Congregation must be held at least twice each year. The meetings typically consider and approve

488-530: A formal meeting of a university See also [ edit ] Congregate (disambiguation) Congregational church , Protestant churches in the Reformed (Calvinist) tradition Qahal , an Israelite organizational structure often translated as 'congregation' Topics referred to by the same term [REDACTED] This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the title Congregation . If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change

549-513: A major town or city, and the local synod is normally their organisational and funding body. The Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (UAICC, sometimes known simply as the Congress), is constitutionally recognised as having responsibility for oversight of church ministry to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people : A Synod may at the request of a Regional Committee of

610-402: A month. Less liturgical congregations tend to place a greater emphasis on the sermon. Many churches will take up a collection of money ( offertory ) during the service. The rationale for this is taken from 1 Corinthians 16:1–2 , 1 Corinthians 9:9–11 , and 1 Timothy 5:16–18 . But some churches eschew this practice in favor of voluntary anonymous donations for which a box or plate may be set up by

671-527: A new form of worship of God. As recorded in the gospels , Jesus met together with his disciples to share teachings, discuss topics, pray, and sing hymns. The holding of church services pertains to the observance of the Lord's Day in Christianity. The Bible has a precedent for a pattern of morning and evening worship that has given rise to Sunday morning and Sunday evening services of worship held in

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732-522: A number of presbyteries. Western Australia has a unitary presbytery-synod model. South Australia also had a single presbytery and synod for 15 years, until 2019. These large presbyteries enable groups of congregations to work together, based on geographic location or similar interests or characteristics. Selection of ministerial candidates and the placement of ministers are decided at the presbytery level. There are about 2,000 UCA congregations, with 243,000 members and adherents. Congregations range in size from

793-951: A religious organization that meets in a particular location Congregation (Roman Curia) , an administrative body of the Catholic Church Religious congregation , a type of religious institute in the Catholic Church Congregation (group of houses) , in some religious orders of the Catholic Church Music [ edit ] The Congregation (band) , an English pop group Congregation (The Afghan Whigs album) , 1992, and its title song Congregation (Kerbdog album) , 2014 The Congregation (Johnny Griffin album) , 1957 The Congregation (Leprous album) , 2015 "Congregation" (song) , by Foo Fighters, 2014 Other uses [ edit ] Congregation (university) ,

854-443: A sermon and hymns. Many programmed meetings also include a time during the service for silent, expectant waiting and messages from the participants. Vocal music is traditionally sung by a choir or the congregation (or a mixture of the two), usually accompanied by an organ . Sometimes other instruments such as piano, classical instruments, or modern band instruments may be part of the service, especially in churches influenced by

915-517: A white alb and a stole (for ministers and deacons) or scarf (for lay preachers). The colour of the scarf or stole is often related to the liturgical calendar, such as purple for Lent or red for Pentecost . Since 1997, most councils and agencies have used the consensus decision-making procedures outlined in the church's Manual for Meetings . The procedures may use orange ("support") and blue ("do not support") cards, which may also be displayed times other than voting. The UCA's theological range

976-615: A wide variety of musical styles, such as Christian Rock and Christian Hip hop , appeared in the praise . Some churches have services with traditional Christian music , others with contemporary Christian music , and some offer both in separate services. In the 2000s and 2010s, digital technologies were integrated into worship services, such as the video projectors for broadcasting praise lyrics or video, on big screens. The use of social media such as YouTube and Facebook to retransmit live or delayed worship services, by Internet, has also spread. The offering via Internet has become

1037-683: Is a national UCA activity during school and university holidays, every two or three years in a different city. NCYC 2007, "Agents of Change", was held in Perth. The 2009 "Converge" was held in Melbourne . NCYC 2011 was held from 29 December 2010 to 4 January 2011 at the Southport School on Queensland 's Gold Coast . Yuróra NCYC 2014 was held in North Parramatta, Sydney from 7 to 10 January 2014. Yuróra NCYC 2017, "Uniting Culture",

1098-630: Is a non- episcopal church, with no bishops . Leadership and pastoral roles are nominally performed by presbyteries , but in reality by individuals. The UCA assembly meets every three years, and is chaired by the president. The 14th Assembly met in Perth from 12 to 18 July 2015. The 15th Assembly, hosted by the Synod of Victoria and Tasmania in Box Hill , met in July 2018. Assembly business between meetings

1159-425: Is broad, reflecting its Methodist , Presbyterian and Congregational origins and its commitment to ecumenism. Its theology may be described as mainline Protestantism , with a commitment to social justice . The church's perspectives are evangelical , left (or progressive), and liberal . Morality, faith, and (in particular) sexuality have been debated. Concerns focus on biblical understanding and accommodation to

1220-563: Is conducted by the Assembly Standing Committee, which meets three times per year (usually in March, July and November). Membership is drawn from throughout Australia, with 18 members elected at each assembly. The current president is Reverend Charissa Suli since she was installed as president in the meeting of the 17th Assembly on 11 July 2024. She replaced Reverend Sharon Hollis , who had succeeded Dr Deidre Palmer at

1281-459: Is one of Australia's largest non-government providers of community and health services. Its service network consists of over 400 agencies, institutions, and parish missions, with its areas of service including aged care, hospitals, children, youth and family, disability, employment, emergency relief, drug and alcohol abuse, youth homelessness and suicide. Affiliated agencies include UCA's community and health-service provider network, affiliated schools,

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1342-454: Is similar to other united and uniting churches , which maintain a cultural identity in their own country and practise ecumenical fellowship with other Christian denominations worldwide. Between 1991 and 2013, UCA attendance declined by 41 per cent. In 2013, about 97,200 people attended weekly worship services throughout Australia. The church is liturgically varied. Practices range from experimental liturgies, informal worship reminiscent of

1403-657: The Jesus movement to conventional Reformed services. Music also varies from traditional and contemporary hymns in the Australian Hymn Book and Together in Song , through Hillsong and contemporary Christian music to hard alternative and metal . Liturgical dress in the UCA is generally lenient, and is optional for ministers and other leaders of worship. When liturgical dress is worn, it most commonly consists of

1464-461: The Lord's Supper . During worship there is usually a nursery for babies. Prior to the worship service, adults, children and young people receive an adapted education, Sunday school , in a separate room. With the 1960s' charismatic movement , a new conception of praise in worship, such as clapping and raising hands as a sign of worship, took place in many evangelical denominations. In the 1980s and 1990s, contemporary Christian music , including

1525-414: The contemporary worship movement. Some churches are equipped with state-of-the-art multi-media equipment to add to the worship experience. The congregation may sing along in hymnals or words to hymns and worship songs may be displayed on a screen. More liturgical denominations may have the words to specific prayers written in a missalette or prayer book , which the congregation follows. Though most of

1586-845: The "Word of God" (the Christian Bible ) and encouraged in their faith . Technically, the church in "church service" refers to the gathering of the faithful rather than to the physical place in which it takes place. In most Christian traditions services are presided over by clergy wherever possible, but some traditions utilize lay preachers . Styles of service vary greatly, from the Anglican , Eastern Orthodox , Oriental Orthodox , Reformed ( Continental Reformed , Presbyterian ), Roman Catholic , and Lutheran traditions of liturgical worship to informal worship characterized by certain free church traditions, common among Methodists and Baptists , that often combine worship with teaching for

1647-661: The Baptist Union and the Churches of Christ , in some locations. There are also cooperative arrangements where supplying ministry to congregations is impossible, particularly in remote areas. This includes arrangements with the Anglican Church , where ministry and (sometimes) property resources are shared. Faith communities are less structured than congregations. They are groups of people who gather together for worship, witness or service and choose to be recognised by

1708-453: The Christian service in the first century is shrouded in mystery. By the second and third centuries , such Church Fathers as Clement of Alexandria , Origen , and Tertullian wrote of formalised, regular services: the practice of Morning and Evening Prayer, and prayers at the third hour of the day ( terce ), the sixth hour of the day ( sext ), and the ninth hour of the day ( none ). The concept of major hours of prayer corresponding to

1769-588: The Evangelicals are Christmas , Pentecost , and Easter for all believers, among others depending on Christian denominations (cf. evangelical feasts ). Quakers (the Religious Society of Friends), like other Nonconformist Protestant denominations, distinguish between a church , which is a body of people who believe in Christ, and a ' meeting house ' or ' chapel ', which is a building where

1830-533: The UCA became the first mainstream Australian church to induct a transgender minister, when Jo Inkpin was installed at Pitt Street Uniting Church in Sydney. congregation [REDACTED] Look up congregation  or kehilla in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. Congregation may refer to: Religion [ edit ] Church (congregation) ,

1891-596: The Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress prescribe that the Regional Committee may have and exercise all or specific rights, powers, duties and responsibilities of a Presbytery under this Constitution and the Regulations (including ordination and other rights, powers and responsibilities relating to Ministers) for the purpose of fulfilling any responsibility of the Regional Committee for Uniting Church work with Aboriginal and Islander people within

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1952-597: The Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress, Frontier Services and UnitingWorld . The UCA is a national, unincorporated association of councils, each of which has responsibility for functions in the church. The councils are congregations (local), presbyteries (regional), synods (state) and an assembly (national). The membership of each council is established by the constitution. Each council includes Women and Men, lay and ordained. The offices of president of assembly, moderator of synod (who chair these councils) and other offices are open to all UCA members. The UCA

2013-489: The believers, which may also have an evangelistic component appealing to backsliders and the non-Christians in the congregation (cf. altar call ). Quakers and some other groups have no formal outline to their services, but allow the worship to develop as the participants present feel moved. The worship service is a practice of Christian life that has its origins in Jewish worship . Jesus Christ and Paul of Tarsus taught

2074-571: The bounds of the Synod. UnitingCare Australia , one of the country's largest providers of social care, is its largest operator of aged-care facilities. Other activities include shelters and emergency housing for men, women and children; family-relationships support; disability services, and food kitchens. The UCA provides theological training through a number of theological colleges: Training generally takes five years, and includes supervised practical experience. The National Christian Youth Convention

2135-619: The broad culture. Uniting Network Australia is "the national network for lesbian, gay, bisexual, intersex and transgender people, their families, friends and supporters within the Uniting Church in Australia." The establishment of Evangelical Members within the Uniting Church in Australia (EMU), the Reforming Alliance and their merger with the Assembly of Confessing Congregations (ACC) illustrate conservative opposition to

2196-507: The budget, local policy matters, property matters (ratified by the presbytery and synod) and the "call" (employment) of a new minister or other staff. Congregations manage themselves through a council. All elders are members, as are ministers with pastoral responsibility for the congregation; there may also be other members. The council meets regularly, and is responsible for approving worship times and other matters. Some united congregations exist. The UCA has joined with other churches, such as

2257-500: The church meets. Quakers have both unprogrammed and programmed meetings for worship. Unprogrammed worship is based on waiting in silence and inward listening to the Spirit, from which any participant may share a message. In unprogrammed meetings for worship, someone speaks when that person feels that God/Spirit/the universe has given them a message for others. Programmed worship includes many elements similar to Protestant services, such as

2318-537: The church, but that figure fell to 673,260 in the 2021 census . In the 2011 census , that figure was 1,065,796. The UCA is Australia's third-largest Christian denomination, behind the Catholic and the Anglican Churches . There are around 2,000 UCA congregations, and 2001 National Church Life Survey (NCLS) research indicated that average weekly attendance was about 10 per cent of census figures. The UCA

2379-587: The churches of many Christian denominations today, a "structure to help families sanctify the Lord's Day." In Numbers 28:1–10 and Exodus 29:38–39 , "God commanded the daily offerings in the tabernacle to be made once in the morning and then again at twilight". In Psalm 92 , which is a prayer concerning the observance of the Sabbath, the author writes that "It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in

2440-464: The denomination appointing its next minister. They are known as union churches in some places, with several denominations using the building at different times. A Frontier Services ministry is available to residents of the outback , with ministers and pastors visiting families by air or four-wheel drive vehicles. Visits are normally arranged in advance so adjacent families can travel for significant events, such as baptisms . These "padres" are based in

2501-501: The entrance, or return-address envelopes may be provided that worshippers may take with them. Offering through the Internet has become a common practice in many evangelical churches. On occasion, some churches will also arrange a second collection, typically occurring after Communion, for a specific good cause or purpose. Some churches offer Sunday school classes. These will often be for younger children, and may take place during

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2562-572: The first and last hour of the day likely correspond to Jewish practices; that Sunday services (corresponding to the Sabbath in Christianity ) are more complex and longer (involving twice as many services if one counts the Eucharist and the afternoon service) also likely have root in Jewish practices. Similarly, the liturgical year from Christmas via Easter to Pentecost covers roughly five months,

2623-416: The internet. Church services are often planned and led by a single minister (pastor) or a small group of elders or may follow a format laid out by the dictates of the denomination. Some churches are " lay led" with members of the congregation taking turns guiding the service or simply following format that has evolved over time between the active members. More commonly, an ordained minister will preach

2684-433: The laity is valued in the UCA, which recognises that ministry is a function of the entire church. However, "specified ministries" are defined. Of these, the roles of elder and pastor are open to lay members . The church has two orders of ordained ministry : minister and deacon . When it is not possible (or desirable) to have an ordained minister, a lay preacher or lay ministry team may act in their place (similar to

2745-438: The link to point directly to the intended article. Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Congregation&oldid=1229528875 " Category : Disambiguation pages Hidden categories: Short description is different from Wikidata All article disambiguation pages All disambiguation pages Church service The church service is the gathering together of Christians to be taught

2806-580: The local option to marriage; a minister may bless a same-sex marriage. The fairly broad consensus has been that a person's sexual orientation should not be a bar to attendance, membership or participation in the church. More controversial has been the issue of sexual activity by gay and lesbian people and the sexual behaviour of ordination candidates. In 2003, the church voted to allow local presbyteries to decide whether to ordain gay and lesbian people as ministers. Ministers were permitted to bless same-sex couples entering civil unions even before same-sex marriage

2867-641: The members of the congregation a chance to socialize with each other and to greet visitors or new members. Coffee or other refreshments may be served. Church services take many forms, and set liturgies may have different names. Services typically include: Places of worship are usually called "churches" or " chapels ". Some services take place in theaters, schools or multipurpose rooms, rented for Sunday only. Christians have historically tended to wear modest clothes at church services (cf. 1 Timothy 2:9–10). Men have traditionally removed their caps while praying and worshipping, while women have traditionally worn

2928-422: The morning, and your faithfulness by night" (cf. Psalm 134:1). Church father Eusebius of Caesarea thus declared: "For it is surely no small sign of God's power that throughout the whole world in the churches of God at the morning rising of the sun and at the evening hours, hymns, praises, and truly divine delights are offered to God. God's delights are indeed the hymns sent up everywhere on earth in his Church at

2989-482: The ordination of gay and lesbian candidates and the influence of the Confessing Movement (not to be confused with the anti- Nazi Confessing Church ). Issues debated since early in UCA history are the role of gay and lesbian people in the church, their possibility of being ordained and the blessing of same-sex unions. The church permits local presbyteries to ordain gay and lesbian ministers, and extends

3050-532: The other seven having no major services linked to the work of Christ. Though worship services had their origins in Jewish services, it is unlikely that Jewish services were copied or deliberately substituted (see Supersessionism ). Contemporary worship services have their origins in the Jesus Movement of the 1960s. In the 1980s and 1990s, contemporary Christian music , comprising a variety of musical styles, such as Christian rock and Christian hip-hop

3111-526: The presbytery. Local churches are sometimes also used by congregations of other denominations; for example, a Tongan Seventh-day Adventist congregation may make arrangements to meet in the building on a Saturday. The UCA is committed to inclusivity, and there are a number of multicultural ministry (MCM) arrangements in which Korean , Tongan and other groups form congregations of the church. Co-operating congregations, typically in rural areas, have several denominations worshiping as one congregation and rotate

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3172-476: The ringing of a bell (or a number of bells ); a current trend is to have an introductory video which serves as a "countdown" to the beginning of the service. The service usually involves the singing of hymns , reading of scripture verses and possibly a psalm . If the church follows a lectionary , the sermon will often be about the scripture lections assigned to that day. Eucharistic churches have usually Holy Communion either every Sunday or several Sundays

3233-412: The services are still conducted in church buildings designed specifically for that purpose, some services take place in "store front" or temporary settings. For those unable to attend a service in a church building a burgeoning televangelism and radio ministry provides broadcasts of services. A number of websites have been set up as "cyber-churches" to provide a virtual worship space free to anyone on

3294-482: The start of the 16th Assembly in July 2021. Palmer was the second woman in the role, following Jill Tabart (1994-1997). Palmer was the moderator of the Presbytery and Synod of South Australia from November 2013 to November 2016. Hollis was moderator of the Synod of Victoria and Tasmania at the time of her election in 2018 as the president-elect and became president at the beginning of the sixteenth assembly, which

3355-661: The times of morning and evening." The first miracle of the Apostles , the healing of the crippled man on the temple steps, occurred because Peter and John went to the Temple to pray (Acts 3:1). Since the Apostles were originally Jews , the concept of fixed prayer times , as well as services therefore which differed from weekday to Sabbath to holy day, were familiar to them. Pliny the Younger (63 – c.  113 ), who

3416-416: The whole of the service (while the adults are in church), or the children may be present for the beginning of the service and at a prearranged point leave the service to go to Sunday school. Some churches have adult Sunday school either before or after the main worship service. Following the service, there will often be an opportunity for fellowship in the church hall or other convenient place. This provides

3477-529: Was adopted by evangelical churches. Over the years, the organs have been replaced by pianos , electric guitars and drums . These contemporary worship services feature a sermon based on the Bible . Worship service in Evangelical churches is seen as an act of God's worship. It is usually run by a Christian pastor . It usually contains two main parts, the praise and the sermon , with periodically

3538-528: Was also held in Sydney in January 2017. UnitingWorld is the church's international-aid agency. It receives funding from the government of Australia to implement development and poverty-alleviation programs in the Pacific, Asia and Africa. UnitingWorld works in partnership with 18 overseas denominations to support over 180,000 people annually through sustainable community development projects. The role of

3599-495: Was legalised in Australia in late 2017. In July 2018, the national assembly approved the creation of marriage rites for same-sex couples. Since 1997, some ministers living in same-sex relationships have come out without their ordination (or ministry) being challenged. In 2011, the church approved the blessing of same-sex unions . Seven years later it allowed local congregations and ministers to decide whether to perform same-sex marriages, and ministers may now do so. In March 2021,

3660-405: Was not a Christian himself, mentions not only fixed prayer times by believers, but also specific services—other than the Eucharist —assigned to those times: "They met on a stated day before it was light, and addressed a form of prayer to Christ, as to a divinity   [...] after which it was their custom to separate, and then reassemble, to eat in common a harmless meal." The real evolution of

3721-627: Was to be held in Queensland in 2021. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic , the meeting was moved to a shorter, online form. Synods are UCA councils which roughly correspond to state boundaries. Each synod meets about once per year, with a standing committee to represent it between sessions. Synod responsibilities include the promotion and encouragement of the church's mission, theological and ministerial education, and overseeing property matters. There are six synods: Each synod generally consists of

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