a.
What is the most distinctive
feature of Christian Renewal Fellowship?
It
is a New Testament pattern church, believing and practising the Christianity
seen in the Book of Acts in the Bible.
b.
How is the Fellowship organised?
Founded in 1977 and registered as an Incorporated Trust.
The Fellowship is oversighted by an eldership, which is led by a senior
ministry assisted by other pastors and elders. Deacons assist the elders
in other responsibilities. Elected trustees have legal duties in regard
to property and other assets. Departmental leaders lead various programmes.
c.
How does this church impact the Community?
It is a high profile church strategically placed on the
official entry highway to our central city area. Its well attended public
services, Christian school, Bible College, Radio Broadcast, Lifecare Community
Services, mid-week groups and varied youth programmes, plus clear roof
signage visible by day and flood lit at night, ensure that we are a cutting
edge entity.
d.
Does the church network with others?
Yes. We are not a stand-alone or "independent" church. We
believe in interdependence. We link with churches of similar vision to
ourselves in a free association. This is known as the Associated
Churches and Ministries of New Zealand. In addition we recognise that
there is only one Body, thus we esteem all Christians that love our Lord
Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord. We are free to network in joint efforts
with them.
e.
What about evangelism and missions?
We are keenly committed to it. We regularly send out teams from the church
to other areas. Our street team, Drama Unit, Radio Programmes are all
focussed on evangelism. We church plant in New Zealand, Fiji and Japan.
Most of our public services, and many of our small groups have an outreach
focus. Hundreds of children are regularly reached in state schools.
f.
Are you a Pentecostal or Charismatic church?
Yes. These terms both refer to the Holy Spirit's power freely working
in Christian's lives. Another term is "Spirit filled." The Holy Spirit
brings power and boldness to witness to Christ. The gifts of the Holy
Spirit are seen and heard among us.
g.
Why do people lift up their hands to worship.
praise or pray?
These were common practices in Bible times. Hand movements are very expressive
and convey rejoicing, petition and thanksgiving. David blessed God with
every part of his being. (Psalm 103:1., 134:2; 1 Timothy 2:8)
h.
How is the work of the Fellowship financed?
We follow the Bible guidelines of tithing (10%) our incomes and donating
that regularly to the Lord via the offering time in the services. We also
give offerings. We believe in joyful giving for the Bible says that God
loves a cheerful giver. After all, He has done everything for us! All
the land and stage 1 of our buildings was raised up by the voluntary giving
of our congregation.
i.
Can I obtain a tax deductible receipt for my giving?
Yes. Your offerings must be identifiable, e.g. named envelope, cheque,
or automatic payments, or numbered envelope obtained ·from the church
office. At the end of the financial year (March 31st) receipts are issued.
Cash donations without identification cannot be receipted for IRD purposes.
j.
Christian education? What is the vision of this?
We have always had a vision to raise up a Christian School.
Our school (from New Entrants to Form 7) is integrated with the Government,
but its special Christian character is protected. We are committed to
raising up the next generation with godly values equipped to serve, lead
and impact the community as godly people. Our present school roll is 120
maximum but we look ahead to a larger school version perhaps with a campus
elsewhere.
k.
Bible College.
The need to disciple, train and equip ongoing leadership is ever with
us. We provide a thorough going quality training in the Word of God and
Christian leadership. By choice the programme is not NZQA linked, so that
we can be loyal to Biblical methods of training Christian leadership.
We put emphasis on the gifts and casings of God in trainee's lives, along
with the empowering of the Holy Spirit. The Bible College course is a
recycling two-year course. Students can also enter for shorter periods
of study. Ask for the prospectus for more details if interested. Fees
are low cost and pay-as-you learn.
l.
Small groups?
These are vital to real growth and relational development.
All attenders at the church are encouraged to meet regularly in a small
group. We have a variety of small groups e.g. special interest, pastoral
care, creative ministries, recovery groups, and cell groups. See the listing
in the weekly church newsletter.
m.
What about care of the poor and needy?
Our focus is to equip people with skills for living so that the cycle
of dependency is overcome. Budget advice is often a key here. This is
a confidential service. Food parcels are given as are surplus fruit and
vegetables. Friendship and mentoring also play a key part. We assist many
every year to locate employment and suitable housing. Sometimes we assist
in provision of furnishings.
n.
How about counselling services?
Our pastoral team provide counselling as people need it. In addition we
have formed Lifecare Community Services which specialises in remedial
Counselling for a wide variety of needs, e.g. suicide prevention, abuse
situations, marital problems, "at risk" people, especially youth, budget
advice and so on. Appointments can be made through church reception.
o.
What about cultural outlet?
We are a cross-cultural church and value cross-cultural
input. We provide for cultural groups mid week, as leadership is available
to lead these.Cultural values are respected in relationships and counselling.p.
How about family interests? From creche to senior saints we are well catered
for! Our youth work is a very strong point. Check out the church notice
boards and newsletters.
q.
Creative ministries
Church bands, a drama unit and children's musicals are all
part of growth in creative ministries. We're interested in new recruits
and those with existing skills.
r.
What's your vision of a local church?
In the New Testament we soon see in Acts of the Apostles
that new believers were added to communities of believers called by them:
ekklesia" or "called out" groups. This was an ordinary Greek word of those
times for a called out gathering of eligible citizens to meet together.
So appropriately, believers, called out to be disciples of Christ met
together regularly for fellowship, preaching, praise, prayer, encouragement,
evangelism and other purposes. We are expressly told in Hebrews 10:25
not to forsake the gathering of ourselves together.
s. What do Ineed to
do to be recognised as a part of this fellowship?
First, please ensure if transferring from another church
in our City or district that relationships are in good order between you
and their leadership. Second, pray about where God would place you. There
needs to be a sense of fitting in, otherwise it's like a square peg in
a round hole. You are not comfortable, nor are others. Third, read the
vision of this church. Understand it. Be in agreement with it. Fourth,
read through the Statement of Faith. Fifth, be prepared to do your part
in helping this church to grow. This involves your prayers, your faith,
your encouragement, and your faithful giving financially, and helping
as able in other ways. Please note that a large City church needs a large
team to make it function well. There is opportunity for you to serve in
a fulfilled way. Sixth, we believe in encouraging, praying for and standing
with the leadership God has placed among us. We honour their labours among
us and submit to them. We value unity. You will need this attitude. Seventh,
if at peace over these points, please fill out the application form and
mail to: Christian Renewal Fellowship, P.O. Box 106, Whangarei.Thank
you again for your interest and God bless you.
Who
are we? . . .
"Christian Renewal Fellowship
"Established in 1977 and registered as a charitable Trust, the Fellowship was formed around a calling, a vision, given to its founding leaders by the LORD. "
We believe in the risen Lord Jesus Christ.
........ after He (Jesus) had risen. And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. “And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; “they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” .......
We believe that the church is not a building, but God's universal group of believers (from the very first one to the very last one) God lives in people not in buildings.
However, Christian Renewal Fellowship is:- " A SPIRIT filled (ie. Pentecostal) community group of Christian believers, free to preach all the Bible teaches. A `spiritual home', a local part of the church universal, for Maori, , Pakeha, European, Filipino, Dutch, South African, Asian, Indian (any whom GOD has led here). An outreach centre for evangelism, missions and church planting, whether a large or small group.
A centre for training and sending our ministries to New Zealand and the nations.
An education centre, raising up the next generation with thorough basics in education and the Bible.
A local church that endeavours to strengthen other local churches and leaders in the wider body of CHRIST.
A prophetic voice for Revival, Restoration and Reformation in the Christian Church and the nation.
Christian
Renewal Fellowship is linked with other local churches and ministries
for purposes of mutual strengthening, encouragement and evangelism in
New Zealand and overseas.
This relationship is known as Association Churches and Ministries of New
Zealand (ACMNZ).
These local churches are in free association under the LORD JESUS CHRIST,
their risen head.
Top
We
are situated at 2 Tarewa Road, Whangarei, New Zealand. (64) 9 438 6875
Back home
Copyright 2000: Christian Renewal Fellowship Trust
Scripture at this site taken from the HOLY
BIBLE,
King James Version (KJV) (Public Domain)
New International Version (NIV) Ó 1973, 1978, 1984 by the International Bible
Society.
New American standard (NAS) Ó 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977 by
the Lockman Foundation
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers,
Inc.) 1996.
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