Caringbah Presbyterian?
Warning! If you were looking for a slick charismatic church, or a gathering of nice people led by a preacher in touch with his feminine side you are at the wrong web site, wow that was awkward! Still, all least it saved you the embarrassment of turning up to our Church wearing a pink shirt and then finding out you're the only one waving your hands in the air when we start singing!
Thinking of Attending?
However, If you're looking for a church that makes no apology for being passionate about the gospel you may want to visit us. If you are looking to learn more about the Jew who was crucified but rose again you may want to visit us, we know him well and worship him all the time.If you're looking for truth, you have definitely come to the right place, because we know the one who said, "I am the way, the truth and the life." We're a Reformed and evangelical congregation who are working hard to love God and each other while we worship and witness to Jesus.
However, if you're looking for a pure Church we're not it. The truth is, everyone who assembles here is a sinner. Keep that in mind if you visit us, otherwise you will go away very disappointed. We're not a big Church, don't believe in big programs, in fact, quite the opposite, we like to encourage our folk to spend time with their families rather than going out every night to Church activities.
But we will encourage you to grow as disciples of Jesus and we believe that fellowship, the Word and prayer are essential to that process. Our teaching elder also disciples the younger men in smaller groups to help them with leading and serving their families as well as Christ's.
Thinking about Reformed Theology?
In Sydney and throughout Australia, evangelical and supposedly reformed pulpits and presbyteries, as well as amongst Bishops and Archbishops there is considerable doubt whether we have nine or ten commandments? Some are unsure if there are one or two sacraments? Is anyone sure about infant baptism? Is there such a thing as moral law? What about justification by faith alone or limited atonement? I dare not even raise the issue of worship – indeed, I’m told we shouldn’t even use the word to describe what we do on the Lord’s day if there is such a thing! So what’s behind all this disagreement amongst evangelicals and reformed believers? Is it that the Bible is too difficult to understand or the passages of Scripture are so ambiguous that good men must agree to disagree? Is it that some colleges teach Greek exegesis well and others turn out exegetical neanderthals? The answer is obviously no!All the disagreements alluded to are not really exegetical disagreements but hermeneutical disagreements (hermeneutics is the theory of how to interpret the Bible). Fundamentally then, our disagreements are not over practice (Lord's day, baptism or worship) but over theology, and in particular, the hermeneutic of Covenant theology as opposed to other hermeneutics (popular in Sydney) like new covenant theology. Captivated and consumed by sovereign grace and covenant mercies we feel compelled to provide an Australian Covenant theology resource that articulates what we believe is the most Christ honouring understanding of his person and work. It is primarily aimed at the many evangelical Christians that are seemingly indifferent or ignorant of the teachings of Reformed theology.
Reformed Theology is Covenant Theology
What is covenant theology? The straightforward, if provocative answer to that question is that it is what is nowadays called a hermeneutic - that is, a way of reading the whole Bible that is itself part of the overall interpretation of the Bible that it under girds. A successful hermeneutic is a consistent interpretation procedure yielding a consistent understanding of Scripture that in turn confirms the proprietary of the procedure itself. Covenant theology is a case in point. It is a hermeneutic that forces itself upon every thoughtful Bible reader...James Packer, Introduction to covenant theology in Witsius' "The economy of the covenants between man and God"
"Acquaintance with this covenant is of the greatest importance, for whoever errs here or denies the existence of the covenant of works, will not understand the covenant of grace, and will readily err concerning the mediatorship of the Lord Jesus. Such a person will very readily deny that Christ by His active obedience has merited a right to eternal life for the elect."
Wilhelmus Brakel, 'The Christian’s Reasonable Service' Vol 1, pg 355.“The doctrine of the covenant lies at the root of all true theology. It has been said that he who well understands the distinction between the covenant of works and the covenant of grace, is a master of divinity. I am persuaded that most of the mistakes which men make concerning the doctrines of Scripture, are based upon fundamental errors with regard to the covenant of law and of grace. May God grant us now the power to instruct, and you the grace to receive instruction on this vital subject.” He also said If anyone should ask me what I mean by a Calvinist, "I should reply, 'He is one who says, Salvation is of the Lord.'"
Charles Spurgeon, addressing the Pastors College Conference in 1891 a few years before his death
Leadership at CPC
Darren Middleton is the teaching elder at CPC. He is married to Ruth and they are blessed with 7 children, 1 Delica and 1 Volusia (cruiser).
The Session
The CPC leadership is made up of four other elders, Earle, Steve, John and Arthur [if you think Darren is aesthetically challenged you should see them. Out of kindness we spared you their photos].
These men are the shepherds of the congregation and are responsible for all spiritual matters and thus they lead the congregation with Darren.
Presbytery and GANSW
CPC being Presbyterian [rule by elders] sits under the authority of the Presbytery of Sydney South and is responsible to them as well as the General Assembly of NSW. If you want to know more about how we are governed or the work and witness of the wider Presbyterian church see here.
OUR MISSION
CPC exists by the grace of God and for his glory to worship and to witness making disciples in our community and beyond
OUR VISION
By God’s grace CPC will seek to be a vibrant and growing Reformed and evangelical witness for Jesus Christ in our community where Bible teaching, fellowship and discipleship will characterise our Church in both worship and witness.
SAMPLE SERMONS
