CARINGBAH PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH                                                     

WORSHIP TIME - 10am and 6:30pm

393 Port Hacking Rd South, Caringbah, NSW, Australia.

Church office: 02 9524 6406 [Friday 9am -1pm]

Welcome to the web site of Caringbah Presbyterian Church.

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 truth, the way 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 Church.

CPC IS A REFORMED AND EVANGELICAL CONGREGATION.

MISSION STATEMENT [What we're about]

CHPC exists by the grace of God and for his glory to worship and to witness making disciples in our community and beyond.

VISION STATEMENT  [What we want to be]

By God’s grace CHPC 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.

Our Teaching Elder: Darren Middleton

Darren Middleton is the teaching elder at Caringbah Presbyterian Church. He is married to Ruth and they are blessed with seven children, mostly healthy, always hungry and never short of a word (Grace, Josiah, Michaela, Isaiah, Ethan, Lily and Malachi.

 

Darren used to be a manager with a company called Venture working up and down the eastern seaboard before entering the ministry. At age of 23 Darren was converted whilst reading the Bible for the first time, in fact, his only purpose for reading was to find ammunition to fire at a female employee who had witnessed to him about Jesus Christ (later, they got married!).

 

Darren was ordained into the ministry in 1998 and after serving as teaching elder in a Victorian country parish (SEMPA) he accepted a call to be the teaching elder at CPC.  Darren tends to be passionate about most things he does, this is evidenced by the size of his clan, but is also seen in his preaching and teaching, as well as his support for his various sporting clubs he follows with great fervour, not to mention his Delica which he loves to such a degree the Session are often quite concerned. Apart from that, Darren is just another sinner saved by sovereign grace for sovereign service.

 

Some Articles and Papers by Darren Middleton

The Unwanted Truth: Why Evangelicals Are Rejecting Covenant Theology By Darren Middleton

Covenant Theology and the Atonement By Darren Middleton

New Perspective and its Pastoral Implications By Darren  Middleton 

Book review "What St Paul Really Said" By Darren Middleton

Assessing Three Evangelical Approaches to the Moral Law in Preaching By Darren Middleton (pdf)

Saving Faith in the Writings of Norman Shepherd and the WCF By Darren Middleton [Pdf file only - approx 15,000 words]

Worship Services 

We meet for worship twice on the Lord's Day (10am-6:30pm).

Style of worship is God centered and Bible based with a mix of contemporary and traditional songs in the morning with a smaller and contemporary gathering in the evening.

Preaching

The pulpit at CPC is Reformed and Evangelical with an emphasis on strong and engaging messages.

Teaching the Word of God to the people of God is considered central to the life and witness of the congregation. Moreover, Spurgeon once said, "Dull preachers make good martyrs, since they are so dry they burn well." God willing, at CPC the only thing that burns is our hearts for Christ.

Congregation 

We are an older church undergoing revitalisation with an emphasis on family ministry. One of our strengths is the love we have for one another, and although we are far from perfect, we believe warmth, genuine fellowship and encouragements can be found in our midst. Though all of our leaders are Reformed the congregation is made up of varying theological backgrounds, and all are welcome.

Discipleship 

We have Bible studies most weeknights and encourage all members to make use of them. The Elders believe that they are great opportunities to learn about God through the study of his word and as a consequence they attend and lead them.  The children are encouraged to worship with their parents that they may grow in their appreciation of the gospel via the word and sacraments, although provision is made for babies and toddlers during the service.

English Second Language in 2009

From Jan 2009 we will start our ESL meeting as both a service to the lonely and isolated (due to language) to help them make friends and help them learn English by our trained teachers led by Judy Rowlands as well as an opportunity to learn more about Jesus for those interested. Please feel free to email Judy if you would like further details.

Mum's Ministry (Playtime)

AT CPC we have what some believe is one of the best playtime ministries, it's a great time of encouragement and fellowship for mums and their young children. Reaching and encouraging families to raise faithful disciples of Jesus is central to the life and witness of our congregation.

 

Apart from Playtime, there are Sunday school classes for the little children, bible studies for mums and dads as well as strong and faithful teaching from the pulpit.

Evangelism

Introduction to Christianity classes are available as needed as well as training in evangelism. At CPC there is an increasing emphasis on pre evangelism. In 2005 a new playtime group was launched for mothers and preschoolers with the intention of building bridges with families for the gospel.

 

We continue to see strong growth and many blessing in this area including many who have come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and are now growing in grace as they learn to follow, worship and serve Him. CPC are also involved with a Church revitalisation (church plant) in Helensburgh and are praying and working to the end God will be pleased to use us for His Son's glory.

Fellowship

There are a plethora of Church groups during the day or in the evening to encourage one another in Christian fellowship. You can contact the Minister Darren Middleton for additional details.

Helensburgh Presbyterian church (sister congregation of Caringbah)

In late 2004 Caringbah Presbyterian Church accepted an invitation from Helensburgh Presbyterian Church to become part of one parish with the purpose of strengthening the witness at Helensburgh. Darren Middleton preaches at CPC while Rev Keith Noldt preaches at HPC.