Formed in 1953, the Reformed Churches of New Zealand (RCNZ) is one of the few Reformed denominations to subscribe both to the Three Forms of Unity and the Westminster Confession.
The RCNZ affirms that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the inspired Word of God and infallible. Additionally, the Church holds that its creeds and confessions are summaries of biblical teaching, providing an accurate summary of Bible teachings. It recognizes the Apostles' Creed, the Nicene Creed, and the Athanasian Creed. Creeds and confessions provide a common standard, uniting member churches in a common confession, as well as providing a standard for discipline for those who hold office within the church, enabling the church to guard its members from false doctrine. In that light, the RCNZ affirms the Three Forms of Unity (Belgic Confession, Heidelberg Catechism, Canons of Dort), common among European Reformed churches, as well as the Westminster Confession, commonly used by Reformed or Presbyterian churches with origins in the British Isles.
The RCNZ is a federation of local churches, each ruled by elders and deacons who form the session of the church. Issues of common interest to RCNZ churches may be discussed at the regional level, known as the presbytery, which meets quarterly. Every three years, two representatives from each church's session meet at a national synod.
To meet the obligations of member churches to maintain close fellowship with one another, a set of rules known as the Church Order has been agreed to, specifying the regulations of the organization, according to the Scriptures and the Reformed confessions. This includes the organization of the offices of the church, the assemblies of the church, the supervision of public worship, and Christian discipline.
Like other Christian bodies, Reformed churches trace their history to apostolic times, and before, as well as through the 16th-century Protestant Reformation, although the Reformed Churches of New Zealand did not come together under its own identity until the early 1950s.
Following World War II, migrants from the Netherlands began coming to New Zealand. While they expected to join existing Reformed congregations upon their arrival, they came to believe that the existing churches had departed from Reformed doctrine and practice.
Groups of newly arrived Dutch settlers gathered together to form their own congregations, and the Reformed Churches of New Zealand was established at a synod in Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, in 1953, where congregations from Auckland, Christchurch, and Wellington were represented. Over the years, other congregations joined them and the RCNZ now has approximately twenty congregations.
The focus of this category is on the Christian fellowship of churches known as the Reformed Churches of New Zealand. Ideally, websites representing local congregations would be listed in the Local & Global category representing the geographical location of the local church, but church websites that include significant resources regarding the denomination, as a whole, may be listed in both categories.
Recommended Resources
Auckland Reformed Youth Committee
The ARYC is a committee of the Auckland Reformed Presbytery charged with encouraging spiritual growth and fellowship among Auckland region youth, including the organization of annual youth events and the coordination of other events hosted by local church youth groups. Schedules of national events, such as Easter Camp and National Camp, are featured, committee members are acknowledged, parent resources are included, and contacts are posted.
https://www.aryc.org/
Maintained by volunteers through the Reformed Churches of New Zealand, Cadets & GEMS is a Christian youth program for boys and girls between the ages of eight and fifteen. Children participating in the program take part in Bible studies, badge work, crafts, games, camps, and other outings. Special projects and events are highlighted on the site, a directory of club locations is presented, a catalog of supplies, as well as parent and leader resources, are included.
http://rcnzonline.com/cadetsandgems/
Containing articles that are theological in nature, as well as covering pastoral subjects and general areas of Christian living, Faith in Focus is the denominational magazine of the Reformed Churches of New Zealand. Published each month, except for January, the magazine is available by subscription. Featured articles are included on its website, and archives of past editions can be downloaded in PDF format. Contacts and links to other online Reformed resources are included.
http://faithinfocus.org.nz/
Organized by the Mainland Regional Youth Committee, the MRYC is made up of youth from Reformed Churches on the South Island of New Zealand, for which the Committee organizes events throughout the year, including camps, mid-year events, Bible studies, trips, and other events. Schedules of upcoming events are posted to the site, along with photographs and videos of past events, committee introductions, a telephone number, and a contact form.
http://rcnzonline.com/mryc/
Reformed Congregation of Carterton
Located in Carterton, in the Wellington Region of New Zealand, the church is a member of the Reformed Churches of New Zealand. Its site discusses the historic background of the Reformed churches, the distinctive features of Reformed doctrine, and its creeds, along with answering questions about the church. Program schedules, a calendar of events, an overview of its ministries, an audio sermon archive, and links to other online resources and Bible study aids.
https://www.rcnz.org/
The Reformed Churches of New Zealand
The RCNZ is a federation of churches spread throughout New Zealand. Through its official website, member churches can be found by location, which includes links to each local church website, service times, the physical address, a map, and contacts. Its beliefs, creeds, and confessions are defined, and an overview of its missions, youth programs, and schedules are included. Other resources include written sermons, liturgical forms, and publications.
https://rcnz.org.nz/
Trinity Reformed Baptist Church
As a Reformed congregation, the church believes that the Bible is the only infallible standard, and that salvation is by grace alone, faith alone, and Christ alone, and for the glory of God. The Reformed doctrine is highlighted, the church’s pastor is introduced, and directions are given to the church in Hamilton, on the North Island of New Zealand. Directions, parking information, meeting times, and a calendar of programs and events are posted.
https://www.trbc.org.nz/
