SUMMARY:
...recommended that there should be a simple arrangement to enable sound biblical fellowships and ministers to network in a recognised manner.
Working Together
DURING the CWM tour of Dave Hunt in Brisbane and Melbourne (September 2004) two adhoc discussion meetings recommended that there should be a simple arrangement to enable sound biblical fellowships and ministers to network in a recognised manner.
This would help towards the fulfilment of our long expressed aim to “gather the faithful remnant” in the spirit of Malachi 3:16, which has particular relevance to the end time:
Then they that feared the LORD spoke often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written
before Him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon His name. —
Malachi 3:16
Our aim is to create a support base for ministers and groups who may be isolated in their stand for truth amidst all the apostasy and declension that is so apparent in Christendom in our time.
There is no desire or intention to form a hard and fast system.
We will steadfastly resist any drift into a hierarchical structure.
We declare our position to be opposed to setting up any denomination or group that would in any way exercise authority or control over the local church anywhere.
One of the desires is to promote a “grass roots” movement to challenge the worldliness, false teaching and blatant immorality of some of those who are touted as today’s “Christian” or “Church” leaders.
We do not project this in a “holier than thou” spirit or attitude, but simply on the basis that we are convinced that the Bible demands a high standard of moral living and sound biblical teaching by those who are “leaders.”
Similar “grass roots” movements are developing in other countries.
For example a group of men, a number of whom were or are Assemblies of God ministers, formed what is now known as the International Christian Ministerial Association (ICMA) in Britain. Philip Powell is a member as are John Phillips, Edward Barclay and David Yarwood.
Rather than do our “own thing” (why re-invent the wheel?) it has been decided in consultation with the parent body in UK to form a branch of this ministerial association in our region.
This will be known as ICMA–Oceania.
Ministerial Association
Interested pastors and other Christian church workers who are currently credentialed with a local church or denomination, or who have held a recognised ministerial credential, are hereby invited to apply for a credential and certificate issued by ICMA.
So long as there is no doctrinal or moral
impediment ICMA–Oceania will, in line with
the procedure of our parent body in Britain, on
the completion of the Application for Ministerial
Status form and the payment of the prescribed
fee, issue the requested credential and certifi cates
— one large and the other for carrying in a wallet.
The credential is renewable annually.
In conjuction with full ministerial status
ICMA also offers Associate Membership to
those Christian church workers who have not
been ordained. In addition we are investigating
arrangements for those who are seeking to be
ordained. Training and/or a simple examination
will be required by those who have not been
previously ordained.
Long term, though not immediately, ICMA
will investigate the possibility of granting legal
authorisation for full Members to be able to
conduct marriages in the various states of
Australia and elsewhere.
In the meantime our
Acting Secretary who is himself a registered
marriage celebrant can advise anyone who needs
help in this area. In some cases he may be able to
act on your behalf.
Please feel free to request an application form
if the above applies to you and you would like
to be a part of what could be an exciting new chapter in the stand that so many of us have been
taking for truth.
Contact:
The Secretary, ICMA
P.O. Box 3085
Loganholme Qld 4129
corwin77@optushome.com.au
Recognised Churches
and Fellowships
In addition to the above, as many know, CWM has been building up a list of recognised and recommended Churches and Fellowships, which are detailed on our
CWM Fellowship website
If you agree with our
CWM Fellowship Statement of Faith and approve
of our
CWM Fellowship Missions Statement your fellowship is invited to join this list.
Eventually ICMA may have their own website
and the above details will then be transferred.
Presently CWM is pleased to offer this service.
Already we found it to be helpful when people
visiting from Ireland, who were looking for good
churches that they could visit during their holiday,
contacted us.
Another current benefit is that increasing numbers of people visit our
CWM websites looking for this sort of information.
About the Author...
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Web Site by
S & R Cope in association with
Appeared in Issue CETF 34 November 2005
"...contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints" -- Jude v3
© Copyright 2006 Christian Witness Ministries, except where noted. All rights reserved
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-Last revised-
Monday, October 09, 2006
