Congregational Union of New Zealand
Thursday, 19 July 2007 18:20
Main languages:
- English, Maori
Main religions:
- Christianity (54%), other (3%), unspecified (17%), none (26%)
Government:
- Commonwealth parliamentary democracy under a governor-general, an executive council and an elected house of representatives. The 1996 general election saw New Zealand shift to a mixed member proportional electoral system, giving a much greater role to the smaller parties.
National and community concerns:
- Unemployment.
- Suicide, abortion and rape.
- The growing number of single-parent families.
- Gambling.
- Pornography, domestic violence and broadcasting standards.
Church priorities and programmes:
- Community outreach to families in need (building families for life programme).
- Street outreach.
- A Christian school.
- Christian education in state schools.
- Training programmes for Christian outreach and service.
- Introducing Christ to the nation; support for island churches in New Zealand and abroad.
- Recently two new churches were received into the Union: the Mangere church (Niueans) and Manukau Congregational Church.
- Congregational Public Questions Committee, which targets areas of public concern such as aid to Mozambique, public health, growth of gambling.
Members/Congregations:
- 997/14
Women's representation in church:
- There is no bar to women serving in any leadership capacity.
- The assembly has as many women as men.
Youth activities:
- Sunday schools, Bible classes, youth outreach, community visits, Good News Clubs.
- Occasional inter-church visits.
Missionaries sent and received through CWM:
- None at present.
For more information:
Prayers:
- That the mission programme, In Jesus' Footsteps, continues to uplift churches.
- That young people will develop a deeper commitment to Jesus Christ.
- That families and individuals will find healing and love through the ministries of the churches.
- That the government of New Zealand will govern by the principles of the Lord Jesus Christ.
- That the CUNZ shares the good news with those who are turning from God.
- That women's ministries will continue to develop, and more women will take up leadership roles.
Feed me!