Sydney Christadelphian Ecclesia Incorporated (ABN 56 528 075 429) is a non-profit organisation registered with the Australian government under the Association Incorporation Act 1984.
You may wonder who we are. Who are the Christadelphians?
We are a group of believers in the Bible who meet together in Burwood – a suburb in the inner west area of Sydney, Australia. We form part of the worldwide Christadelphian community. . People usually refer to us as “Shaftesbury Road ecclesia”.
What is a ecclesia?
What does the word “ecclesia” mean? The New Testament was originally written in the Greek language. So the word is a Greek word which comes from this original Greek text.
This Greek word, ecclesia, is translated “church” in the English Bible. It means “an assembly of called out ones”, in other words, believers. The English word “church” therefore refers to the group of believers, rather than the physical building in which they meet. To avoid misunderstanding in the use of this term, Christadelphians usually refer to their “churches” as “ecclesias”.
Purpose of the ecclesia
The ecclesia has two areas of responsibility in fulfilling its function: to the members and to those outside. The advice given in the New Testament is mostly concerned with the ecclesia and its members. It tells of how its organisation should promote the development of the mature man in Christ Jesus.
So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. Ephesians 4:11-16
This, then, must be the important role today: the edification, that is, the building up, of the members in spiritual things; the development and maturing of their faith.
The ecclesia provides a community where fellowship, support and joint worship are available. The writer to the Hebrews encouraged the believers with these word:
let us draw near to God…..Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess…..And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:22-25
The ecclesia is to be a source of encouragement to faithful living and to a deeper understanding of the Truth.
Ecclesial aspirations
In 2006 we decided it was important to set down our aspirations as a group of believers. After prayer and discussion, the following is what we settled on. The ideas and motivations expressed are intended to drive all we do as an Ecclesia before God.
Our meetings and activities
We are an active Ecclesia with a range of activities designed to serve the needs of members of varied age and interests. These include memorial meeting, Sunday evening, Bible class, Sunday school, young people, Family camp, social get-togethers, etc.
What are our beliefs
Refer to page with a summary of our beliefs.
Care and welfare
Care and welfare of the members of the ecclesia is important for the overall wellbeing of the ecclesia.
Refer to page about care and welfare within the ecclesia.