Howick Presbyterian Church has been a worshipping community in East Auckland ever since 1854, and the traditions and values passed down to us are a cherished part of our heritage. Although the gospel we proclaim is the same eternal truth, today's Christians have very different ways of expressing and developing their spirituality. Howick Presbyterian Church has endeavoured to adjust to these changing needs and offers a variety of ministries to help people of all ages connect with God. Underpinning all these activities are some core values that express our unique calling as a faith community of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand.
What do we value highly at St. Andrew’s Howick?
Our Reformed heritage – cherishing the Word of God contained in the Christian scriptures, and illuminated by the ancient Westminster Confessions
Our Presbyterian government - rule by elders chosen by the congregation, at local, regional and national level
Our educated leadership – ministers all have tertiary qualifications and are required to engage in continuing ministry education
Our commitment to sharing the good news of the gospel with others - and challenging believers to make a public profession of faith
Our inclusion of the children of believers as participants in the church family – expressed in infant baptism or dedication
Our historic tradition of quarterly communion - a worship highlight
Our unique system of intentional pastoral care of members by the appointed elders
What characteristics distinguish our St. Andrew’s congregation within the Church?
A close relationship with the Taiwanese congregation that shares our church centre.
A team-based strategy of combining ordained leadership (ministers/ elders) with lay people for effective oversight of the life of the church -opportunities for member involvement in worship, learning, serving and management
A willingness to accommodate worship patterns to the musical preferences of various groups
A concern to motivate each believer to take seriously their own spiritual growth
A commitment to regular opportunities for all ages to worship, socialise and laugh together
A vital youth ministry to which we have dedicated major resources, e.g. fulltime youth worker, part-time children’s coordinator
An aim of offering friendship and hospitality to visitors to our services
A concern that our excellent Centre facilities be used seven days a week by both church and community organisations
A variety of community ministries reaching out to the needy – Opportunity Shop, Paper Depot and Food Bank
A willingness to support mission in local schools through religious education
The provision of means of regular written communication for building relationships and imparting values
An integrity in the managing and reporting of financial matters
The intention to model, as a faith community, qualities of love, compassion, equality, loyalty, grace, joy and hope.
Values we have placed before us as areas in which we would like to grow:
Reliance on the ministry of the Holy Spirit in our lives as individuals and as a church – using the Alpha programme, small groups and a renewed emphasis on prayer
Understanding of spiritual gifts and assisting all to focus service in their area of giftedness
Releasing people into Christian ministries beyond our own local church
Active support and encouragement of the wider church in our local community, so as to ‘maintain the unity of the spirit in the bonds of peace’
Responding to the vast changes occurring in modern society by keeping a good balance of structure and flexibility
Understanding of, and practical commitment to, the biblical principles of planned proportional giving
Commitment to support of specific contexts of overseas mission
