Breakaway groups Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand

several groups have broken away presbyterian church of aotearoa new zealand because of liberal theology.

in late 1940s migrants netherlands settling in new zealand expected find spiritual homes in existing churches of reformed persuasion, particularly presbyterian church of new zealand. instead found departures reformed doctrine , practice not overlook. study committee traced problem declaratory act of 1901, made distinction between traditional understanding of bible being word of god , newer view sees word of god being contained in scripture. act which, committee believed, allowed church accept office bearers, did not believe in literal virgin birth of christ (for example) when subscribed westminster confession.

as result, reformed churches of new zealand officially established in 1953 @ meeting (synod) in wellington churches auckland, wellington , christchurch represented. 1 congregation in bucklands beach in auckland left denomination en masse , joined new church. on years further congregations have been established, , denomination comprises twenty congregations.

one group under george mackenzie left in 1960s , formed orthodox presbyterian church of new zealand.

often confused breakaway church grace presbyterian church of new zealand, group of pre-existing independent churches united new denomination. there confusion because church contains significant number of former members of presbyterian church of aotearoa new zealand have sought more theologically conservative alternative.