Holroyd Christian Ministers Fellowship

The Holroyd Christian Ministers Fellowship (HCMF) was a small Australian nonprofit organization committed to fostering unity and cooperation among Christian churches and ministries in the Holroyd area of western Sydney, New South Wales. Established to provide a platform for Christian ministers to collaborate, support one another, and engage in community ministry, HCMF operated as a fellowship network facilitating joint Christian activities and community outreach.

Purpose and Activities

HCMF primarily aimed to encourage unity and shared ministry efforts among local churches. One of its key ministries was overseeing the Special Religious Education (SRE) program in local public schools within the Holroyd region. This program, which is part of the NSW Education Act, allowed Christian volunteers to teach religious education classes once a week, with parental consent. HCMF coordinated this initiative via the Holroyd SRE Board, partnering with local churches to employ part-time coordinators who managed SRE teaching in both primary and high schools. Volunteers from these churches conducted the classes using approved curricula, supporting the religious education of children in the community[4].

Organizational Structure

The fellowship held formal meetings typically every two months, on the third Tuesday of even-numbered months such as February, April, June, August, and October. It functioned as a charitable entity with a governance structure outlined in its constitution. It was registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC), identifying as a small charity focused on adults aged 25 to under 65[1][3].

Transition and Legacy

In 2024, after nearly a year of planning, the Holroyd Christian Ministers Fellowship transitioned into an incorporated association known as Cumberland Christian Churches and Ministries Incorporated (CCCM Inc). The final HCMF meeting was held on 13 August 2024. This transition aimed to expand and strengthen Christian collaboration and ministry efforts in the broader Cumberland area, including joining with Auburn Christian Churches to form one of the largest Christian unity movements in Cumberland City Council. CCCM Inc continues the mission of supporting and resourcing Christian leaders and churches to foster unity while celebrating diversity within the Christian community of western Sydney[2][5].

Summary

The Holroyd Christian Ministers Fellowship was a foundational Christian nonprofit in western Sydney that promoted ministerial fellowship, coordinated Special Religious Education in schools, and served as a platform for Christian unity in the Holroyd area. Its evolution into Cumberland Christian Churches and Ministries Incorporated marked a strategic development to broaden its impact and enhance Christian ministry collaboration in the wider Cumberland region.

Note: The organization was registered under Australian Business Number (ABN) 59978944944RR0001.

[1] https://www.acnc.gov.au/charity/charities/5ef5d851-38af-e811-a961-000d3ad24182/profile [2] http://www.holroyd-churches.org.au [3] https://acncpubfilesprodstorage.blob.core.windows.net/public/5ef5d851-38af-e811-a961-000d3ad24182-4d2a8e9a-b427-4a7e-9461-88b1013ca57a-Governing%20Document-8cce4efe-3eb0-e811-a963-000d3ad244fd-HCMF_constitution.pdf [4] https://www.cumberlandchurches.org.au/sre [5] https://www.cumberlandchurches.org.au