Our Churches

Types of churches

Types of churches

In the Auckland Diocese, we refer to our churches as parishes. Each has a defined geographical boundary, governing body and one or more church buildings.

Each parish is led by a vicar and governed by a vestry. The responsibilities of a parish are:

• to promote the worship of God the Holy Trinity;
• to proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom;
• to teach, baptise and nurture new believers;
• to respond to human need by loving service;
• to transform unjust structures of society, to challenge violence of every kind and pursue peace and reconciliation;
• to strive to safeguard the integrity of creation, and sustain and renew the life of the earth; and
• in accordance with the Constitution Te Pouhere, to function on the basis of partnership with Te Pīhopatanga o Aotearoa and the Diocese of Polynesia and their constituent parts.

Two other types of churches can be found in the diocese:

• mission venture – these are worshipping communities or groups within the diocese which are not parishes but have a formal association with the diocese. An ordained minister may be licensed to a mission venture.
• cooperating church – a parish made up of two or more congregations of different denominations (Anglican, Methodist and Presbyterian).