About ACMNZ - Churchnetwork

Check it out….

1. What is ACMNZ?

It is a supportive network of local churches and their various ministries recognized at local level. It may also include specialized ministries such as education trusts, chaplains, travelling ministries etc. All such have requested association and commit themselves thereby to be supportive of others in the network.

2. Is ACMNZ controlled from overseas?

No. It is totally indigenous to New Zealand, led by New Zealanders, raised up by the Holy Spirit in our nation.

3. What is the vision of ACMNZ?

Our vision is for New Testament purpose, purity, passion, pattern and power! Our vision is obviously the cause of Christ – to go to the unsaved in our world and win them to Christ. Then to disciple them in everything Jesus and the first apostles and prophets taught.
We actively fulfill the apostolic vision revealed historically in the Book of Acts and continued in teaching in the New Testament books of strengthening local churches and their leaders. Strong leaders grow strong churches. Strong churches become strategic bases for evangelism, church planting and the birthing of new ministries.

4. How did ACMNZ begin?

Every vision begins with leadership that God raises up and anoints by the Holy Spirit. This leadership becomes the vision carrier or the vision caster. Under the leading of the Holy Spirit others will be raised up to move the vision forward. In this regard ACMNZ looks for apostolic ministries who carry vision, not just administrators or managers, Godly though they may be. National leadership requires gifting that projects and produces growth. No ‘elitism’ is intended with these statements; simply that we need to understand the purpose of all the Ephesians 4:11 gifting.
In 1992 Graham A Cruickshank received a personal visitation of the Lord and a commission to mentor and mature local churches and ministries. Graham carries a recognized apostolic call in his life that is international. Those among whom He ministers acknowledge his fatherly role and giftings.
Graham comes from pioneer Pentecostal stock going back to the late 1930′s. He has served in senior roles at national and regional levels. He is a church planter, excellent Bible teacher, with the gift of an evangelist as well. He and his wife Tui, pastored Christian Renewal Fellowship Whangarei, for twenty seven years, as well as planting two daughter churches in the area. Graham founded a Bible College ministry and taught for 30 years. His graduate students are doing excellent work in leadership both in New Zealand and overseas and hundreds of men and women have been trained through this ministry.
In later years the Holy Spirit gave clear independent witness of Graham’s calling to apostolic function. In this Holy Spirit ordained capacity, Graham serves networks of churches in ACMNZ, the Pacific Islands, India, Myanmar (Burma), in several African nations, and in the USA. Numerous ministries have confirmed this apostolic role. Visionary leadership provides stability and growth in ACMNZ. In 2012 Graham and Tui formed two new ministries – Life 4U is a vibrant local church in Whangarei and Life 4Nations is the global outreach arm. Life 4U Bible college continues Graham’s Bible and leadership equipping for Christian service.

5. What is ACMNZ’s position as to belief?

Briefly expressed we would be viewed as fundamentalist (believing in the literal truth of the whole Bible); evangelical (believing in the once-for-all atonement and physical resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ); and Holy Spirit honouring (truly honouring the person and work of the Holy Spirit as the Father and our Lord Jesus specified). We believe, preach and see demonstrated, baptisms in the Holy Spirit and the manifestation of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
A strong current of revival and reformation is found among us. Repentance and holiness of living are important to us.

6. A “supportive network”… What does that mean?

The foundational vision included raising up new ministries – to mentor, father and coach them. It also specifically included those who had become broken down or politicked against, yet carried a valid call from the Lord. Too many valid ministries are discarded. We believe in restoration and healing.
We also believe in standing together, being supportive in prayer, counsel, reaching out a helping hand, affirming others, importantly helping them fulfill what our Lord Jesus has laid upon their heart to do.
ACMNZ is not about domination and control. Our Lord Jesus, Paul and Peter all spoke out against this. ACMNZ local church leaders wish to serve and affirm others to fulfill God’s purposes in their lives. Our senior ministries nationally serve in the same attitude.
A “supportive network” also provides a framework of accountability. All servants of God need this.

7. Why is networking so important?

Every church and every ministry at some time in their life or perhaps many times, will need the support of other believers, particularly in counsel and direction. This support should not be general: it must be committed. This support should not be over powering or dominating either. In ACMNZ we reject manipulating, dominating ministries whose aims and methods result in control. Christ is the Head of the Church and all our efforts in networking should ensure that remains central.
Networking is the opposite of independence and ‘lonerism’. Networking means that each local church retains full responsibility for their local vision that Jesus has entrusted to them. Often we find that local churches or ministries fear losing local control or that there will be interference from outside in their local affairs.
Our vision is to assist churches and ministries to achieve what the Lord has called them to do.
Networking is a protection. It is not Biblical to be a loner. Some leaders, even some churches are loners! It may be upbringing, lack of experience, previous ministry or denominational hurts. A root cause can occasionally be arrogance. Sadly some loners are control freaks. There is safety and wisdom in building good relationships with ministries and churches that you can trust.
Networking has the advantage of synergy. Working together can often achieve more than doing things on your own.
Networking enhances your ministries standing beyond your local sphere. ACMNZ’s national contact directory lists the ministries recognized by each local church. This in turn becomes a reference point. Also other leaders and churches know you exist!
Networking assists ministry supply. As the network grows requests come in for ministry candidates. While usually most churches train up their own local people, situations arise where new ministry is called for. Networking assists that need. Travelling ministries sometimes request itineraries to be arranged for them. ACMNZ’s national overseer can contact appropriate leaders to see if they would like the travelling ministries. It’s a win-win situation.
Networking is not about taking. It is all about giving! The key vision of networking is the New Testament apostolic vision- strengthening leaders and strengthening local churches.
Acts 15:36, 41; 16:5; Acts 18:23. Also the pastoral epistles 1 and 2 Timothy, and Titus.

8. What is the relationship between local churches and senior ministry function regionally and nationally in ACMNZ?

This Question is important and deserves honest answers.
We view the local church as a basic building block in the Body of Christ. The first apostles immediately formed new converts into local churches, then they placed leadership. They set standards for this leadership and defined the relationships between congregational members and their leaders. Local believers were taught not to forsake the local church gatherings.
Local church leadership has a Holy Spirit given role (Acts 20:28) and as such must always be respected. We honour the Lordship of our risen Saviour as the Head of the Church demonstrated vividly in Revelation chapters 2&3. We also honour the Holy Spirit’s Lordship in directing ministries and conveying the purpose and passion of the Head of the Church.
There are also senior ministries given by Christ to His body (1 Corinthians 12:28; Ephesians 4:11). We are living in a time when the roles of apostles and prophets are being restored, recognized and understood. These ministries are important to the wider Body and carry giftings and authority in that from the Lord. They often serve as link ministries between leaders and local churches.
ACMNZ recognizes that we are living in a time of restoration in the Body of Christ worldwide. We recognize the New Testament pattern of both local church and senior ministry function. All the Ephesians 4:11 gifts are found among our leadership. Our senior ministries do not go in upon local churches without the consent of their respective elderships.

9. What is the national organisational framework of ACMNZ?

Anything of a national or regional makeup will need basic structure and an understood way of functioning.
ACMNZ is led by an apostolic national overseer. As the network grows, assistant national overseers will be placed. We already have regional overseers functioning well. None are paid salaries or koha by ACMNZ. This is testimony to the dedication they carry as well as the goodwill of the churches they lead.
We want to keep our structures simple, relevant, flexible, relational rather than institutional, visionary, Biblical in pattern.

10. Does ACMNZ host a national convention?

Yes. Each year in term 1, ACMNZ hosts a 3-4 day convention, the main thrust being New Testament apostolic vision to strengthen leaders and to strengthen local churches. Our conventions are not business conferences but powerful times in the Holy Spirit for leadership up-skilling, honing the cutting edge of ministry, repair and maintenance ministry for battle worn warriors, relationship building and prophetic ministry.
In this setting, both the apostolic and prophetic giftings stand out more prominently as this is ministry to leaders.
All the Convention meetings are open to the wider body of Christ. If you are interested in attending our annual convention, please contact us.
Between convention meetings our national overseer meets with other ACMNZ leaders nationally and regionally. Other interest groups within our ranks utilize this come-together-time in a similar way.

11. What about credentials?

We prefer to call this “recognition of ministry”.
We all recognize that ministry calling is given by our Lord Jesus Christ, the head of the church. That calling is empowered by the Holy Spirit. All of this is supernatural.
Ministry recognition is our response to recognize and honour those whom our Lord Jesus has called.
Our emphasis on local church is clearly seen in this. Our policy is for each local church to choose who their leadership will be, and the respective responsibilities that leadership will discharge at whatever level of responsibility entrusted to them.
Most local churches are not proactive in stimulating the recognition process. Local churches should be the birthing and developing place of Christian service. It should be an exciting process!
Our national directory publishes the names of those as advised by local churches. This becomes a form of testimonial nationally and is valuable as such.
We honour the spouses in our recognition of ministry for they are one flesh together. We honour women in ministry as well as men. We recognize our up-and-coming youth ministries, for God calls people from early youth.
ACMNZ has a resource paper on Recognition of Ministry. Well worth every eldership reading and studying it together.
All ministries recognized by local churches and ACMNZ are expected to have received the Holy Spirit baptism and have the qualifications taught by Paul and Peter as it related to overseers (elders).
It is expected that the qualifications listed in scripture for overseers will be carefully followed so that leadership is exercised with biblical integrity.
1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:1-4
Sometimes people ask who may be credentialed? It is a valid question and deserves answers. Any of the Ephesians 4:11 ministries qualify, elders, youth pastors or assistant youth pastors, business pastors, creative ministries; chaplains to state schools, industry or senior citizens; principals of Christian schools, and so on. Paul noted both men and woman who had laboured in Christian service. He honoured them and commended them in writing to others. Let us not be backward in recognizing God-called people. The harvest is plentiful but the shortage is for labourers. Recognition rewards and encourages labourers. The local church’s recognition constitutes credentialing for ACMNZ.

12. Any special features?

In a relatively young national network of churches it has to be amazing that we have 2 Christian Schools educating nearly 200 students with Christ-centred values.
Another point is our strong non compromise style of youth work. Great results with this.
Bible in Schools is another strong point as well as school chaplaincy. ACMNZ is a fully participating member of the Churches Education Commission which oversees all Bible in Schools and School Chaplaincy programmes in New Zealand.
Our churches have strong evangelistic and missions vision. Church planting is actively undertaken.
We have an effective Bible College in Whangarei, where the apostolic impact of our National Overseer raises up new ministries. Many of ACMNZ’s recognized ministries were trained by our National Overseer.

13. How does one associate?

Simply email us requesting to associate.
An independent local church, a house church, together with their leaders plus leaders in Christian ministry in other spheres of service may apply to associate.
An application to associate demonstrates that the applicant will commit to be supportive of the network and the churches and leaders in it.
Please give your name as the pastor and leader and the name of your church group as appropriate. Please state all of your contact details e.g. postal address, phone and fax any e-mail or website particulars as relevant.
Applicants’ lives should be of sound Christian character and of the standard of overseers as described in the New Testament.
There are no application fees, and we will respond promptly to your application.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. Feel free to recommend ACMNZ to any whom you feel it would assist.

14. Review the Belief Statement

Click here to go to our Belief Statement