Jim Williams (pastor)
Encyclopedia
Sydney James Williams (b 11 September 1935) is a former pastor and leader of one of the most influential churches in the Assemblies of God in New Zealand
. He is a published author and a former General Superintendent of the NZ Assembly of God. He is currently pastoring in Brisbane.
as General Superintendent of the NZ AoG
. He proved a dynamic leader, gaining popularity as a speaker with his regular programme on the newly formed Radio Rhema
. As Carew notes this lifted the Assemblies of God’s profile considerably.
The denomination as a whole was experiencing new growth:
Williams became a published author with a work based on the book of Proverbs called Wisdom - the missing link a book on handling pastoral problems.
One of the most difficult things he had to manage as General Superintendent was the fallout following the revelation of the financial and moral failure of Neville Johnson
then pastor
of the largest church in Australasia, the Queen Street Assembly of God
.
In 1994 the Executive of the NZ AoG received a letter from the Australian Assemblies stating that Williams had been guilty of adultery while pastor at the Hamilton Assembly. Williams was replaced as Pastor of the Garden City Christian Church by his deputy Senior Pastor, Pastor Geoff Holdway. Ps Holdway differed from Williams charismatic style by focusing on a more fundamental adherence and teaching of scripture. This was based on his background in the baptist theological seminary with a much more pentecostal emphasis on scriptural interpretation.
At this time Williams was pastoring in Australia. He lost his Australian credentials, but these were eventually returned after a time of counseling. However he remained barred from ministry in the NZ AoG due to a failure to make any efforts to put the matter right in New Zealand.
In 2000 it became apparent that the extent of his sexual impropriety was much greater than admitted to the Australian body. His credentials in New Zealand were permanently revoked for adulterous offences and other indiscretions involving different women over an extended period of years.
Following this the Hamilton Assembly (Gateway Christian Centre) left the denomination.
Assemblies of God in New Zealand
The Assemblies of God in New Zealand is a Pentecostal denomination in New Zealand and a member of the World Assemblies of God Fellowship, the world's largest Pentecostal denomination. In 2007, the denomination had nearly 200 congregations and preaching points and 30,000 members and adherents,...
. He is a published author and a former General Superintendent of the NZ Assembly of God. He is currently pastoring in Brisbane.
Early ministry
Williams received his training at a Bible College in Tauranga. In 1972 he moved with his wife Betty to became pastor of the Hamilton Assembly of God. During his ministry there his influence extended outside his local church through a series of conferences on church growth that attracted many from other pentecostal denominations as well. In 1975 he became a member of the executive of the NZ AoG.Leadership and influence
In 1979 Williams followed Frank HoustonFrank Houston
Frank Houston , was a Pentecostal Christian pastor in the Assemblies of God in New Zealand and Australia....
as General Superintendent of the NZ AoG
Assemblies of God in New Zealand
The Assemblies of God in New Zealand is a Pentecostal denomination in New Zealand and a member of the World Assemblies of God Fellowship, the world's largest Pentecostal denomination. In 2007, the denomination had nearly 200 congregations and preaching points and 30,000 members and adherents,...
. He proved a dynamic leader, gaining popularity as a speaker with his regular programme on the newly formed Radio Rhema
Radio Rhema
New Zealand's Rhema is an evangelical Christian talk and music radio network owned and operated by Rhema Broadcasting Group since 1978. The network currently features programmes from Aaron Ironside, Laurel McCulloch, Rob Holding and Rosemary Jane and pre-recorded daily preaching from Joyce Meyer,...
. As Carew notes this lifted the Assemblies of God’s profile considerably.
The denomination as a whole was experiencing new growth:
Williams became a published author with a work based on the book of Proverbs called Wisdom - the missing link a book on handling pastoral problems.
One of the most difficult things he had to manage as General Superintendent was the fallout following the revelation of the financial and moral failure of Neville Johnson
Neville Johnson
Neville Johnson is a former Missionary and Pastor in the Assemblies of God church in New Zealand. For most of the 1970s his church was the largest Pentecostal church in Australasia. He currently runs a ministry called The Living Word Foundation....
then pastor
Pastor
The word pastor usually refers to an ordained leader of a Christian congregation. When used as an ecclesiastical styling or title, this role may be abbreviated to "Pr." or often "Ps"....
of the largest church in Australasia, the Queen Street Assembly of God
Queen Street Assembly of God
The Queen Street Assembly of God is the commonly used name for the Auckland Assembly of God during its heyday in the late 1970s and early 1980s when it was the largest church in Australasia...
.
Departure from New Zealand
Williams left for Australia in March 1989, the leadership of the AoG then passing to Pastor Wayne Hughes. In Australia Williams served in what was then known as the Garden City Church in Brisbane.In 1994 the Executive of the NZ AoG received a letter from the Australian Assemblies stating that Williams had been guilty of adultery while pastor at the Hamilton Assembly. Williams was replaced as Pastor of the Garden City Christian Church by his deputy Senior Pastor, Pastor Geoff Holdway. Ps Holdway differed from Williams charismatic style by focusing on a more fundamental adherence and teaching of scripture. This was based on his background in the baptist theological seminary with a much more pentecostal emphasis on scriptural interpretation.
At this time Williams was pastoring in Australia. He lost his Australian credentials, but these were eventually returned after a time of counseling. However he remained barred from ministry in the NZ AoG due to a failure to make any efforts to put the matter right in New Zealand.
In 2000 it became apparent that the extent of his sexual impropriety was much greater than admitted to the Australian body. His credentials in New Zealand were permanently revoked for adulterous offences and other indiscretions involving different women over an extended period of years.
Following this the Hamilton Assembly (Gateway Christian Centre) left the denomination.