We are a religious society because we believe that human beings have something of the divine within and so are spiritual temples of God. Our name derives from this concept, which contains a double implication:
(i) Each individual is called upon to recognize that he or she is a "temple of God", in whom God's Spirit lives (see 1 Corinthians 3;16),
(ii) People are called upon to act together as "living building stones of God's spiritual temple" (see 1 Peter 2:5).
The name Temple thus refers to both individuals and communities in the sense of Ephesians 2:19-22: on the foundations of the apostles and prophets and in union with Christ Jesus, the cornerstone, we too are built up into a spiritual dwelling place (temple) for God.
We are a Christian society because we try to follow the teachings of Jesus and his central message about the kingdom of God as recorded in the New Testament and as summed up by the twin commandments: love God with all your being and love your neighbour as you love yourself (see Matthew 22:37-39).
In this central message of Jesus, the founders of the Temple Society saw a clear definition of humanity's task in the world. They believed, as we do today, that this task can be carried out more effectively in communities of people with the same focus (see Matthew 18:20).
Accordingly, the aim of the Temple Society and of its individual members is the fulfilment of what Jesus envisaged as God's kingdom on earth by putting his message of love into practice in daily life. We have faith that our inevitable failings will be forgiven as we forgive those who hurt us. Templers are people who accept the responsibility of conscientiously working towards the achievement of this aim. Our motto is
"Set your mind on God's kingdom and his justice before everything else, and all the rest will come to you as well" (Matthew 6:33).
We are an independent society because we are not affiliated with any other Christian church or denomination. We are non-dogmatic and have no fixed creed, liturgy or sacraments. But we strive to establish and nurture Christian fellowship and recognize a bond with all those who work for the good of humanity.
Our background is German and many of us cherish our rich cultural heritage. However, we do not see ourselves as an ethnic group because our aim is religious and transcends nationality. The Temple Society in Germany and in Australia, though independent regions, share a common faith, aim and traditions.
The Temple Society Australia holds regular religious services at: Bayswater, Bentleigh, Boronia and the Templer Home for the Aged, all in Melbourne; in central country Victoria and in Sydney NSW and Tanunda SA. These services are mainly in English. Sunday School and Kids' Club are held at most services in Melbourne. Templer Elders also hold presentation (of young children), confirmation, marriage and funeral services, religious discussions and seminars.
We operate a fully approved Age Care Facility for the Elderly, the Frail and the Invalid in our TABULAM & TEMPLER HOMES FOR THE AGED establishment, run in partnership with the "Australian German Welfare Society" at our Bayswater Community Center.
We have a care worker, a playgroup, German language schools, teenagers' group, youth group, camps, ladies' groups, a choir, tennis and bowling clubs, and run an exchange program with the Temple Society in Germany.
In Australia the Temple Society publishes the Templer Record monthly.
Updated 23 March 2009 by A. Klink