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Pacific Islanders' Synod Review Committee

Terms of Reference

(1) The 1998 General Assembly agreed "That the Council of Assembly be responsible for setting up and conducting a review of the Pacific Islanders' Synod pilot scheme, and report to the General Assembly in 2002 with recommendations".

(2) The 2000 General Assembly agreed (00.132) "That this Assembly in confirming the 1998 Assembly decision to review the pilot Pacific Islanders' Synod appoint the Very Rev Bruce Hansen to convene that review; the Committee to be appointed by the Council of Assembly".

(3) The Council of Assembly at its meeting on 11 November 2000 agreed "That the Review Committee, chaired by the Very Rev Bruce Hansen be Mrs Mona Riini, the Rev Mana Tavelia, Mr Hamish Crooks, and the Rev Saifalepolu Si'itia-Asi".

Synopsis

This report addresses:

• A brief review of events leading to the formation of a pilot Pacific Islanders' Synod.
• Matters concerning membership and functioning of the Synod.
• The role of the Synod Executive and its membership.
• The provision of initial funding for the Synod Executive.
• The relationship to Presbyteries and ethnic groups.
• Summary.

Recommendations

(1) That the General Assembly agree to the establishment of a Pacific Islanders' Synod within the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand and that the Constitution for the Synod be sent down to Presbyteries and Parishes under the Barrier Act.

(2) That the Pacific Islanders' Synod be asked to review its criteria for membership in order to provide as high a level of participation as possible from all Pacific Island groups and members within the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand.

(3) That the membership of the Executive Committee of the Synod be the Moderator, the Clerk, the Treasurer, and up to 5 members elected annually by each of the fono/ethnic groups represented within the Synod.

(4) That the General Assembly authorize the payment of up to $70,000 per annum for 3 years in order to fund the work of the Pacific Islanders' Synod Executive in establishing the Synod.

(5) That the General Assembly in recognizing the role of the Pacific Islanders' Synod within the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand instruct all Presbyteries that before a Presbytery proceeds with any matter that may involve or impinge upon the work of any Pacific Island minister or congregation within their bounds, that they consult with and seek the opinion and guidance of the Pacific Islanders' Synod in that matter.

Report

1. Personal

1.1 We record the deep loss to this Committee and to the whole Church in the unexpected and untimely death of the Rev Manatoa Tavelia on 14 July 2001, and we extend to his wife Mele and to their family our continuing condolences and prayers.

2. Process

2.1 In April and May of 2001 the Committee, by direct mailing to Presbytery Clerks and through the Church's monthly mailing to Ministers and Parishes, invited people to make submissions to the Committee expressing their viewpoints and opinions on the work and place of the Pacific Islanders' Synod within the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand. Over 50 written submissions were received by the Committee.

2.2 In August 2001 the Committee having written to all Presbyteries and to all Pacific Island Ministers and Congregations, travelled throughout the country and met with over 400 people in 11 separate locations.

2.3 Further consultations, conversations and consideration have followed from those meetings. This has included discussion with representatives of the Pacific Islanders' Synod Executive and the Special Committee on a Pacific Islanders' Synod Constitution.

1. A brief history of the development of the proposal for a Pacific Islanders' Synod

1.1 In 1947 the Pacific Islanders' Congregational Church was formally recognized within the Congregational Union of New Zealand.

1.2 In 1969 a number of ministers and congregations from within the Congregational Union joined the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand. This included a number of Pacific Island ministers and congregations.

1.3 The 1991 General Assembly agreed to consultations taking place between the Assembly Pacific Island Committee and representatives of other Assembly committees. Consultations took place in June 1992 and October 1993. At this second meeting, senior Ministers from each of the Pacific Island groups in the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand were also included. It was from this consultation that the concept of a Pacific Island Synod emerged. The report to the 1994 General Assembly stated that it was understood that within the three Court structure of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand Synods exist "with provisions to administer their own affairs".

1.4 The 1994 General Assembly agreed

(i) That the Assembly approve in principle the formation of a Pacific Islanders' Synod and

(ii) That a Special Committee be appointed to prepare details for the constitution of a Pacific Islanders' Synod for presentation to the General Assembly, the Special Committee to report first to the 1995 Assembly.

1.5 The 1998 General Assembly gave approval to the establishment of a Pacific Islanders' Synod on an experimental basis to take effect from 1 December 1998 to function as a pilot scheme until 2002. The 1998 Constitution was adopted ad interim and referral under the Barrier Act was postponed until 2002.

1.6 Since December 1998 the Synod has functioned, initially on a "non-funded" basis and more recently with Assembly funding for the Synod Executive. A fono Samoa group has been formed (all ethnic groups now have their own structures in place for meeting for cultural and fellowship purposes) and "gatherings" of the Synod have been held. These developments have generally found favour with those attending but have lacked any authority to develop policy or strategy.

2. Membership of the Synod

2.1 At the Consultation in 1992, and since that time, proponents of the Synod have stressed their desire for a partnership relationship by which Pacific Island people within the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand might relate to the wider church.

2.2 We, the Review Committee have heard that aspiration and call for partnership echoed many times in the course of our work.

2.3 However we are concerned that the Constitution requires that all Pacific Island ministers and congregations must declare whether they wish, for all constitutional or formal purposes, to be members within the Pacific Island Synod or to remain under the jurisdiction of their Presbytery. This has been divisive and created a "them" and "us" mentality. In terms of the Synod representing the voice of Pacific Islanders within the Church this distinction disenfranchises those who choose to come under the authority of their Presbytery.

2.4 For a partnership to be effective between the Synod and other Courts of the Church it would be desirable for the Synod to represent as fully as possible the voice and voices of Pacific Island people in the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand.

2.5 The Review Committee are suggesting that this would best be achieved if membership in the Pacific Islanders' Synod is based on a person's belonging to an ethnic or fono group. If the fono groups are then represented on the Synod Executive, this would give a wider representation on the Executive and would more fully represent the views of Pacific Island people within the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand.

2.6 We are grateful to the Special Committee on the Synod Constitution who have sought to accommodate this in to their report to this Assembly.

2.7 We are asking the Synod to pursue this goal of inclusivity in any future development of its structure and functions.

3. Administration of the Synod

3.1 In reporting the outcome of the 1992 and 1993 consultations to the 1994 General Assembly, the Committee stated "The Pacific Island Churches have clearly stated their wish to remain part of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand. What is sought is greater autonomy, freedom and responsibility for the oversight of Christ's mission among Pacific Islanders, under the authority of the General Assembly".

3.2 The Constitution (9.1) provides for an annual meeting of the Synod and "such other meetings as will help the Synod to fulfil its purpose and mission".

3.3 The Review Committee believe that in order to be able to fulfil its functions (a) in exercising oversight of mission among Pacific Island congregations and (b) in relating in partnership to Presbyteries, the Synod will require a more flexible structure than is provided for in the above provision.

3.4 We are therefore suggesting an Executive that would be made up of representatives from each of the Pacific Island ethnic groups. This Executive would be able to respond quickly and effectively to issues as they arise, and would represent a wide spectrum of Pacific Island opinion and viewpoints. It would also be able to refer matters to ethnic or other groups within the Synod for their opinion or consideration.

3.5 Such a structure would also presuppose an identified office (or officer) of the Synod through which (whom) all communications would be made both to and by the Synod.

4. Funding

4.1 The Special Committee in its report to the 1998 General Assembly stated "These matters (costings) were not included in the Special Committee's terms of reference, nor has the Special Committee run costings...The Constitution lays down that the Pacific Islanders' Synod will be responsible for its [own] finances".

4.2 Under these circumstances the 1998 General Assembly agreed to the establishment of a pilot Synod with a structure but without authority and with no available financial resources.

4.3 We are suggesting that for the Synod to operate in oversight of Pacific Island congregations and ministers, and to relate to other Church Courts, then a (part-time) Executive Officer (the Clerk) and a functioning and fully resourced Executive Committee are essential.

4.4 The Constitution (5.3) also allows for the Moderator to represent the Synod "on all official occasions". This too will not be achieved without provision for expenses.

4.5 The Review Committee are suggesting the allocation of a sum of $70,000 per annum for up to 3 years to meet the costs of these activities.

4.6 The Committee are also suggesting that during that 3 year period the Synod be asked to review how it will fulfil its functions and to consider how that should be financed in the longer term.

5. Relationship to Presbyteries

5.1 In its report to the 200 General Assembly the Special Committee reported: "Occasions have arisen in which communication between Presbytery and Pacific Islanders' Synod has been inadequate or misunderstood or ignored. All such occasions are hurtful; most are avoidable".

5.2 It is clear to the Review Committee that this is the area in which there is most difficulty, and most pain. Often this has occurred where a new congregation has been established without reference to other courts or congregations already exercising ministry in that same geographic area.

5.3 It is also the case that some Pacific Island congregations and ministers who choose to come under the oversight of the Synod nevertheless find that because of their geographic location and isolation they look to their local Presbytery for their regular and ongoing support and oversight.

5.4 The amendment to the Constitution (10.2) adopted by the 2000 General Assembly states that: "New Congregations shall not be established by one Court without close consultation and agreement between the Pacific Islanders' Synod and the relevant Presbytery or Union District Council".

5.5 We are suggesting that this be extended beyond the establishment of new parishes and congregations to include all matters that impinge upon the work of a Pacific Island minister or congregation. This would include the situation in multi-cultural parishes where there are European and Pacific Island Congregations within the one parish and/or under the joint care of one minister.

6. Summary

6.2 The Review Committee have received diverse, conflicting and even contradictory submissions on the necessity for and appropriateness of a Pacific Islanders' Synod.

6.3 Some submissions proposed that the status quo should continue and that Pacific Island congregations and ministers should continue to come under the oversight and authority of their local Presbytery.

6.4 Most submissions have accepted that there are cultural considerations that would be best recognized and addressed in ethnic groups and within a Synod. However, some have expressed hesitations concerning (a) the financial cost and (b) the level of authority that a Synod would have and how that would be exercised in relation to Presbyteries.

6.5 The Committee is of the view that some, in fact most, of the questions and reservations that have been expressed to us should be addressed by Pacific Islanders themselves within a Pacific Island forum and in conversations with other Church Courts and Committees. However without a Synod there is no forum for Pacific Islanders to have these conversations and no "partner" to present the Pacific Island voice.

6.6 We as a Committee support the establishment of the Pacific Island Synod within the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand. We believe that it will give recognition to the place of Pacific Island people within the Church and will allow the voice of Pacific Island people to be heard and their aspirations to be addressed.

6.7 Such a Synod will over time be subject to change and to growth. The relationship to Presbyteries and to the Assembly will also be one that will require confidence, respect and trust and these things will also take time.

Bruce Hansen

Convener

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