Home » Ministries » National Mission » Transition Ministry » Notes for Minisry Agreement

Transition Ministry

Notes for possible inclusion in Ministry Agreement between a Parish, a Transitional Minister, and the Presbytery.

Nature of Appointment

The appointment is by the Presbytery of ______ as a special form of Stated Supply: Transitional Ministry; for period beginning _______. The minister will be commissioned by and accountable tthe Presbytery.

Transitional Ministry

Transitional Ministry is the term used within the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand for 'Intentional Interim Ministry.' It is a form a specialist ministry for a fixed term tenable a parish tmake a constructive transition ta new ministry arrangement. Transition Ministers are expected thave skills, resources and approaches that will help a parish work through the five key tasks outlined in the schedule. Within the PCANZ Transition Ministry is seen as a special or particular form of Stated Supply. The regulations relating tSupply in the Book of Order are followed.

Special Ministry Expections

Transition Issues

  • Assisting the Parish thonour both the joys and the griefs of its past and prepare for its future.
  • Preparing a full parish profile which reflects the history, life and mission of the parish, assists the parish town a sense of mission and direction for its future, and provides a basis for choosing future ordained ministry. This needs tbe done in dialogue with the Presbytery or the Board of Nomination (where this exists).
  • Assisting the Parish tdevelop meaningful and constructive relationships with the regional and national bodies of the church; and in the case of Cooperative Ventures, the partner churches, the JRC and the Cooperative Ventures Forum.
  • Assisting the Parish tdevelop appropriate and well equipped leadership for the future.
  • Assisting the Parish tengage well with any appointment process when and if that becomes appropriate.

Routine Ministry

  • Pastoral care ?
  • Planning and leading worship, sacraments, preaching ?
  • Special occasion ministries ?
  • Spiritual nurture ?
  • Leadership development ?

Terms of Appointment

The appointment is for _____, commencing _______.

Payment will be [?? the basic stipend, basic expense allowance and car allowance as defined by the Presbyterian Assembly?.]

Removal expenses will be paid ?

Accommodation will be provided at a standard described by the Assembly.

Telephone will be provided (other than private tolls).

Leave entitlements will be according tthe Book of Order.

The Transitional Minister is by definition not available for call or appointment tthe parish.

Key Relationships

  • Presbytery

    The minister is a member of Presbytery and responsible tPresbytery for her ministry.
  • Interim Moderator

    The Transitional Minister will need twork closely with the Interim Moderator. The Interim Moderator is responsible on behalf of Presbytery for the overall ministerial oversight of the parish. However, in practice most ministerial roles will be filled by the Transitional Minister. The Interim Moderator will meet with the Parish Council at least three times during the year and will ensure an opportunity after three months and nine months for the Presbytery [and the JRC] treview with the Minister and Parish Council the ministry expectations and any other issues arising during this transition time.
  • Parish Council

    Responsibility for all aspects of parish life rests with the Parish Council with the ministers (in this case the Transitional Minister and Interim Moderator). The Transitional Minister will normally participate in but not chair the Parish Council (which has its own chair).
  • Other ?

Schedules

1. Key Tasks of Transitional Ministry

  • Assisting the parish/congregation ttell its story and learn from its history
  • Assisting parish/congregation in recognising and owning its identity for the future
  • Allowing and empowering new leadership
  • Assisting the parish/congregation in reviewing and renewing its denominational linkages
  • Assisting the parish/congregation tcommit tnew leadership and a new future

2. Code of Ethics