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Regulations relating to Local Ministry
As Amended at Assembly 2002
See also amended Appendix E-12, Appendix E-13 (pdf file), Appendix E-17
4. Open for Call or Appointment
The list of ministers and licentiates open for call or appointment within this Church consists of all those on the ministerial roll, (except Amorangi, Local Ordained Ministers, those ordained for Local Ministry Teams and retired ministers); all those listed as licentiates on the rolls of Presbyteries or Te Aka Puaho; and those who have been added to the list either under Regulations 192 or 212 or the regulations in Section K of Chapter 5.
Section D: Students for Ministry and Licentiates
182. Students
Presbyteries have under their supervision all students for the ordained ministry ordinarily residing within their bounds. The process of assessment, training and licensing is set out in the Student Regulations, Appendix E-13. The Presbytery is responsible for licensing students who have satisfactorily completed the required pre-ordination training. In the event of disagreement between a Presbytery and the Principal of the School of Ministry concerning the termination of a student's course at any stage of training, the National Assessment Work Group shall act as arbiter.
183. Application to Presbytery
Application for acceptance as a student for the ordained ministry shall be made in accordance with the processes outlined in the Student Regulations, Appendix E-13 A medical report from an approved medical practitioner will be required from all candidates before attending the assessment programme.
184. The Formula and Assembly Decisions
It is the responsibility of the Presbytery to ensure that the candidates are acquainted with The Formula and accept the decisions of the General Assembly relating to ordination set out in Appendices D-2, D-3, D4, and D-5. (see also Appendix H-9)
185. Acceptance of Candidate
For candidates for National Ordained Ministry the National Assessment Work Group, if satisfied with the candidate's suitability in respect to character and gifts for the work of the ordained ministry, may accept the candidate as a student for ministry. For candidates for Local Ordained Ministry or ministry in a Local Ministry Team the National Assessment Work Group, if satisfied with the candidate's suitability in respect to character and gifts for the work of that ministry may recommend to the presbytery that the candidate is suitable for acceptance as a student for ministry.
186. Membership of a Congregation
Students for National Ordained Ministry become communicant members of a Congregation in the centre where they are undertaking foundational studies or in Dunedin if at the School of Ministry, and inform the Principal of the School of Ministry accordingly. The Principal has power to grant exemption in special cases. Students for Local Ordained Ministry and Local Ministry Teams shall continue as members of the congregation for which they have been identified as a student for ministry.
187. Course Finished
When students have completed the course of study prescribed by the Assembly they may apply to their Presbytery for licensing, subject to the provisions of the Student Regulations. (see also Appendix E-13 Section 9)
188. Transference
If the National Ordained Ministry student, at any stage of the trials, requires to remove beyond the bounds, the Presbytery, if satisfied with the reasons stated, gives a transference to the Presbytery within whose bounds the student goes to reside, certifying the subjects of trial, if any, that have been prescribed, the parts that have been performed, and whether with approbation or otherwise. The Presbytery receiving the transference, without any review of the parts of trial already satisfactorily gone through, proceeds with the remainder, as if the candidate had at first appeared before itself.
If a Local Ordained Ministry or Local Ministry Team student requires to move from the congregation for which the student has been accepted the student status will lapse. If subsequently that person is identified for Local Ministry due credit will be given for training done.
189. Licence
After the candidate has gone through the prescribed trials to the satisfaction of the Presbytery, a motion is made to proceed with his or her licensing. The motion being carried, the Moderator proposes to the candidate the prescribed questions. These being satisfactorily answered and the Formula signed, the Moderator engages in prayer, and, having concluded, addresses the candidate in words to this effect: 'In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, the King and Head of the Church, and by the authority of this Presbytery, I hereby declare you duly licensed to preach the Gospel of Christ, and to exercise your gifts for the holy ministry in this Church, and entitled to all the rights and privileges of a licentiate, and I commend you to the grace of God in the discharge of your duties in this high vocation.' Having done so, the Moderator exhorts the licentiate respecting the faithful discharge of the functions with which he or she has been entrusted. The members of Presbytery then give the licentiate the right hand of fellowship, and the Clerk is instructed to grant him or her an attested certificate of his or her licence. (see also Appendices H-6, H-9, H-12)
190. Seat on Presbytery
The licentiate shall be listed under Licentiates on the roll of Presbytery, be under Presbytery's pastoral care and be given a seat as an associate member of Presbytery for an initial period of up to two years, which the Presbytery may from time to time extend to a total of five years from the time of licensing. On leaving the bounds of the Presbytery he or she applies for a certificate of transfer and the same is granted when no case is pending against him or her. (see also 192, Appendix H-13)
191. Ordination of Assistant, Locum, or Supply
A Presbytery may ordain a licentiate of this Church (or any other licentiate who has been accepted under the regulations in Section K) when he or she is appointed assistant, or locum tenens, or stated supply in a parish for a period of six months or more. When called to a charge he or she is inducted into it without reordination. (see also 279 ff)
192. Non-Ordained Licentiate
A licentiate who has not been ordained within five years of licensing shall no longer be listed under Licentiates on the roll of Presbytery and is unable to receive a call or a ministerial appointment leading to ordination until an application supported by the Presbytery has been approved by the Personnel Work Group of the Equipping the Leadership Policy Group.
231. Students Eligible
A final year student in the National Ordained Ministry ordination studies programme at the School of Ministry is eligible to be nominated to and approved by the Congregation on the recommendation of the Mission Resource Team. The Presbytery may sustain the call, subject to the student being licensed. The call shall not be offered for acceptance until that condition has been met. The call shall lapse if licensing does not take place within a reasonable period. (see also 245)