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Four Strands of Ordained Ministry

• national ordained ministry (eligible for call or appointment throughout the church),
• local ordained ministry(ordained for local ministry functioning in a conventional relationship between inducted minister and elders),
• local ministry team (ordained for local ministry functioning in mutual ministry with other elders as one ministry 'portfolio' among others; no one person is inducted, a ministry support team is commissioned. While one or two people are ordained to ministries of Word and sacrament, they are commissioned as part of a team and their ordination is linked to the ministry of the team),
• Amorangi ministry (self supporting ministry in Te Aka Puaho, as outlined in Book of Order, Appendix E-29 B).

 

 

National Ordained Ministry (NOM)

National ordained ministry (NOM) comprises all those already on the ministerial roll of the church who are eligible for appointment throughout the church. It will also include those in the future who are selected, trained and ordained according to the criteria set by the national church for those eligible for appointment throughout the church.

The 'teaching elder' in partnership with other elders is an important part of the reformed understanding of ministry. This emphasises that leadership in a congregation is to be shared. The assumption that all aspects of leadership are expected to reside in the single (national ordained) minister within the congregation is naÏve, inconsistent with the reformed understanding of ministry and ultimately dangerous. As new models of ministry evolve, national ordained ministers will be required to equip and support leaders within the church.

The work of this task group does not extend to defining training for the national ordained ministers. However, we would like to emphasise that any guidelines and expectations which are developed for local and team ordained leaders should apply to nationally ordained clergy also.

The task group affirms the role of national ordained ministers, and invites the church as a whole to consider what gifts are needed in the people called to this particular face of ministry and mission in our time and place.

Local Ordained Ministry (LOM)

Principles

LOM provides for circumstances in which a congregation of necessity or choice seeks to appoint a person who is suitable for ministry in that community without needing to meet the criteria for national ordained ministry.

LOM provides a way for a suitable person to be ordained by a presbytery for ministry in a particular context.

The model of ministry envisaged is very similar to conventional ministry as we have known it, in that a minister is inducted as a minister for a congregation and shares the oversight of the congregation with a Session or Parish Council and any other minister. The position may be stipended, part-stipended or non-stipendiary, and the 'terms of call' are approved by the presbytery.

The main differences from NOM are the eligibility of the ordained person for other positions, and the processes of assessment and training.

A person ordained for LOM is not normally eligible for appointment to any ministerial position in the church other than the one for which they were ordained. LOM appointments will be for defined periods. Special provisions cater for exceptions.

The distinctiveness of this type of ministry will require particular assessment and training processes which recognise the particular community context.

Assessment would allow for consideration of the local context of ministry and the candidate's suitability and credibility in that context.

Training would allow for consideration of prior experience, skills, aptitudes and training, and be provided through local, distance and block course methods. While some training would be expected before ordination and appointment, much training would be regarded as an on-going commitment rather than a pre-requisite. Provision is made for a probation period during which time a person may hold a ministry position and be expected to undertake some training and assessment before ordination and induction.

Discernment Process

'Discernment' rather than 'assessment' describes best the process appropriate to selection for this form of ministry. The reason for this is that what is being considered is not simply the suitability of a candidate but the appropriateness of the whole package comprising the congregation, community and candidate along with the process that has been followed by the congregation to decide to seek such an appointment. Discernment also speaks of a communal spiritual process. Only if a presbytery is satisfied as to the appropriateness of the model of ministry, the local discernment in relation to the model and the person, and the aptness of the candidate for the particular context will it agree to proceed with LOM.

At the congregational level the process will include a thorough examination of the ministry needs of the congregation and a strong case put to Presbytery as to why LOM is appropriate rather than NOM or LTM. This case will be based on evidence of a process of congregational consultation and discernment and an understanding of the local context for mission and ministry.

A LOM position needs to be recognised by the presbytery. The initiative may be brought to Presbytery as a result of the work of a Board of Nomination or by a Session or Parish Council. In either case a Board of Nomination will be established by the Presbytery to satisfy Presbytery that the congregational process above has been thorough.

Appointment Process and Role of Presbytery

Presbytery has two distinct but connected functions in dealing with a LOM appointment. The first relates to the discernment process outlined above, and is overseen by a Board of Nomination. The second is as the ordaining and inducting authority of the church.

In this second role, Presbytery will need to be assured that the candidate proposed can fulfil the basic requirements of the church for its ministers and will be appropriate in the particular situation. National guidelines for these requirements will be prepared. Presbytery will also need to be satisfied with a training agreement worked out with the candidate and a training adviser from the national Service Team. Guidelines specifying required competencies will also be prepared nationally.

Presbytery will confirm any period of probation and will exercise a review process at its conclusion. Presbytery will arrange for ordination and induction following procedures as for NOM.

Training

Training for LOM is tailored to the individual and the situation subject to a nationally agreed set of competencies. The focus is on verifiable or demonstrated competency rather than on any particular qualification or training. In other words training will be designed to complement existing competence and be appropriate to the circumstances of the ministry situation. In addition to systematically working on specified competencies each person in LOM will be expected to undertake regular and ongoing training relevant to their ministry. In every case a training agreement will be worked out with the LOM that will be reviewed annually and will include training indicated on the competency schedule and components of continuing ministry formation. Each training agreement will include a Mentor (supervisor) appointed by the presbytery and a training advisor from the national Service Team (usually a member of the School of Ministry faculty or a Mission Resource Team Co-director).

The LOM will take responsibility for their own learning and will be expected to use their Mentor (supervisor) on a regular basis to reflect on their experience and learning.

The training advisor will help negotiate the training agreement, review the agreement annually and will report to the Presbytery and the Equipping the Leadership, Personnel Workgroup twice yearly as to the progress of the minister.

Portability

A person ordained for LOM is ordained on the understanding that it is for a particular appointment and that they are not eligible for call or appointment elsewhere in the church. If such a person moves to another situation or finishes the term of their appointment they will remain a minister of the church without a charge. This is in line with the Statement on Ordination in the Book of Order (Appendix D-3 (2) "Induction or appointment is a distinct and separate act which accompanies ordination and at the same time limits the sphere within which the powers conferred by ordination may be exercised"). The status of the minister would be 'minister within the bounds.'

In the event that a LOM is proposed as the appropriate minister in a subsequent position then the same process of local and presbytery discernment would need to happen without prejudice. If the appointment was confirmed, the candidate in this case, would, of course, not need to be ordained.

If the LOM sense a call to NOM then he/she would go through the normal assessment procedure for NOM, although their experience in a LOM position may be taken into account in determining requirements in the Ordination Studies programme. We do not envisage this as a short-cut into NOM to avoid the normal procedures as set down by the National Church.

Participation in Presbytery

A LOM would be the minister of the congregation and as such take a seat in Presbytery in the normal way. Once the minister no longer holds appointment their status in the Presbytery will be simply as a minister within the bounds. (see Book of Order, Appendix D-3 (3), and Appendix E-8) and where more than one LOM is associated with a parish, the parish would have full seats on Presbytery for ordained ministry and for eldership as defined in regulation 124.

Beneficiary Fund

This needs to be worked out with the Beneficiary Fund Committee. While we would not necessarily see this as a right of the LOM, we do see that there would be some situations where the appointment is sufficiently long to warrant this person being eligible to become a member of the Beneficiary Fund. We would ask the Beneficiary Fund committee to look at the possibilities and requirements for people in this situation.

Local Ministry Team

Principles

LMT provides for circumstances in which a congregation chooses to develop a model of ministry based on their own gifts and shared responsibility for their mission and seek to do this without anyone as 'minister of the parish'. Ministry roles are shared among members, especially among the elders, with individuals accepting the congregation's call to specific responsibilities. Within this model LMT provides a way for suitable persons to be ordained by a presbytery for a ministry of word and sacrament as part of the network of other ministries.

The model of ministry envisaged is very different from conventional ministry as we have known it in that no minister is inducted as the minister of the congregation. While one or more people may be ordained within the leadership of the congregation, this ministry is only to be seen as a part of the whole. It is the model of ministry itself that is authorised by Presbytery, not an individual and it is the cluster of people accepting ministries of leadership in the congregation who are commissioned by Presbytery. No one person inducted.

It will often seem wise for a congregation to call more than one person (but not more than three) to LMT ordination. This will help emphasise that a LMT minister is not the minister of the parish, and shares the load with others. The burden of ministry is not left on any one unpaid person.

While this model does not preclude some payment of individuals for aspects of ministry, there should be no assumption that those ordained for LMT will receive any payment.

As with LOM, a person ordained for LMT is not normally eligible for appointment to any ministerial position in the church other than the one for which they were ordained. LMT ministers will be recognised as ministers in their congregations for defined periods, after which the presbytery will review the model and the re-commissioning of the 'team' with the congregation.

The assessment and training processes required for this situation would fit within national frameworks which recognise the distinctive nature of this kind of ministry. Assessment would allow for consideration of the local context of ministry and the candidate's suitability and credibility in that context. Training would allow for consideration of prior experience, skills, aptitudes and training, and be provided through local, distance and block course methods. While some training would be expected before ordination and appointment, much training would be regarded as an on-going commitment rather than a pre-requisite. Wherever possible, training will be managed in such a way that it does not focus on the individuals who are ordained, but equips all those in the congregation participating in shared ministry. Provision is made for a probation period during which time a person may hold a ministry position and be expected to undertake some training and assessment before ordination and commissioning.

Discernment Process

As with LOM, 'discernment' rather than 'assessment' describes best the process appropriate to selection for this form of ministry. Again, only if a presbytery is satisfied as to the appropriateness of the model of ministry, the local discernment in relation to the model and the persons, and the aptness of the candidates for the particular context, will it agree to proceed with LMT.

At the congregational level the process will include a thorough examination of the ministry needs of the congregation and a strong case put to Presbytery as to why LMT is appropriate and sustainable. This case will be based on evidence of a process of congregational consultation and discernment and an understanding of the local context for mission and ministry.

LMT in any congregation needs to be recognised by the presbytery. The initiative may be brought to Presbytery as a result of the work of a Board of Nomination or by a Session or Parish Council. In either case a Board of Ministry Discernment will be established by the Presbytery, with composition as for a Board of Nomination, to satisfy Presbytery that the congregational process above has been thorough.

Call/Appointment Process and Role of Presbytery

Presbytery has two distinct but connected functions in dealing with a LMT appointment. The first relates to the discernment process outlined above, and is overseen by a Board of Ministry Discernment. The second is as the ordaining and authorising authority of the church.

In this second role, Presbytery will need to be assured that the candidates proposed can fulfil the basic requirements of the church for its ministers and will be appropriate in the particular situation. National guidelines for these requirements will be prepared. Presbytery will also need to be satisfied with a training agreement worked out with the candidates, the congregation and a training advisor from the national Service Team. Guidelines specifying required competencies and levels will be prepared nationally. Presbytery will confirm any period of probation and will review the candidates' progress. Presbytery will arrange for ordination and a commissioning of those sharing in the ministry in a way that is both true to the traditions of the church in relation to ordination and recognises and affirms the shared nature of the ministry of the congregation.

Community of Ministry

It is of the nature of LMT that ministry is thought of and exercised in community with others. This will include elders with special responsibilities such as pastoral care, bereavement and funeral ministries, administration, worship leading, outreach ministries and social service. Those with ministry responsibility, including those who are ordained, are to see their role as focussing and enabling the ministry of the whole congregation rather than simply becoming agents of the congregation.

Part of this community of ministry is an important and essential role filled by presbytery appointment. Each congregation or parish adopting LMT will have an experienced minister appointed by the presbytery to be a resource minister to the congregation and those sharing the ministry. The resource minister will act as a ministerial advisor to the ordained members and help the development of collaborative ministry among the 'team'. The resource minister has a role in encouraging and supporting individual and shared learning.

Training

Training for LMT is tailored to the individuals and the congregation and works towards the candidates meeting a nationally agreed set of competencies. The focus should be on verifiable or demonstrated competency rather than on any particular qualification or training. A further focus is on establishing competency and cohesion in the congregation as a whole in its shared mission and ministry. In addition to systematically working on specified competencies each person in LMT will be expected to undertake regular and ongoing training relevant to their ministry. In every case a training agreement will be worked out with the LMT ministers that will be reviewed annually and will include training indicated on the competency schedule and components of continuing ministry formation. Each training agreement will include the resource minister or a suitable person appointed by the presbytery.

As people involved in LMT are likely to be voluntary unpaid ministers (possibly with other jobs), training requirements will be flexible, except for specific expectations relating to the specific roles that they fulfil (i.e. anyone officiating in sacraments needs to complete appropriate National training). The LMT will take responsibility for their own learning and will be expected to use the resource minister on a regular basis to reflect on their experience and learning. It is important that there are colleagues and advisors available to support and review LMT participants, as these have the most potential to feel they are not "real" ministers.

The training advisor will help negotiate the training agreement, review the agreement annually and will report to the Presbytery and the Equipping the Leadership, Personnel Workgroup twice yearly as to the progress of the minister.

Portability

A person ordained for LMT is ordained on the understanding that it is for a particular appointment and that they are not eligible for call or appointment elsewhere in the church. Thus, normally, if such a person moves to another situation or finishes the term of their appointment they will remain a minister of the church without a charge. This is in line with the Statement on Ordination in the Book of Order (Appendix D-3 (2) "Induction or appointment is a distinct and separate act which accompanies ordination and at the same time limits the sphere within which the powers conferred by ordination may be exercised"). The status of the minister would be 'minister within the bounds.'

In the event that a member of a LMT is proposed as the appropriate minister in a subsequent position then the same process of local and presbytery discernment would need to happen without prejudice. If the appointment was confirmed, the candidate in this case would, of course, not need to be ordained.

Participation in Presbytery

Where there is more than one person ordained in a LMT congregation it will be a matter for the Parish Council to decide as to which minister and which elder take a seat in Presbytery. LMT ministers not on Presbytery may be associated with Presbytery or will be ministers within the bounds. Once the minister no longer holds appointment their status in the Presbytery will be simply as a minister within the bounds. (see Book of Order, Appendix D-3 (3), and Appendix E-8)

Beneficiary Fund

A LMT minister will not be part of the Beneficiary Fund.