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Appendix E-5A: Regulations in Administering Baptism
<typohead type=4>Preface (see also Appendix D-9)</typohead>
1) The General Assembly affirms that Ministers of Word and Sacrament of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand, being bound by the Formula, are obliged to provide for the baptism of people both as children and on personal confession of faith and the Assembly reaffirms the responsibility of Sessions/Parish Councils and Presbyteries/Union District Councils to ensure that baptism is properly provided for in every congregation.
2) The Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand affirms the one baptism of Christ in the Church, and includes within its membership and ordained ministry, persons whose convictions are that infant baptism is in harmony with the mind of Christ, and those whose convictions are that baptism can only be appropriately administered on personal confession of faith. The Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand honours both convictions, and both forms of baptism are understood to be used by God in the upbuilding of faith. Both forms are to be available in the life of every congregation of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand. No one practice or mode of baptism will be enforced on either ministers or people contrary to their conscience.
<typohead type=4>Procedures</typohead>
3) A minister or licentiate of the PCANZ who cannot administer one form of baptism practised by the PCANZ must advise his/her Presbytery in writing and to each Presbytery into which he/she may be called or appointed prior to accepting the call or appointment. Unless advice is given a minister is bound to administer both forms of baptism.
<typohead type=4>When Application is Made Prior to Call or Appointment</typohead>
4) A minister or licentiate who cannot administer one form of baptism in a new ministry must advise the Presbytery who will induct him/her to the new ministry or appointment before the call is presented to that Presbytery or the appointment is confirmed by the appointing body.
5) In his/her advice the minister shall state his/her position with regard to the theology and practice of baptism and state his/her intention to:
a) Respect both forms of Christian initiation, whether infant baptism and subsequent confirmation, or baptism on a personal confession of faith, accept as valid the baptism of every person by whatever form, and to exercise the associated pastoral obligation without distinction;
b) Avoid speaking, teaching, preaching or working against either form of baptism;
c) Agree to provide for all baptisms approved by the Session/Parish Council, without any discouragement or impediment.
6) The Presbytery/UDC shall, before sustaining the Call or agreeing to the appointment shall advise the Session/Parish Council to ascertain the willingness or otherwise of the congregation to call a minister who cannot administer one form of baptism. The Presbytery/UDC may sustain the Call or confirm the appointment only on receipt of advice that the congregation is willing to proceed to call the Minister under these terms.
<typohead type=4>When Application is Made While in a Pastoral Charge</typohead>
7) A minister who changes conviction in regard to one form of baptism while serving in a pastoral charge and thereby cannot administer one form of baptism, must advise the Presbytery in writing prior to any refusal to administer baptism. The advice shall state all that is required under (5) above.
8) On receipt of advice, the Presbytery/Union District Council shall:
a) Advise the Session/Parish Council within seven days of the procedure provided in these regulations;
b) Dissolve the pastoral tie between the minister and congregation from a date to be negotiated not more than one month after receipt of the advice, and grant the minister the status of stated supply in the congregation for a period of six months; or, in the event of the minister not being willing to accept appointment as stated supply, resolve that the pastoral tie be dissolved six months from the date of receipt of advice, following which the provisions of Appendix E-17, Section XVIII paragraphs (2) and (3) shall apply;
c) Appoint an Interim Moderator who shall, within four months, ascertain through the Session/Parish Council and a meeting of the congregation the willingness of the congregation to call a minister who cannot administer one form of baptism.
9) If there be a willingness to call a minister under these terms the congregation may present and support a Call to the Minister to the Presbytery/UDC.
10) If the congregation is unwilling to call a minister under these terms or if the Presbytery/UDC is unwilling to sustain the Call because of significant opposition and/or unresolved divisions in the congregation, the Presbytery shall immediately advise the minister accordingly. The term of stated supply shall, in consultation with the Session/Parish Council, be terminated not less than one month from the date that such advice has been given, but not less than six months from the receipt of advice in para (3) above. The congregation shall meet the stipend and standard allowance, and if necessary, allow the minister to occupy the manse, for any remaining period of the stated supply appointment. Following that the provisions of Appendix E-17 Section XVIII paragraph (2) and (3) shall apply. The Presbytery shall advise the Assembly Executive Secretary and the advice of the minister shall be recorded on the Minister’s Information Form.
<typohead type=4>When a Minister Who Cannot Administer One Form of Baptism is Called/Appointed</typohead>
11) The Presbytery/Union District Council shall:
a) Appoint one of its ministers honorary colleague to have responsibility to perform or make arrangements for all baptisms and services of dedication or thanksgiving which the minister cannot administer, including the associated pastoral and teaching responsibilities;
b) Ensure adequate discussion and resolution of all related issues in the congregation;
c) Advise the Assembly Executive Secretary who shall record the minister’s position on the Minister’s Information Form.
<typohead type=4>General</typohead>
12) In considering a call or appointment of a minister who cannot administer one form of baptism, the Presbytery/Union District Council shall take into account the needs, unity and mission of the Church including geographical factors.
13) In a Union or Co-operating Parish the Presbytery/UDC shall, immediately on receipt of the minister’s advice, advise the Joint Regional Committee, who shall seek the concurrence of the regional courts of the participating churches in the Parish. The Call may be sustained or the appointment confirmed only on receipt of the concurrence of those courts.