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Council of Assembly News Brief

- from the Council meeting, 14 - 15 November 2003

At the beginning of the meeting Council members shared their memories and paid tribute to Mona Riini, Moderator of Te Aka Puaho, who died in September.

Judicial Commission

After the Council meeting the following memo was sent to Presbyteries and UDCs, and congregational leaders.
_____________________________________________________________________

TO: Presbytery Clerks and UDC Secretaries, Ministers, Parish and Session Clerks

FROM: Shirley Fergusson, Convenor, Council of Assembly

DATE: 20 November 2003

SUBJECT: Judicial Commission Decision - Council of Assembly Meeting

The Council of Assembly met on 14-15 November 2003 in Wellington.

1. In response to the recent Judicial Commission decision, the Council received 38 letters. Eleven letters were from Sessions, three from Presbyteries and the balance from concerned Church members. The decision allowed for Deborah Gordon, a lesbian woman, to be assessed as an applicant for the School of Ministry.

• The Council acknowledges that there has been a range of responses to this decision. The letters communicated hurt, pain, confusion and anger; that for some members their understanding of the position of the Church on the matter has been overturned; that the process itself was not well understood and some members feel their voice was not heard in the Church's processes.
• The Council affirms that the process used to hear the Appeal was in accordance with the regulations and practice of the Church in such matters, and was carried out with integrity.
• The Council assures members that there are procedures for lodging objections before people are licensed, ordained or inducted for ministry.

2. Twenty-three of the letters requested that there be an urgent additional assembly to resolve issues raised by the Judicial Commission.

• The Council had extensive discussions and considered the factors for and against holding such an Assembly. On balance, the Council felt that holding a special Assembly would not necessarily resolve the issues. It has asked the Moderator to initiate a process of committed conversations within the Church before the September 2004 Assembly.
• The Council hopes that these conversations will provide a clear way forward that respects, as far as possible, the integrity of the diverse views in the Church on homosexual persons in leadership.

This statement is offered to you to share, as you deem helpful in your situation.

Shirley Fergusson, Convener, Council of Assembly

_____________________________________________________________________

• Formal requests for an emergency Assembly will be referred to the Moderator.
• Council agreed the Assembly Executive Secretary should obtain a legal opinion about the applicability of the Human Rights legislation, so far as it concerns sexual orientation, to the Church. The opinion will be bought to the Council for their consideration.

Tutahi Tatou

Council members were encouraged by responses to the opportunities for dialogue in these regional meetings held in September. We noted the strong support for more time for dialogue and the widely expressed appreciation of the sessions on ministry with children and families. Concerns about timing and representation were discussed and suggestions for improvement noted. We were reminded of the importance of recognising diversity in terms of location and size, being Presbyterian or one of the Uniting Congregations, of members being Maori, or Pakeha or Pacific or Asian.

Comments about two way communication - listening and sharing - fed in to the development of a draft communication strategy on which the Council is working. Notable in discussions throughout this Council meeting was the quoting of what had been heard at Tutahi Tatou which is clearly affecting Council and its Policy Groups. The feedback report, which was sent to participants, can be found on the website.

Healthy Congregations

Reporting by the Policy Groups showed a developing synergy around promoting and sustaining healthy congregations. Each Group is addressing aspects of the relationships - with God, with the wider environment, with the wider church and within its own life. Groups are increasingly working together on areas of shared interest.

Resourcing for Mission Policy Group

Encouraged by Tutahi Tatou discussions, pilot congregational appraisals are planned to start as soon as practical. The aim is to have between 10-20 parishes as a sample pilot. Experience and lessons learned will be reported when these appraisals are completed. In this context the group noted the importance of the role of presbyteries in developing a regional strategic plan - part of developing healthy presbyteries. Ways of releasing resources for mission were discussed and the Group is seeking further information on this topic. The Presbyterian Foundation received 53 applications to a total value of $584,610 and grants totalling $188,000 were disbursed. An impressive list of grants was made. Suggestions for the future were to actively encourage applications from Pacific Island, Maori and Asian congregations.

Equipping the Leadership Policy Group

In the area of leadership competencies and appraisals the Group is working with Resourcing for Mission to co-ordinate their work. An appraisal form for ministers and parish leaders has been developed and will be trialled through the Mission Resource Team and the School of Ministry. Other aspects of leadership development and training are being addressed - and will contribute to leadership for healthy congregations. For training locally ordained ministers (LOM) a Certificate of Ministry is being developed under the oversight of the principal of the School of Ministry, Neville Emslie. The issue of seniority allowances will be considered as part of the wider issue of remuneration for ministers and other workers. Council is appointing a Task Group to work on this area with time and expertise to address these complex issues.

Connecting with Society Policy Group

As the most recently established Policy Group its members have spent time working on their relationships and establishing priorities. Tutahi Tatou was valuable as it emphasised the diversity of issues with which congregations are engaging. A top priority for the coming year is equipping congregations with processes to engage theologically with key issues. Support for the Moderator when such issues arise is another priority which will be addressed in collaboration with the Churches' Agency on Social Issues and our Communications Manager.

In this context Council was entertained - and informed - by hearing of a West Coast initiative challenging the closure of schools and their effects on communities. Members noted that this issue is affecting other regions.

Overseas Mission and Partnerships Policy Group

Priorities and key relationships being in place, Overseas Mission is now working on current developments with some historical partners, such as the church in Vanuatu, and developing new relationships such as that offered by the Pacific Conference of Churches. This group is working with Resourcing for Mission in developing approaches to congregations. Te Komiti Moana Nui is the means by which the Presbyterian Church is represented on the Pacific Conference of Churches. Te Komiti having been established in 1997 and having regard to the need to strengthen relationships with churches in the Pacific, Council is working with Te Aka Puaho and the Pacific Island Synod to appoint a task group to review the situation

A number of Asian congregations in New Zealand are considering membership of the Presbyterian Church.

Council was encouraged to learn of effective chaplaincy to Asian students and outreach to Asian communities.

Administration and Finance Policy Group

Single assessment was widely discussed at Tutahi Tatou since when there have been fewer letters on the topic. The Policy Group noted the importance of good information being widely available. The computer system is coming on stream in keeping with the planned transition timetable.

Te Aka Puaho

The Very Reverend Tame Takao has been appointed Acting Moderator.

Pacific Islanders' Synod

In the process of building relationships with presbyteries the Synod has been encouraged by initiatives in Auckland and looks forward to further developments throughout the country.

Directions 2003-06

Directions 2003-06 that will guide the work of Council, Policy Groups and the Service Team, has been adopted. Following further feedback on the action plans from Policy Groups, the document will be published. The Council agreed that suggested adjustments to the Church's Mission Statement be recommended for adoption by General Assembly.

Reports from Task Groups

The Book of Order rewrite is progressing well. An enormous amount of work has been done over several years and the new Book is almost ready to be posted on the website. Council endorsed the process of consultation and decision-making for the next Assembly to consider the matter. When the Book is available, everyone is encouraged to consider the website material and respond.

The Focal Identity Statement is being developed and when a draft is ready for comment, will be available on the website.

Progress reports on the role of Moderator and resourcing the church documents doctrinally were discussed with a view to final reports being received at the March Council meeting. The report on the review of the process for nominating people to policy and task groups, is being distributed for comment by sessions/parish councils and presbyteries/union district councils.

Conclusion

Council of Assembly is a microcosm of the wider church with a diverse group of people holding widely differing views on many aspects of the life and work of the church. Consequently this was not an easy meeting. It was marked by the respectful yet frank sharing of views in the context of deep commitment to our calling 'by God to work with others to make Jesus Christ known'.