Churches’ Agency on Social Issues

Proposed Terms of Reference

As formulated mid-2000, agreed with amendments by a meeting of representatives of all four churches on 5 March 2003, and to be ratified by all four churches before confirmed.

<typohead type="2">Recommendations

</typohead>

1. This General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand expresses to the Prime Minister its support for the direction of the 2004 Budget towards assisting poorer families, and urges the Government to consider making this assistance available more quickly.

2. This General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand urges the Government to develop resources to support the education of those new parents who are most likely to lack necessary skills for keeping their children safe.

3. This General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand urges the Government:

(a) not to proceed with the Foreshore and Seabed legislation at the present time, but to engage in further discussion and consultation; and

(b) to ensure any legislation is the minimum required to deal with immediate and particular issues of inalienability and of public access.

4. This General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand urges MPs to pass the Civil Union Bill into law.

<typohead type="2" class="western">Report

</typohead>

<typohead type="3">1. Purpose</typohead>

1.1 On social, economic ecological and political matters within Aotearoa New Zealand, guided by the Christian scriptures, led by the Holy Spirit, and recognising the centrality of Te Tiriti O Waitangi in its work, the Churches' Agency on Social Issues seeks to:

1. Resource and encourage our member churches at national, regional, local and individual levels to discuss, act and speak on public issues of interest and concern.

2. Advocate on such issues from our Christian perspective as promptly, clearly, publicly and effectively as possible.

3. Be agents in all that we do for peace, justice and the integrity of creation, in accordance with the transforming love of God.

<typohead type="3">2. Strategy</typohead>

2.1 The Churches' Agency on Social Issues will, taking account of the polity and policies of the partner churches, seek to fulfil this Purpose by:

1. Respecting diverse opinions within the churches, without compromising the Agency’s responsibility to present a prophetic Christian perspective;

2. Consulting in accordance with the bicultural commitments and multicultural natures of the partner Churches, with Maori members of the partner Churches, and using the Treaty as a critical tool for social analysis;

3. Providing appropriate resources to inform, assist and encourage the partner churches to engage in social issues;

4. Issuing public statements – e.g. press releases, newsletters, discussion kits, booklets – and assisting church leaders where appropriate with material for public statements;

5. Making representations to other bodies responsible for shaping public policy (e.g. select committees, commissions, governmental discussion papers), and affirming the development of policies that reflect our Christian perspective;

6. Identifying and enlisting people with appropriate expertise to assist the Agency in its work.

These Terms of Reference have been approved by the Council of Assembly as a Working Document, but are still subject to revision. See below Report 1.

<typohead type="3" class="western">3. Synopsis</typohead>

1. The Churches' Agency on Social Issues (CASI) with four participating Churches has continued to develop its relationship with its Presbyterian and other congregations.

2. While continuing to make submissions, it is also encourages and supports people in local congregations to engage with social issues.

3. CASI continues to produce Broadsheet bi-monthly, and study guides on topical issues.

<typohead type="3" class="western">4. Report</typohead>

4.1 Terms of Reference

4.1.1 The proposed Terms of Reference for CASI were revised by Inter-Church consultation during 2003, taking into account Presbyterian concerns to include reference to Christian scriptures in the Purpose; and to reword Strategy (2). However, Methodist Conference in 2003 did not accept these Terms of Reference and the slow process of consultation continues.

4.2 Consolidating the New Focus

4.2.1 The Churches' Agency on Social Issues (CASI) was established in 2000 by the Associated Churches of Christ, the Methodist Church, the Presbyterian Church, and the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) to replace the former Joint Methodist Presbyterian Public Questions Committee. It has up to 16 members appointed by the four Churches.

4.2.2 In the last two years the focus on encouraging and resourcing people in local congregations to engage with social issues has become more familiar to church members. The Agency now corresponds monthly with about 60 groups, some of which focus on only one social issue (e.g. housing) and others which work on a broader range, including those at a local government level. These groups feed into CASI submissions, try out new resources, and may respond directly to national initiatives (such as Work-Life Balance and the Right to Education) which CASI has brought to their attention. The Agency continues to make submissions, to produce resources and to advise church leaders about current topical social issues.

4.2.3 The Agency is also represented at many community, inter-church and 'third sector' events. These include ANGOA (the Association of Non-Governmental Organisations of Aotearoa), the ANGOA Research Forum, ECO (the Ecological and Conservation Organisations of New Zealand), and relevant conferences including those on Welfare and Social Policy, bioethics, public health, environmental issues, ethical investment and third sector research. This enables CASI to have input to these groups and events, and to be aware of wider community initiatives and activities, saving duplication of effort.

4.3. Resourcing Faith Communities

4.3.1 Julia Stuart, the Agency's part-time Research and Liaison Officer, continues to network effectively with groups around the country, and attends church meetings and seminars wherever opportunity arises. Broadsheet is produced every two months and gets positive feedback. It is now available as a PDF file from the website or is posted direct to parishes and individuals. Bush Telegraph carries a description of the contents of each issue and details of how to obtain a copy.

4.3.2 Individual parishes and social issues groups regularly contact the CASI office seeking information about issues, and material to support local submissions. For example, a new ecumenical group in Palmerston North made submissions on their City plan; a North Shore Auckland group on poker machine site policy; a Central Otago parish sought information to back their objection to casino efforts to reduce social benefit contributions (they succeeded); and a group in Nelson on advertising of commercial sexual services in the city.

4.3.3 The Agency has developed a good working relationship with the Human Rights Commission, particularly on its community Treaty education initiative. CASI members have trained to become facilitators for this constructive way of dealing with a contentious topic, enabling a positive, locally-relevant outcome. We have been in consultation with Maori church partners about matters of mutual concern, and made a presentation at the 2003 meeting of Te Aka Puaho.

4.3.4 In 2003 the Agency redesigned its website (www.casi.org.nz) to focus on topical and relevant issues. The amount of use increased significantly, and in March/April this year the newly-placed Seabed and Foreshore page was the most accessed topic, with a 20% increase in traffic. News and new sections are placed regularly, sometimes daily. All the submissions and papers mentioned in this Report are available on the Agency's website; earlier material is also accessible.

4.3.5 The Agency maintains a small and carefully-selected library on social issues. This is increasingly used by people working on research, tertiary-level essays and social issues papers, as well as by church members. Members of partner churches are welcome to borrow books and other publications. A copy of the library catalogue can be emailed to inquirers.

4.3.6 CASI continues to produce resources to encourage in depth study of social issues. Since September 2002 the Agency has published resources on:

<typolist>

Climate change

EuthanasiaImmigration

Civil Union

We commissioned the Ecumenical Coalition for Justice to produce material for us about race and Treaty issues, including the Foreshore and Seabed issue.

</typolist>

4.3.7 The Agency continues to play a leading role in the Capital City Forum, alongside the Catholic and Anglican social justice agencies. Recently CASI undertook organisation of a Forum on ethical investment, reaching a wide range of church and community groups in Wellington. When resources permit, we are happy to discuss support of similar events in other centres.

4.4 Bioethical Issues

4.4.1. The Interchurch Bioethics Council (ICBC) relates to the Presbyterian Church through the Churches Agency on Social Issues. Members are drawn from the Anglican, Methodist and Presbyterian Churches. It has an educational role providing opportunities for consultation and dialogue with church members and the community generally, as well as making submissions and comments to the Government-appointed NZ Bioethics Council and other relevant bodies. The Chairperson continues to be Dr Audrey Jarvis of Palmerston North. Julia Stuart attends ICBC meetings and maintains an effective liaison between ICBC and CASI.

4.4.2. The ICBC produced a resource on Genetic Modification in 2003, prior to the lifting of the GM Moratorium; and in 2004 produced a resource on Euthanasia in response to the heightened interest in this topic. CASI assisted with promotion, publishing and distribution.

4.5 Statements and Representations

4.5.1 Making submissions and representations continues to be an important part of CASI's work. The opportunities presenting themselves and the topics of interest to the Churches are too numerous to all be addressed within the resources available, so CASI has adopted the following guidelines.

(a) Do we have anything important and distinctive to say from a Christian perspective?

(b) Do we need to speak out, or will other Christians do so in ways that we cannot?

(c) What have we said in the past on the particular subject, and do we need to continue to speak out?

(d) Do we have the time and resources necessary to prepare a considered and helpful contribution to debate on the issue?

4.5.2 The Christian basis of the Agency's work remains the Theological Rationale for the Churches' Concern with Social Issues, formulated in 2001. This is available on the website.

4.5.3 Over the last two years CASI has made eleven submissions on a variety of subjects, including Shop Trading Hours, pay equity, 'clean slate' bills, review of the Public Health Act and gambling. As at the time of writing, the Agency will also be making submissions on the Foreshore and Seabed legislation, and the Civil Union Bill.

4.5.4 Most of the issues addressed by CASI require a quick response which will not wait for meetings of Councils or Assemblies. Thus CASI makes submissions in its own name. Any other Church group is at liberty to make its own submission or statement if they so wish. However, CASI is composed of members officially appointed by the four participating Churches, so its statements carry considerable weight.

4.5.5 At the present time there are four matters on which the Assembly could usefully make statements.
1. Combating Poverty: In its 2004 Budget, the current Government moved to improve support to poorer families in New Zealand. However, the slow rate at which these changes will take effect inevitably means some families, and particularly children, will continue to suffer an unacceptable level of poverty. Accordingly it is recommended that:

This General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand expresses to the Prime Minister its support for the direction of the 2004 Budget towards assisting poorer families, and urges the Government to consider making this assistance available more quickly.

2. Rights of Children: Poor parenting skills underly the suffering of children in New Zealand. Both poverty and increased mobility mean that traditional family networks no longer adequately support new parents, and significant numbers are struggling to safely nurture young children. The 'SKIP' programme introduced in May

is a start but does not appear to deal with critical issues such as child discipline, and may not reach those most in need of guidance. This leads us to recommend that:

This General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand urges the Government to develop resources to support the education of those new parents who are most likely to lack necessary skills for keeping their children safe.

3. Foreshore and Seabed: The Foreshore and Seabed issue has been particularly painful for relationships between Maori and other New Zealanders. Progress has not been helped by either political fear-mongering or poorly researched journalism. CASI recognises the Government has made an honest and sincere attempt in the bill before the House to resolve a difficult and complex issue. However the legislation has proved divisive and a real threat to race relations in Aotearoa New Zealand. Accordingly it is recommended that:

This General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand urges the Government (a) not to proceed with the Foreshore and Seabed legislation at the present time, but to engage in further discussion and consultation; and (b) to ensure any legislation is the minimum required to deal with immediate and particular issues of inalienability and of public access.

4. Civil Union: In the context of our secular New Zealand society, it is a matter of justice that opportunity is provided for those in a same-sex relationship to access legal rights and to undertake legal responsibilities regarding their relationship. It is also clear that there are heterosexual couples who have strong reasons to reject marriage, whether by a civil or a religious ceremony, but who deeply desire legal recognition of their relationship. CASI is aware that within each of its member churches there is honest division on whether committed homosexual relationships are compatible with Christian morality. CASI has not at the time of writing drafted its submission on this bill and accordingly it is recommended by the Presbyterian members of CASI that:

This General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand urges MPs to pass the Civil Union Bill into law.
4.5.6 CASI continues to be involved with other Church bodies in resourcing Church Leaders (among them the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church) in their joint meetings with the Prime Minister and senior Cabinet Ministers. Constructive discussions have continued on issues of poverty, housing, and gambling, and the Church Leaders’ input has been welcomed.

4.6 Finance, Staffing, and Membership

4.6.1 The bulk of the Agency's financing comes from grants from the member Churches. In 2003/04, the Associated Churches of Christ contributed $500, the Religious Society of Friends $2,000, the Methodist Church $11,000, and the Presbyterian Church $35,000

4.6.2 About two thirds of the Agency's income is used to employ its part-time Research and Liaison Officer, and about half of the rest on producing publications.

4.6.3 The Agency records its gratitude to Glen Labrum, who recently resigned, particularly for his valuable contributions as submissions co-ordinator. It is of concern that the Presbyterian Church has not been able to maintain a full complement of members on the Agency, as this limits CASI's capacity to function.

Lesley Shaw
Presbyterian Co-Convener