Appendix 1: Report of The Uniting Congregations of Aotearoa New Zealand

<typohead type="3">1. Section A</typohead>

1.1 The 2003 Biennial Forum was held in Karori Northland Uniting Parish, Wellington, July 11th to 13th. This was attended by 135 representatives from 60 Uniting and Cooperative Venture Congregations. The theme for the gathering was ‘Community Centred – Christ Focused’. This theme reflected the recognition by the 2001 Biennial Forum that the relationship with Partner Churches had matured and the possibilities had been created for a wider ecumenical mission. The Forum for Co-operative Ventures was seen as being one expression of that ecumenism. The work of the Standing Committee leading up to the Forum concentrated on exploring the opportunities of the maturing partnership to resource local congregations to meet the challenges of being the Church in the local community.

1.2 The Forum business sessions endorsed the ecommendation to change the name of the organisation from ‘The Forum of Co-operating Ventures’ to ‘The Uniting Congregations of Aotearoa New Zealand’. Although some reservations were expressed the consensus was that the name be changed to reflect the fact that member congregations are not a United Church but are committed to the uniting process. The 2003 Forum agreed to a Chairperson being separately elected at the biennial meetings rather than having the Chairperson selected by the elected Standing Committee. The role of the elected Chairperson is seen as encompassing a leadership function in fostering the identity of collective congregations involved in the uniting congregations movement as well as being available as a pastor to the community of congregations in uniting ventures.

1.3 The Forum was informed that a considerable amount of work had been done over that last two years on developing the process for appointing ministers. The central issue has been the task to identify simple processes for ministry appointments acceptable to all Partner Churches. The fresh shared approach being considered includes:

Identifying the best leadership to assist a Parish bring about its Mission strategy.

Partner churches recognising that congregations need to be actively involved.

JRC should monitor not direct.

Shifting to a process of all Partners acting collaboratively.

Recognising that any new model must reflect the harmony between parishes, partners and the JRC.

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1.4 An essential ingredient in the process will be to recognise the mission journey of a parish and to identify their mission strategy targets before taking steps to fill a vacancy. The aim of the process is to involve local Partners and assist the parish to review its mission and define the appropriate ministry leadership required. The appointing denomination’s responsibilities should include the oversight of the process to fill the vacancy while keeping in touch with the Partners as well as being conscious of the needs and desires of the parish. As part of the proposed amendment to the procedures the Wellington Joint Regional Committee is using a revised Consultation Pack.

1.5 The new Standing Committee’s task, in conjunction with Partner representatives, will be to revise the Guidelines to Procedures in Co-operating Ventures to incorporate the name change and to include the more effective processes for appointing ministers in uniting parishes following submission to and approval of the appropriate Partner Courts.

1.6 The Standing Committee reported to the Biennial Forum meeting that Mr John Jones had been appointed as the Executive Officer to replace Dr David Ross who was retiring. John commenced duties on 7 July 2003 and was introduced to the Forum. David Ross was warmly thanked for the sterling work undertaken for the CV movement over that last five years.

1.7 The Forum elected Ray Coats of Alexandra as its Chairperson. The following were elected as the Standing Committee for the next two years: Stanley Barnes, Margaret Honorē, Roy Hotter, Dave Mullan, Ian Omundsen, Ann Owen, Robert Robati-Mani, Clive Smith and Janet Taege.

1.8 Rev Dr Jim Stuart gave the keynote address at the opening of the meeting. He told of his New Zealand experience of finding the ecumenical movement waning with institutional concerns overtaking the church union impetus. Dr Stuart spoke of the present time as a kairos movement, when amidst challenges God calls us to recover our true identity as people of God – time to act on the Uniting Congregations’ mission statement, ‘to vigorously go out on the commission of Christ to break new ground, to establish communities of hope, being set free to take risks for God….’ What, asked Dr Stuart, ‘would it mean if the Forum decided to be guided by the Holy Spirit and not be driven by the institutional need of the non negotiating partners?’ A delegate asked the Forum if the lost vision of the Churches could be re-energised? The 2003 Biennial Forum was clearly focussed on dealing with issues of identity and procedures leading to strengthening the local mission in Uniting Congregations. The agenda for the Biennial meeting did not allow time to address wider ecumenical issues.

<typohead type="3">2. Section B</typohead>

2.1 Progressing with procedure revisions for ministry appointments in conjunction with Partner Churches will likely continue to be the concern of the Standing Committee. The ongoing dialogue involving Partner participation in assisting congregations to develop specific mission strategies is seen as crucial in developing increased flexibility in stationing. The 2002 Conference endorsed the Executive Officer’s involvement in co-operative venture training programmes for lay and ordained ministry education in the Methodist and Presbyterian Churches. Plans are in hand for a one-day training session for ministry trainees at Trinity College on uniting congregation procedures.

2.2 Contributions from uniting congregations to the CV Joint Mission Fund have declined over recent years and the Methodist Connexion Budget has consequently received decreasingly lower contributions. Parishes are being challenged to aim to contribute 10% of their total income to enable continued support for each of their Methodist and Presbyterian partner denominations. The task ahead for 2004/5 is for the Standing Committee of the United Congregations of Aotearoa New Zealand and Partner Churches to address the falling contributions to the Joint Mission scheme. This will present an opportunity to make mission resourcing and ministry education issues relevant to uniting congregations. Uniting congregation organisations and Partners at regional and national level will be challenged to review the whole issue of what ‘being church’ means to local congregations.

2.3 The Forum will no doubt be challenged by the phoenix that is arising from the ashes of the Plan for Union. How that will eventuate in the various opportunities that will arise to discuss and realise the dream of being one is unknown, but what we do know is that as living and breathing realities of at least a part of that vision, we as Uniting Congregations are uniquely placed to be in the forefront of an exciting future together.

Chris Nichol
Ecumenical Relations Secretary

Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand

Appendix 1: Report of The Uniting Congregations of Aotearoa New Zealand