Overture 16: Book of Order Rewrite and Focal Identity Statement

At St Stephen's Church Leith Valley, on 6 July 2004, the Presbytery of Dunedin met and was constituted.

<typohead type="3">Among other things: </typohead>

The Presbytery agreed to adopt and transmit the following overture to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand appointed to meet in Christchurch 19 to 24 September 2004.

Whereas the 2002 General Assembly appointed a rewrite committee to make the Book of Order simpler, more understandable, and more accessible

And Whereas members of Presbytery who have had access to the online version of the new Book of Order have concerns about the need for further consultation and due process

And Whereas there is a felt need to distribute draft material in print form as well as online

And Whereas there is appreciation for the complexity and importance of the task and the quality of work to date

And Whereas there is a need to ensure informed reception and positive ownership by our church of the new Book of Order, including the allaying of concerns about continuity with our Christian commitment and theological heritage

And Whereas the time frame and other resources needed for this task may have been underestimated

<typohead type="3">It is hereby overtured that: </typohead>

The General Assembly refer the 2004 draft of the new Book of Order to policy groups, presbyteries, sessions and Parish Councils for study and comment in printed form with opportunity for feedback by July 2005.

The Council of Assembly adequately resource the writing of a further draft be prepared by the end of 2005 for further consideration by policy groups, presbyteries, sessions, and parish councils prior to the 2006 General Assembly.

It be the intention of the church that the 2006 document be sent to presbyteries and sessions under the Barrier Act for final adoption in 2008.

The General Assembly refer the 2004 draft of the Focal Identity Statement to Policy Groups, Presbyteries/Union District Councils, Sessions and Parish Councils for study and comment in printed form with opportunity for feedback by July 2005 including feedback on the relationship of the Church to it´s supreme and subordinate standards, including the Westminster Confession.

The Council of Assembly adequately resource the writing of a further draft of the Focal Identity Statement to be prepared by the end of 2005 for further consideration by Policy Groups, Presbyteries, Union District Councils, Sessions and Parish Councils prior to the 2006 General Assembly.

It be the intention of the church that the 2006 Identity Statement document be sent to Presbyteries and Union District Councils under the Barrier Act for final adoption in 2008.

</typolist>

Or that the General Assembly determine otherwise as in its wisdom it shall consider best.

The Presbytery appointed Rev Selwyn Yeoman and Rev Dr John Roxborogh or Rev Richard Dawson to support the overture before the Assembly.

Extracted from the records of the Presbytery by

Joan Sinclair
Presbytery Clerk