Overture 13: Supreme and Subordinate Standards, and Appropriate Process

At St Peter's Presbyterian Church Ellerslie on 13 July 2004, the Presbytery of Auckland met and was constituted.

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

It was moved seconded and agreed that the Presbytery adopt and transmit the following overture to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand appointed to meet in Christchurch on 19 September 2004.

Whereas it is basic to the constitution, history, doctrine, identity and mission of the Presbyterian Church that we are subject to the Word of God contained in the Scriptures, as our Supreme Standard, our rule of faith and life

And Whereas being under the authority of Scripture is an indispensable qualification for being a Protestant church, in the Reformation tradition

And Whereas we are constitutionally and legally bound to hold as our Subordinate Standard the Westminster Confession of Faith and the Larger and Shorter Catechisms, until such time as Assembly elects under full and open process to amend or replace them

And Whereas the present Book of Order begins:

Standards

The Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand is founded on the following basis:

(a) That the Word of God, contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, is the supreme rule of faith and duty, and is the supreme standard of this Church (see also 475).

(b) That the Westminster Confession of Faith and the Larger and Shorter Catechisms are the subordinate standards of this Church.

(c) That the Declaratory Act of the General Assembly of the said Church sets forth, in regard to certain doctrines, what is required from those entering upon office (see also Appendix C-l).

(d) That the Directory for Worship (1995) and The Westminster Form of Church Government set forth generally the order of worship, discipline and government in this Church.

(e) That the Church has the right, in dependence on the promised guidance of the Holy Spirit, to formulate, interpret or modify its subordinate standards; always in agreement with the Word of God and the fundamental doctrines of the Reformed Faith contained in the said Confession and other subordinate standards, of which agreement the Church itself shall be the sole judge (see also Appendices B-3, C-2)

(f) After consideration by a full General Assembly.

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And Whereas the Supreme and Subordinate Standards are intended as much more than as simply "value" or "heritage", of symbolic value only

And Whereas the Supreme and Subordinate Standards are intended as criteria by which all that we do and think as a church may be assessed, and by which minimum standards of belief and conduct may be required

And Whereas the proposed new Book of Order as posted on the Presbyterian Church website removes the concept of standard, both biblical and doctrinal, and would reduce adherence to the Word of God to merely one of our "values", and the Subordinate Standards to merely part of our "heritage"

And Whereas if this were accepted the Presbyterian Church would arguably have removed from its constitution any biblical or doctrinal standard or authority over its own doctrine or life, and would not be required to be guided by anything other than its own opinions

And Whereas most members of the church are not aware of the changes being proposed, or their far-reaching implications

And Whereas it has apparently been proposed that the new Book of Order (and thus constitution) be adopted "ad interim" by this Assembly, unexamined and undebated

And Whereas the Barrier Acts exists "for preventing any sudden alteration or innovation, or other prejudice to the Church, in either doctrine or worship, or discipline"

And Whereas the Barrier Act requires widespread discussion and debate of all major changes in the life of the church, by Presbyteries and Union District Councils, and by two consecutive Assemblies.

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

That, in view of the inadequate exposure of the draft of the proposed new Book of Order, no attempt be made to adopt it at this Assembly.

That Assembly urge the church at large to note the major implications of the constitutional changes being proposed, including the falling from the concept of Supreme and Subordinate Standards, and their proposed relegation to "value" and "heritage".

That, after Assembly, the Book of Order Rewrite Group prepare a summary and explanation of the most significant changes being proposed, and a draft of new Book of Order be widely distributed in written form with full opportunity for study, comments and suggestions by Presbyteries, Union District Councils, Sessions and Parish Councils.

That no new Book of Order be adopted until approved under the full processes of the Barrier Act

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The Presbytery appointed the Rev Stuart Lange and one other person to support the Overture to the General Assembly.

Extracted from the records of Presbytery by

Trevor Mosley
Presbytery Clerk.