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Appendix D-5: Ministers’ Participation in Ordinations and of Elders in the Nomination and Election of Elders

(Adopted by the General Assembly, 1984)

The Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand recognises the equal right of both men and women for ordination to the offices of the Eldership and Ministry of Word and Sacraments. The Assembly recognises liberty of opinion on such points of doctrine as do not enter into the substance of the Reformed Faith. This is provided for through the provisions of the Declaratory Act, which Act applies to subscription to the Westminster Confession of Faith.

The Assembly recognises that every person has the right of personal opinion on a variety of issues including the ordination of women to the offices of Eldership and Ministry of Word and Sacrament.

Notwithstanding this right, the Presbyterian Church by virtue of its act of ordination requires Ministers of Word and Sacraments to ordain Elders by the authority of the Session/Parish Council, and Ministers of Word and Sacraments by authority of Presbytery, without discrimination of any kind. The Assembly accordingly declares that Ministers of Word and Sacraments are bound to carry out the requirements implicit in the Formula including ordinations and the subsequent recognition of those ministries.

Likewise in giving authority to the Session or Parish Council to make its own nominations to the congregation for election as elders (see also Regulation 64) and to exercise judgement on any objections to those elected (see also Regulation 70-71) the Assembly declares that by virtue of their ordination to the eldership, elders are required to make such nominations without unjust discrimination and to disallow any objections based on the gender or ethnic origins of those elected.