Home » Parish tools » Book of Order » Old Appendices » Appendix E-13: STUDENT REGULATIONS

Appendix E-13: Student Regulations

(As amended 2002 and 2004)

The Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand requires for its ordained ministry of Word and Sacrament men and women with a profound sense of God’s call and a commitment to Christ and his Church. To test and deepen this commitment the Church insists on a thorough education for the many tasks of this ministry. The General Assembly, therefore, lays down the following regulations for this training.

Introduction

1) Scope

1.1) These regulations apply to all candidates and students for the ministry of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand and are read in conjunction with Book of Order Regulations 182 to 192 and 231, and the decisions of the General Assembly relating to ordination set out in Appendices D-2, D-3, D-4.

1.2) Candidates, students and Student Conveners need to be familiar with the guidelines set out in the National Assessment Work Group Handbook and the Handbook of the School of Ministry.

2) Definitions

2.1) A candidate is a person who has made formal application to the Presbytery Clerk for acceptance as a student for the ministry, or has been nominated by a Session or Parish Council to the Presbytery Clerk for Local Ordained Ministry or a Local Ministry Team after due discernment by the congregation and presbytery.

2.2) A student is a person accepted through the procedures prescribed by the church. A person remains a student until licensing or withdrawal or exclusion from the programme.

2.3) The Presbytery is the presbytery within which the candidate or student normally resides or one to which the student has transferred. In the case of candidates or students from Te Aka Puaho, Te Aka Puaho should be read for Presbytery.

2.4) The Students Committee is the committee or sub-committee appointed by the Presbytery to have oversight of candidates and students until they are licensed.

2.5) The Student Convener is the convener of the Students Committee.

2.6) The National Assessment Work Group of the Equipping the Leadership Policy Group is appointed by the General Assembly to be representative of the church and to carry out the assessment procedure.

2.7) The church recognises and provides for four strands of ordained ministry of Word and Sacrament:

National Ordained Ministry (NOM) – eligible for call or appointment throughout the church;
Local Ordained Ministry (LOM) – as set out in Appendix E-17 (2.8);
Local Ministry Team (LMT) – as set out in Appendix E-17 (2.8);
Amorangi ministry (self supporting ministry in Te Aka Puaho, as outlined in Appendix E-29 B.

2.8) Assessment carried out by the National Assessment Work Group on behalf of the General Assembly comprises three functions:

To select suitable candidates for acceptance as students (Candidate Assessment), in accordance with regulation (4) below;
To admit students to an Ordination Studies Programme (Student Assessment), in accordance with regulation (5) below;
To declare students for NOM available for call or appointment (Ordination Assessment), in accordance with regulation (8) below.

2.9) The School of Ministry, Knox College is the institution responsible for the ordination studies of all students for the ministry.

2.10) The Principal is appointed by the Council of Assembly to lead the School of Ministry in carrying out the Assembly's policy for equipping the leadership of the Church.

2.11) The Registrar is secretary to the Senatus and administers these regulations.

2.12) The Senatus consists of those members of the teaching staff who are members of the Service Team of Presbyterian Church, two student members, the Master of Knox College and the Registrar. The Senatus exercises general oversight of the educational curriculum, programme, standards, and progress of students. (see also Appendix E-12)

2.13) Foundational Studies are the prerequisites set down by the church in biblical studies, church history, pastoral theology and systematic theology to be completed before entering the NOM Ordination Studies Programme.

2.14) Foundational competencies are the competencies that are prerequisites set down by the church to be held before a person is declared ready for ordination.

2.15) Approved institutions are degree granting theological colleges and universities approved by the General Assembly for the purpose of foundational studies.

2.16) Academic Assessment Task Groups may be established by the Equipping the Leadership Policy Group to review approved institutions and their qualifications and to act under rules (6.3) and (8.7) below.

2.17) The NOM Ordination Studies Programme is normally a two year programme of ministerial formation conducted by the School of Ministry.

2.18) The Diploma in Ministry is awarded by the School of Ministry to students who have completed an OSP to a standard acceptable to Senatus.

2.19) A NOM Licentiate is a person who has been examined by the presbytery and formally issued with a licence to preach the gospel.

2.20) Licensing is the presbytery’s formal recognition that a student has completed satisfactorily all the educational and formational requirements for ordination.

2.21) Ordination is the setting apart by prayer and the laying on of hands of a licentiate who has been called or appointed to a particular sphere of ministry. A specific call is regarded by the church as the final confirmation of a person’s sense of call.

2.22) The Introduction Programme is a programme carried out by the Introduction Work Group of the Equipping the Leadership Policy Group. The programme introduces NOM licentiates to a parish with a view to a call or appointment.

To top

Procedures

3) Applications

3.1) The church always treats a sense of call with great respect. It is the duty of sessions, presbyteries, candidates and students to test that sense of call. The testing of that sense of call will be through study, practice, prayer, and the wisdom and judgement of the church as ascertained by its teachers and councils.

3.2) The church relates the number of students accepted to its need for and ability to support ordained ministry.

3.3) Enquiry about acceptance as a student for the NOM begins through the moderator of the session of the parish. With the support of the session the candidate makes formal application to the Presbytery Clerk. The session also provides a certificate of church membership and a testimonial of Christian character.

3.4) The Presbytery requires the candidate to complete a standard application form which together with educational transcripts and other accompanying documents is considered by the Presbytery Students Committee. (The application forms are available from the Registrar.)

3.5) The Presbytery in acknowledging the application furnishes the candidate with a current copy of these Regulations and Handbooks published by the School of Ministry and the National Assessment Work Group, and relevant sections of the Book of Order.

3.6) The Students Committee in due course meets with the candidate to consider the application. The candidate’s minister is associated with the committee while the candidate is under consideration. This process involves more than one meeting and, where appropriate, consultation with a spouse.

3.7) In reaching a decision the Students Committee bears in mind the candidate’s:

Christian character and sense of call;
Leadership qualities exhibited in service to the Church and in other spheres;
Length of communicant membership of the Presbyterian Church;
Education and ability to benefit from further study;
Attitude to and developing knowledge of the biblical witness;
Emotional maturity and ability to relate to other people;
Suitability for ministry both in specific cultural contexts and in the church generally;
Record of employment;
Ability in public speaking;
Spouse’s attitude;
Financial position and commitments;
Health as indicated by a medical report form completed by a Registered Medical Practitioner. (The fee for the medical examination is paid by the Presbytery);
Any record of a criminal conviction.

3.8) The Students Committee may:

Recommend the candidate to the Presbytery for assessment by the National Assessment Work Group;
Recommend to the candidate further study or service in the church; or
Decline to recommend the candidate.

The Students Committee must formally recommend a candidate as soon as it is satisfied that the candidate can meet National Assessment criteria, in accordance with regulation (4.3) below.

3.9) When the Presbytery supports the candidature the Clerk forwards to the Registrar the application and supporting documents together with the Presbytery report form. On receipt of the completed forms the Registrar arranges for the candidate to attend the next national assessment programme by passing the material on to the National Assessment Work Group.

Local Ordained Ministry and Ordination for Local Ministry Teams

3.10) An application for Presbytery approval to have either an LOM or an LMT shall be brought by a Board of Nomination, Session or Parish Council. The application shall specify which form of ministry is being sought, and shall include evidence there has been a thorough examination of the ministry needs of the congregation, an understanding of the local context for local mission and ministry, a process of congregational consultation and discernment, and the reasons approval should be given.

3.11) Where a Session or Parish Council has approval from the Presbytery to establish either a LOM position or a LMT, it shall follow the approved discernment process and submit the name or names of those it nominates for candidacy to the Presbytery Clerk.

3.12) In the case of LOM a Board of Nomination shall be established by the Presbytery to satisfy Presbytery that the congregational process has been thorough.

3.13) In the case of LMT a Board of Ministry Discernment shall be established by the Presbytery, with composition as for a Board of Nomination, to satisfy Presbytery that the congregational process has been thorough.

3.14) The Presbytery shall require candidates to complete an application form prepared by the National Assessment Work Group which together with supporting documents shall be considered by an appropriate Presbytery Committee along with a report from the Board of Nomination or the Board of Ministry Discernment.

In deciding on whether or not to recommend to Presbytery that the candidate be considered by the National Assessment Work Group the committee shall bear in mind the considerations in (3.7) above and be satisfied that the candidate can meet the National Assessment criteria.

When the Presbytery supports the candidature the Clerk shall forward to the Registrar the application and supporting documents together with the Presbytery report so that the Registrar can arrange for the National Assessment Work Group to work with the Presbytery to ensure that the candidate meets the criteria in regulation (4.3).

4) Candidate Assessment

4.1) The assessment programme for NOM is conducted by the National Assessment Work Group and usually takes place in August each year. The Presbytery shall appoint a representative (usually the Student Convener) to accompany the candidate/s. The assessment process for LOM and LMT is conducted by the Presbytery in consultation with the National Assessment Work Group according to national guidelines prepared by the Equipping the Leadership Policy Group.

4.2) Before the assessment programme the Senatus assesses the academic record of candidates. The Senatus reports in writing to the National Assessment Work Group on further study necessary for the candidates to meet the Church’s requirements for licensing.

4.3) The National Assessment Work Group is required to base its decisions substantially on the following considerations:

4.3.1) Life and Experience in the Church

The candidate’s:
Christian life and witness – including beliefs and devotional life;
Sense of call to the ordained ministry;
Attitude to and developing knowledge of the biblical witness;
Length of active membership and experience in the range of church activities. Involvement in other churches will be considered but a candidate must have had at least two years active membership in congregation of the Presbyterian Church plus satisfactory knowledge of the structure, processes and ethos of the Presbyterian Church (to be determined by Presbytery).In the case of LOM or LMT a minimum of one year’s membership in the congregation in question would normally be expected.
4.3.2) Education

The candidate’s:
Education and ability to benefit from further study, recognising special gifts and skills already present. The role of leader and theological resource person calls for continuing education and study.
4.3.3) Abilities, both Real and Potential

The candidate’s:
Demonstrated desire, skill and gift for public communication in a variety of formal and informal settings;
Ability to relate to and communicate personally with a variety of people in different situations;
Ability to give responsible leadership while encouraging and enabling others to exercise their ministry;
Willingness and ability to expand their understanding of what it means to be church in Aotearoa New Zealand. i.e. multi-cultural, theologically diverse, ecumenical, marginalized;
Willingness and ability to critique and work within the church’s doctrine with particular reference to any designated by assembly, e.g. ordination of women and infant baptism.
In the case of LOM or LMT, consideration should be given to the ability of the person to fit with the local situation and work collaboratively.
4.3.4) Support for the Candidate
The attitude and support of the candidate’s spouse and/or family.
The candidate’s support from his or her parish and Presbytery.

4.4) The National Assessment Work Group, before the end of the assessment, gives the candidate the option of being informed of their acceptance or otherwise as a student for ordained ministry by the National Assessment Work Group at the conclusion of the assessment weekend, or being informed by the Presbytery Student Convener/Representative at a time agreed between the Presbytery Student Convener/Representative and the candidate.

4.5) Presbytery Student Conveners confer with candidates immediately upon return from assessment.

4.6) In receiving the report of acceptance the Presbytery recognises the candidate’s status as a student for ministry.

5) Student Assessment

National Ordained Ministry

5.1) Students who have completed or who are about to complete foundational studies will be assessed for entry to the NOM Ordination Studies Programme.

5.2) This assessment will be conducted by the Principal in consultation with the student, the Senatus, the Students Committee of Presbytery and a representative of the National Assessment Work Group and considers:

The student’s tertiary study in non-theological disciplines;
The student’s progress in foundational studies;
The student’s active involvement in the church during the foundational studies;
The adequacy of the foundational course in the light of the core requirements;
The student’s general development in sense of call and the factors listed in regulation (4) above.

5.3) This assessment will, for some students, take place at the end of the national assessment programme. For others it will follow at a later date.

Local Ordained Ministry and Local Ministry Teams

5.4) Training for LOM and LMT is tailored to the individual and the situation subject to a nationally agreed set of competencies. The focus is on verifiable or demonstrated competency rather than on any particular qualification or training.

5.5) The Principal of the School of Ministry will be responsible for ensuring that a training agreement is worked out with the student that will be reviewed annually by Senatus and will include training indicated on the competency schedule and components of continuing ministry formation.

5.6) In the case of LOM the training agreement will include a mentor (supervisor) appointed by the Presbytery and a training advisor from the National Service Team (usually a member of the School of Ministry faculty or a Mission Resource Team Co-director).

5.7) In the case of LMT the training agreement will include a resource minister or a suitable person appointed by the Presbytery.

6) Ordination Studies Course Prerequisites

6.1) Students seeking entry to the NOM Ordination Studies Programme are required to have completed:

1) The equivalent of at least two years full time tertiary study in non-theological courses, which may be modified at the discretion of Senatus with the concurrence of Presbytery, having regard to the candidate’s life-experience and background in church leadership;
2) Foundational studies - a recognised degree in theology from an approved institution. Some degrees may require supplementary papers to be completed during the Ordination Studies Programme.

6.2) For students seeking entry to the LOM or LMT Ordination Studies Programmes or who are over 35 years at the time of candidacy these prerequisites may be modified at the discretion of the Senatus and with the concurrence of the Presbytery. The student must have equivalent prior learning and experience and a demonstrated ability to study.

6.3) Students may appeal a ruling of the Senatus concerning prerequisites to a Task Group appointed by the Equipping the Leadership Policy Group.

6.4) The foundational studies core course requirements are set by the General Assembly and published in the student handbook.

6.5) Prior to their admission into the Ordination Studies Programme all candidates for ministry are urged to undertake basic study of a language in common use in the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand other than their own first language.

7) National Ordained Ministry Ordination Studies Programme

7.1) Students accepted into the programme are accepted for a two year course with a focus on ministry formation and the integration of theology and practice. This programme is based in Dunedin.

7.2) Students may be required to enrol in external courses necessary to supplement or complete foundational studies.

7.3) Students may not enrol in any other external courses without permission from Senatus. Permission will not normally be given.

7.4) Students may, with the permission of the Senatus and the Students Committee of the presbytery defer entry to the programme.

7.5) During training students follow a recognised programme of Bible reading. This requirement is part of the assessment which leads to the Diploma in Ministry. Knowledge of the Bible is also furthered systematically during training through the courses of study undertaken by students.

Local Ordained Ministry and Local Ministry Teams

7.6) Students accepted into the programme are accepted for a programme of study as agreed with Senatus with a focus on ministry formation and the integration of theology and practice to the required standard.

7.7) The programme will allow for study by distance and in block courses.

8) National Ordained Ministry Ordination Assessment

8.1) Before the beginning of the second semester in the final year of the Ordination Studies Programme students will be assessed by a panel representative of the Senatus, the National Assessment Work Group and the Introduction Work Group. The purpose of this assessment is to decide whether the student is ready for the Introduction Programme.

8.2) The assessment will be made on the following basis:

The student’s continuing development in the sense of call and the factors mentioned in regulation (4);
The student’s demonstrated ability to integrate their foundational studies with the theology and practice of ministry;
Satisfactory progress with a substantial integration exercise to be presented in a form that can be assessed (see also Student Handbook);
The student’s continued development in the conduct of worship and communication of the Gospel;
The student’s demonstrated ability to relate to and communicate personally with a variety of people in different situations.

8.3) In the case of an unsatisfactory assessment a further assessment will be conducted at the end of the second semester. If after a further interview the assessment panel is not satisfied there will be a full consultation between the student, the Senatus and a representative of the student’s Presbytery.

8.4) Students may be excluded from the Ordination Studies Programme by the Senatus at any time during the course of study on the considered decision of the Senatus, or

on the recommendation of a Task Group appointed by the Equipping the Leadership Policy Group. (see also regulation (8.7) below)

8.5) The grounds for exclusion are the same as those which lead to the discipline of ministers, or persistent failure to meet the ordination assessment requirements in reasonable time.

8.6) Before a student is excluded from the programme by the Senatus he or she must be given an oral warning of the defects identified and the remedies required, and a further written warning in similar terms if insufficient improvement is noted. The Senatus advises the Students Committee in writing at every stage of the steps being taken and the reason for the steps.

8.7) Students may appeal a ruling under (8.4) to a Task Group appointed by the Equipping the Leadership Policy Group.

8.8) Excluded students may seek readmission to the Ordination Studies Programme through the Registrar, who refers the application to the Senatus for consideration under (8.2) above.

8.9) Students are discontinued by their Presbytery when:

1) They have failed to gain admission to the Ordination Studies Programme (refer Section 5); or
2) They have failed to gain readmission to the programme within eighteen months of being excluded.

8.10) Students may seek leave of up to two years from the Ordination Studies Programme Studies Programme. Such leave is granted at the discretion of the Senatus in consultation with the Students Committee of the presbytery. For any time greater than two years the student will be required to seek readmission to the programme as in (8.8) above.

8.11) Where a student has particular issues concerning readiness for ordination to be dealt with during this leave, these must be agreed upon by Senatus, student and Students Committee at the time leave is granted. Evidence that these issues have been satisfactorily resolved must be received by Senatus and Students Committee before the student can return to the Ordination Studies Programme.

Local Ordained Ministry and Local Ministry Teams

8.12) Before a student for Local Ordained Ministry or ministry in a Local Ministry Team is declared ready for licensing, he/she will be assessed by the Presbytery with comment from the person responsible for the student’s training, Senatus, the National Assessment Work Group and the Mission Resource Team. The purpose of this assessment is to decide whether the student is ready to be recommended for licensing.

8.13) The assessment will be made on the following basis:

The student’s continuing development in the sense of call and the factors mentioned in regulation (4);
The student’s demonstrated ability to integrate their life experience and studies with the theology and practice of ministry;
The student’s continued development in the conduct of worship and communication of the Gospel;
The student’s demonstrated ability to relate to and communicate personally with a variety of people in different situations.

8.14) In the case of an unsatisfactory assessment a further assessment will be conducted after a further six months.

8.15) At any time a Presbytery may decide after consultation with the student, Senatus and the parish to terminate the student status of a student for local ministry.

8.16) The grounds for termination of student status are the same as those which lead to the discipline of ministers, persistent failure to fulfil reasonable ordination training requirements, or significant loss of confidence in the compatibility of the student with the context for which the student was to be ordained.

9) Licensing

9.1) When the required pre-ordination discernment and training has been completed satisfactorily the student is granted a Licence to Preach by the student’s Presbytery. This is the prerequisite for being ordained and inducted into a first parish or other Church appointment. The attention of students is drawn to the Preamble to Licensing. (see also Appendix H-6)

9.2) Before a Presbytery can proceed to license a student:

1) For National Ordained Ministry students the Senatus confirms that the student has been issued with a Diploma in Ministry; for Local Ministry Senatus confirms that the student is ready for licensing;
2) The Senatus forwards the student’s Integration Exercise which has been sustained by the Senatus. (Details are set out in the School of Ministry Handbook);
3) The Presbytery must have had a satisfactory report from an appointed examiner of the student’s conduct of a service of public worship.

9.3) Final year NOM OSP students must keep their Student Conveners informed of their progress towards completing licensing requirements, in particular in the Integration exercise, and give notice of their desires regarding date of licensing to the Clerk of Presbytery.

9.4) When seeking a call or appointment, a final year NOM student works through the Introduction Work Group. The Work Group’s responsibility ceases when the student is licensed. The licentiate is then under the care of the presbytery within the bounds of which the licentiate resides. It then becomes that presbytery’s responsibility actively to promote a settlement on behalf of the graduating licentiate.

10) Relations with Presbytery

10.1) Students must maintain a relationship with their presbyteries, through the Students Committees and Student Conveners.

10.2) Students in the National Ordained Ministry programme usually remain under the jurisdiction of the Presbytery which accepted them as students for ministry. If the Presbyteries concerned are agreeable, students may transfer from one to another presbytery provided good reason is given, preferably before the end of the first year of Ordination Studies Programme.

To top