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Appendix F-4: Guideline Agreements

311 Co-operating Parishes

Contents

311      Cooperating Parishes

312      Union Parishes

313      Joint use of Buildings

314      Covenants

(Enabling Negotiating Churches to work together as one parish. See Definition, 125, Cooperating Parish and also 131, 132)

Outline Agreement

1)    Background

(A brief statement of the history of events and convictions leading to the formation of the cooperating parish.)

2)    Purpose

(A statement of the worship, fellowship and mission purposes for which the agreement is being entered into.)

3)    The Parties

(The correct title of each participating parish, e.g.

  • The Bilford Parish, Methodist Church of New Zealand
  • The Bilford-Strong Parochial District, Diocese of Waikland
  • Bilford Presbyterian Parish, Presbytery of Watford)

4)    The Name

(Of the co-operating parish.)

5)    The Area

(Location, boundaries, etc.)

6)    The Congregations

(Name of each within the co-operating parish.)

7)    Definitions

1)     General definitions are to be found in 125 of the Guide to Procedures.

2)     The Joint Regional Committee is the .......…………............. appointed by the ..........….............. , the ......……............ and the ......….…............ .

3)     The Common Provisions are the regulations governing all co-operative ventures as approved and or amended from time to time by the supreme courts of the churches party to this agreement. These Common Provisions are published by the Forum of Co-operative Ventures and printed within the Guide to Procedures in Co-operative Ventures and the respective law books of the Methodist and Presbyterian churches of New Zealand. Amendments are printed in the annual reports of the Forum.

8)    Oversight

Relationships with regional and national church courts and the oversight of the parish are in accordance with the Common Provisions, 223.

9) Worship

The public worship of God shall be provided for in accordance with the Common Provisions, 231.

10)    Membership

Membership of the cooperating parish is as defined in the Common Provisions, 221. (Any complementary local provisions follow.)

11)    Ministry

Minister/s appointed will exercise the fullest possible ministry of word, sacraments and pastoral care to all members of the congregations and will hold their appointment in accordance with the Common Provisions, 211-214, 216-217.

12)    Parish Council

A parish council shall be elected and have responsibility for all aspects of parish life. The office of parish councillor, the principles of election and the functions of the council are, except as hereunder specified, as set out in the Common Provisions, 215, 222, 223. (Any complementary local provisions follow.)

13)    Finance

The financial responsibilities of the parish to the churches and of the churches to the parish are as set out in the Common Provisions, 241. (Any complementary local provisions follow.)

14)    Property

The general provisions for the acquiring, holding, redeveloping, insuring, mortgaging, disposing or otherwise dealing with the properties made part of the co-operating parish are as set out in the Common Provisions, 251, 252, 253 and in the Property Schedule attached to this agreement. (Any complementary local provisions follow.)

15)    Dissolutions

Dissolution of this agreement may be effected in accordance with the Common Provisions, 261.

16) Amendments

This agreement may be mended in the manner set out in the Common Provisions, 271.

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312 Union Parishes

(Enabling Churches of Christ, Congregational, Methodist and Presbyterian Churches to work together as one parish. See Definitions, 125, Union Parish and also 131, 132.)

Outline Agreement

1)    Background

(A brief statement of the history of events and convictions leading to the formation of the union parish.)

2)    Purpose

(A statement of the worship, fellowship and mission purposes for which the agreement is being entered into.)

3)    The Parties

(The correct title of each participating parish, e.g.

  • The Billford Parish, Methodist Church of New Zealand,
  • Bilford Presbyterian Parish, Presbytery of Watford.)

4)    The Name

(Of the union parish.)

5)    The Area

(Location, boundaries etc.)

6)    The Congregations

(Name of each within the union parish.)

7)    Definitions

1)     General definitions are to be found in 125 of the Guide to Procedures.

2)     The Joint Regional Committee is the .......……................ appointed by the ..........………............ , the ...........……......... and the ...............………..… .

3)     The Common Provisions are the regulations governing all co-operative ventures as approved and or amended from time to time by the supreme courts of the churches party to this agreement. These Common Provisions are published by the Forum of Co-operative Ventures and printed within the Guide to Procedures in Co-operative Ventures and the respective law books of the Methodist and Presbyterian churches of New Zealand. Amendments are printed in the annual reports of the Forum.

8)    Oversight

Relationships with regional and national church courts and their oversight of the parish are in accordance with the Common Provisions, 223.

9)    Worship

The public worship of God shall be provided for in accordance with the Common Provisions, 231.

10)    Membership

Membership of the union parish is as defined in the Common Provisions, 221. (Any complementary local provisions follow.)

11)    Ministry

Minister/s appointed will exercise the fullest possible ministry of word, sacraments and pastoral care to all members of the congregations and will hold their appointment in accordance with the Common Provisions, 211-214, 216-217.

12)    Parish Council

A parish council shall be elected and have responsibility for all aspects of parish life. The office of parish councillor, the principles of election and the functions of the council are, except as hereunder specified, as set out in the Common Provisions, 215, 222, 223. (Any complementary local provisions follow.)

13)    Finance

The financial responsibilities of the parish to the churches and of the churches to the parish are as set out in the Common Provisions, 241. (Any complementary local provisions follow.)

14)    Property

The general provisions for the acquiring, holding, redeveloping, insuring, mortgaging, disposing or otherwise dealing with the properties made part of the union parish are as set out in the Common Provisions, 251, 252, 253 and in the Property Schedule attached to this agreement. (Any complementary local provisions follow.)

15)    Dissolution

Dissolution of this agreement may be effected in accordance with the Common Provisions, 262.

16)    Amendments

This agreement may be amended in the manner set out in the Common Provisions, 271.

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313 Joint Use of Buildings

Co-operative ventures based on the joint use of buildings are initiated by members of the negotiating churches in a particular locality who desire ‘now to do together many of the things which in the past we have done separately’ (Act of Commitment). Action may be prompted by some practical necessity, such as the replacement of the buildings of one denomination in an established area, or the wise stewardship of resources in planning together development in new areas.

This type of agreement requires the participating churches to commit themselves to one another in the siting of buildings and their joint and separate use. Provision is made for some combined and some separate services of worship; separate ministries and pastoral oversight for each section of the congregation: a joint Christian education programme as far as possible; and a combined administrative committee working in association with the local courts of the participating churches.

 

Outline Agreement

1)    Background

(A brief statement of the history of events and convictions leading to the formation of the joint use scheme.)

2)    Purpose

(A statement of the stewardship, development, fellowship and mission purposes for which the agreement is being entered into.)

3)    The Parties

(The correct title of each participating parish, e.g.

  • The Bilford Parish, Methodist Church of New Zealand
  • The Bilford-Strong Parochial District, Diocese of Waikland
  • Bilford Presbyterian Parish, Presbytery of Watford.)

4)    The Name

(Of the joint use scheme.)

5)    The Area

(Location, boundaries etc.)

6)    The Congregations

(Name of each covered by the agreement.)

7)    Definitions

1)     General definitions are to be found in 125 of the Guide to Procedures in Co-operative Ventures.

2)     The Joint Regional Committee is the ...........…….............. appointed by the ..........……..…...... , the ......………............. and the ................……….... .

3)     The Common Provisions are the regulations governing all co-operative ventures as approved and or amended from time to time by the supreme courts of the churches party to this agreement. These Common Provisions are published by the Negotiating Churches Unity Council and printed within the Guide to Procedures in Co-operative Ventures and the respective law books of the Methodist and Presbyterian churches of New Zealand. Amendments are printed in the annual reports of the Council.

8)    Oversight

Relationships with regional and national church courts and their oversight of the joint use scheme are in accordance with the Common Provisions, 223.

9)    Joint Local Committee - Membership

There shall be a committee called ........................................., hereinafter called the committee, which shall consist of:

1)     .................... representatives, or their duly appointed proxies, two (or three) of whom shall be appointed by the vestry, two (or three) by the session, etc. (The total number will depend on the number of congregations involved in the agreement.)

2)     One of the clergy from each participating congregation, ex-officio.

3)     The quorum shall be half the total committee, provided that each church involved is represented.

4)     The committee shall elect its own chairperson, secretary and treasurer.

10)    Joing Local Committee - Functions

The committee shall be responsible for:

1)     Life and work

a)     Promoting the mission of the church and deepening the spirit of unity;

b)     Fixing the times of public worship;

c)     The oversight of any joint Christian education, including the appointment of superintendents, teachers and bible class or youth group leaders;

d)     The oversight of any joint organisations and church activities;

e)     Planning any joint future developments.

2)     Property and Finance

a)     General supervision of buildings including planning and carrying out erections, alterations and maintenance;

b)     Arranging annually for the regular use of the facilities at times suitable to the parties;

c)     Obtaining approval from the local church courts for all major financial matters;

d)     Controlling the expenditure of such funds as have been granted to it by the local church courts or from donations for the use of the buildings, and applying for additional grants when considered necessary;

e)     Arranging for an annual report and financial statement of accounts to be prepared and presented after audit to the local church courts, together with a budget for the forthcoming year.

The committee shall be responsible to the local church courts and shall refer to them matters of policy and principle.

11)    Life and Work

Arrangements by minister of the respective parties for the conduct of baptisms, marriages, funerals, and other occasional services in a form recognised by his or her church, shall be by prior, mutual agreement.

12)    The Participating Churches Agree

Wherever possible to seek a combined programme of Christian education at all levels and to co-operate in all other activities, e.g. youth clubs. Provision shall be made at appropriate stages for classes at which denominational instruction shall be given.

13)    The Participating Churches Agree

That nothing shall be taught that is offensive to the recognised doctrinal standards of the participating churches.

14)    General

Where there is a change of ministry, the prospective appointee shall be shown a full copy of any current agreement as soon as possible. It is important for the minister concerned to agree to work within the framework of this agreement.

15)    The Participating Churches Agree

That other churches involved in the Forum shall be kept informed of this agreement and at a later date be invited to join.

16)    Should Any Matter Arise

Should any matter arise which the committee considers is not covered, or adequately covered, by this agreement, the same shall be referred to the Joint Regional Committee for decision.

17)    Property

The general provisions for the acquiring, holding, redeveloping, insuring, mortgaging, disposing or otherwise dealing with the properties made part of the joint use scheme are as set out in the Common Provisions, 251, 252, 253 and in the Property Schedule attached to this agreement. (Any complementary local provisions follow.)

18)    Amendments

This agreement may be amended in the manner set out in the Common Provisions, Section 271.

19)    Dissolution

Dissolution of this agreement may be effected in accordance with the Common Provisions, 263.

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314 Covenants for other Co-operative Ventures

Sample A

1)    The Parties to the Covenant

  • Church of Christ
  • Anglican parish or mission district
  • Parish, the Methodist Church of New Zealand
  • Presbyterian church.

2)    The Purpose

Believing that the congregation/s at ..…………...... currently ministered to by the parties is serving a growing community and has already established a witness to the whole community reaching beyond these churches, and believing that the past years of co-operative effort by the local community under the guidance of the ...………….…..... Church Committee has reached the point where further steps need to be taken for the establishment, within the foreseeable future of a co-operative venture.

3)    The Covenant

The parties now covenant together to:

1)     Explore the formation of a ..…………....... based on ..…………...... and in the meantime continue giving the fullest possible physical and spiritual encouragement to the congregation/s.

2)     Delegate certain powers of oversight and authority to the ........……… Church Committee as set out in schedules of the Covenant.

3)     Jointly appoint for a period of ....……..... years and otherwise in accordance with the Common Provisions 211-214, 216-217, ministry which shall exercise the fullest possible ministry on behalf of the above churches.

4)     With the .......…………. Church Committee, provide financial support for this ministry in accordance with standard proportions.

5)     Review this Covenant in ....…….... years time under the oversight of the ..…………....... Joint Regional Committee, which shall be the co-ordinating committee of general oversight in accordance with its terms of reference.

HIS COVENANT IS ENTERED INTO BY THE PARTIES THIS ...……... DAY OF ..…………... 20 .... .

For – The parties (each signs)

The schedules would include reference to relevant sections of the Common Provisions.

Sample B

1)    The Parties to the Covenant

  • Glenfield Anglican parish or mission district
  • Glenfield Methodist Church

2)    Preamble

We the Vestry of the Parochial District of Glenfield, having approval to ‘negotiate a Cooperating Agreement with the Methodist Church in order to become a Co-operating Parish’, from a general meeting of parishioners ..…………………. .

We the Leaders Meeting of the Glenfield Methodist Church, being part of Birkenhead Methodist Circuit, having approval to ‘negotiate a Cooperating Agreement with the Parochial District of Glenfield in order to become a Co-operating Parish’, from a meeting of the congregation on ........……………... .

3)    The Covenant

Now declare our intention to work in co-operation according to the Guidelines for forming a Co-operating Parish (as published by the Forum of Co-operative Ventures) as from Sunday ..………..……..... 20 .…. .

THIS COVENANT IS ENTERED INTO BY THE PARTIES THIS .……...... DAY OF .…………..... 20 .… .

For – The parties (each signs)

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