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Council News April 2006
Introduction
The opportunity for General Assembly to take the lead in making some exciting decisions for the Church was a key theme to our deliberations as we met over the last weekend in March in Island Bay , Wellington .
The point was made that “things are changing” and Council has a role in leading some of the change. We wish to continue to create a springboard for action on key matters such as how leaders are trained, stipend levels and services to support mission.
We had constructive discussions and the key points from our deliberations are outlined here or, where appropriate, more detailed information will be coming out shortly.
During our meeting we also gave thanks for the contribution of Marion Sanders, who resigned after five and a half years service to the Council.
Kerry Stotter and Helen Beaumont
Convener and Acting Deputy Convener
Church of the future: new ways of being church
Moderator the Rt Rev Garry Marquand and National Mission Enabler the Rev John Daniel presented an update on their proposal for the establishment of networks, which it is suggested would work alongside presbyteries. The paper was presented as an option for addressing the dilemma of presbyteries, which are increasingly under-resourced to equip mission.
Council endorsed further discussion on this proposal. More information about how people can become involved in this discussion will be available from Garry and John in due course
General Assembly 2006
Preparations are well underway for GA06. Since the last Council meeting, the venue has been confirmed as St Kentigern College, the business committee has met, and planning for registration and logistical arrangements has begun.
In addition, the Council and its task groups have so far sent out information for consideration by the wider church about the Book of Order rewrite, the proposed Focal Identity Statement, what the shape of Council should be and the proposed Assembly Assessment framework.
In some cases these papers represent years of work by church volunteers, and Council encourages feedback on these matters and those that are yet to come – the comments you give will help shape the final proposals that are submitted to General Assembly.
Council encourages those interested in GA06 to keep an eye on the Church’s website, which is being updated regularly with new information.
National services review
Council noted that the following progress has been made on providing only core services at a national level:
- Feasibility of outsourcing administration of the Insurance Fund and Presbyterian Investment Fund is being investigated
- Feasibility of outsourcing payroll services is being investigated.
Staff numbers in the finance area have reduced significantly over the last 18 months – there are now four full-time staff in comparison to eight full-time staff in August 2004. Significant progress has also been made on making our national magazine, sPanz, self-funding.
Te Aka Puaho
A changed approach for funding Te Aka Puaho was agreed after conversations between Te Aka Puaho and the Resource Sub-committee. The Synod will move from a “gift” system to one in which the quantum of funding will be reconsidered annually in consultation with the Maori Synod. It will take into account the Synod’s needs and the resources the Church has available.
Council endorsed a $135,000 grant for Te Aka Puaho in 2006/07, which is slightly more than 2005/06, and significantly less than the $375,000 of the preceding years.
The conversations between Te Aka Puaho and the Council have resulted in other positive outcomes including the appointment of representatives from the Synod to the Leadership and Resource Sub-committees, and the establishment of regular gatherings between members of Te Aka Puaho and the Council.
Pacific Islanders’ Synod
The acting clerk of the PI Synod, Olinda Woodroffe, spoke of renewed focus and energy within the Synod executive.
Mrs Woodroffe confirmed that the executive is meeting regularly and is in the process of locating an independent office from which the Synod can base its activities. A key priority for the future includes developing a plan for how the Council for World Mission funds can be used to develop a centre of theological reflection.
The focus on understanding and developing frameworks that facilitate improved engagement between the wider church and Synod will also continue.
Council of Asian Congregations
Council representatives met with the Asian Council in December to discuss in more detail the establishment of an Asian Commission.
A trial is underway in North Shore and Auckland presbyteries to test aspects of the proposed Commission including transferring the initial stages of the ministerial reception process for Asian ministers to the Commission (such as letters of good standing, interviews, police checks etc). The trial will also include working alongside Asian congregations that wish to join the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand , in consultation with presbyteries.
Ultimately, a report will go to GA06 about the outcomes of the trial, with the possible establishment of a commission a matter for decision by General Assembly.
Staff matters
Appointment of a new Assembly Executive Secretary
As previously communicated, existing AES Kerry Enright’s term ends at GA06.
Council considered feedback from synods, presbyteries and union district councils in deciding on the position description that will be used for the new AES. The recruitment process will start shortly and a seven-person panel was appointed to bring a recommendation to the Assembly.
School of Ministry Principal changes
Due to illness, the Very Rev Alister Rae has stepped down from his role as Acting Principal of the School of Ministry . The Rev Dr John Roxborogh has been appointed as Interim Acting Principal until Kevin Ward’s return in May.
John has been a member of School of Ministry teaching team for several years, and brings to the role a background in and extensive knowledge of the Presbyterian Church and the theological teaching environment in New Zealand and overseas.
The Council identified that the appointment of a new Principal should be considered in the context of the review of the School of Ministry .
New Human Resource Manager appointed
The AES has now confirmed the appointment of Marilla Hood to the position of Human Resources Manager. Marilla will be based in Wellington and takes up her appointment on 1 May 2006. She comes to us from NZAid where she is Human Resources Advisor.
Please join the Council in making Marilla welcome to her new role.
Churches’ Agency on Social Issues appointment
Paul Thompson has been appointed to the Church’s social justice issues ecumenical partner, CASI, following the retirement of Julia Stuart at the end of 2005.
Sub-committees update
Resource Sub-committee
General Assembly financial performance
The Sub-committee gave an update on General Assembly financial performance for the year-to-date and confirmed that we are on target to achieve a balanced budget for 2005/06. Check out www.presbyterian.org.nz/finance for the summary financial report for the six months ended 30 December 2005 .
Proceeds from sale of Laughton House
Council endorsed a recommendation that the capital proceeds from sale of Laughton House be invested for the long-term benefit of the Church. It also noted that some of the Laughton Fund would be used to repay borrowings and as a buffer to manage cashflow variability from time-to-time. The sale has had a beneficial impact on liquidity.
The Sub-committee advised Council that the interest income from sale proceeds is about the same as the new rental for Assembly office plus the former rental income from Laughton House. As a result, and as contemplated, the sale has had a neutral impact on cashflow for operating activities.
Assembly Assessment review
The Sub-committee confirmed that it had completed its review of the Assembly Assessment framework, and that input from the wider church is now in train to allow development of a final proposal that would be put to GA06.
Charities Act
Council noted that the Resource Sub-committee and Church Property Trustees have been working with the Charities Commission to discuss the implications of the Charities Act for parishes.
Preliminary advice suggests that the Assembly will not be lodging a group registration encompassing presbyteries and parishes, and that the same approach is likely to be recommended to presbyteries. Each parish may need to decide whether to register as a group (for instance, to include opportunity shops and other related activities) or as individual charities. Regulations are not yet in place and forms are still being developed. Charities will need to register by October 2007.
Information about the Act and implications for churches will be prepared and sent out to parishes and presbyteries as soon as possible.
Leadership Sub-committee
The Sub-committee’s convener, Rev Martin Baker, challenged Council to consider the diverse and changing social environment in which the Church is ministering to help determine the sort of leaders that are needed for the future.
He indicated that more data is needed on the number and type of minister we have now, so that we can better plan for the future; obtaining and analysing this data will be a focus for the Sub-committee in coming months.
Specific proposals from the Sub-committee (which were endorsed by Council) included:
- An increase to ministers’ holiday allowance to bring their holidays in line with recent changes to the Holiday ’s Act (2003).
- The abolishment of the compulsory retirement age of 65, which is currently regulated for in the Book of Order.
Both matters will be considered by GA06.
Task Group updates
Stipend Review Task Group
The final report from the Stipend Review Task Group was considered at length by Council. Rt Rev Garry Marquand thanked the Group for its extensive efforts and advocacy on behalf of ministers.
The Group’s research highlighted some matters that need further examination including further assessment of the potential impact on the Beneficiary Fund and how issues relating to the housing allowance might be resolved.
Working in conjunction with the Resource Sub-committee and Church Property Trustees, these and other matters will be evaluated, and then the Task Group plans to send out a report to the wider church for consideration in late April. Following consideration by Council in July, the final recommendations will go to GA06 for decision.
School of Ministry Review Task Group
The Task Group presented its final report, which includes a continuing focus on ministry formation and a move toward an internship model. The Group noted that the review presented an opportunity to strengthen leadership development to meet the new environments in which the Church operates – its deliberations recognised that there is increasing diversity in ministry, a growing need for regular periods of study and refreshment, and a need for a broad range of possibilities for all Christian leaders to learn.
Instead of starting off with what the Church has now and thinking how that model could be modified to suit our needs, the Task Group considered the question of what the future church would look like, and how leaders could be equipped to meet that need.
Council endorsed the broad vision that was presented, and asked for further work to be done on some aspects of the proposal before the Task Group engaged in conversation with the wider Church about the proposed way forward.
General Assembly Review Task Group
The report of the Task Group was considered, and the Council endorsed that the Group’s recommendations be sent to the wider church for input. Some recommendations have already been picked up by the Business Committee and put in place for GA06. A paper summarising the Group’s recommendations will be available to presbyteries during April.
Global Mission Office
More information about the recent activities of the Global Mission Office can be found on their website.