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Saturday 30 September
Review of the General Assembly meeting
The current-sized General Assembly will now meet across a weekend, usually in Auckland, Wellington, or Christchurch. It will inspire and equip people, foster national connectedness, govern the Church, hear limited verbal presentations, and receive reports from independent reference groups when policy and regulation changes are required.
Winne Laban encourages Church to engage on margins
“New Zealand of the 21st century is a heterogeneous, multilingual, multicultural, vivid and colourful society”, proclaimed the Honourable Winnie Laban in her keynote address to the General Assembly this morning.
Mrs Laban, Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector and an Elder of the Presbyterian Church, told Commissioners that although she visits many churches and denominations, “I hold a special place in my heart for the Presbyterian Church.” She emphasised that a “Christ-centred, community-facing Church is a significant player in civil society and must be unafraid to engage on the margins,” and suggested that such a church could provide a model of leadership for future generations.
The importance of celebrating the tension and excitement that accompanies the increasing difference, diversity and pluralism within New Zealand society was also advocated by Mrs Laban, who claimed that “these will enable us to keep our culture and values”.
Moderator Designate confirmed
General Assembly confirmed today that the Rev Dr Graham Redding will be the Moderator Designate to serve from Assembly 2008 to Assembly 2010.
Graham began his ministry at St John’s in the City in February 2000, having served nine years at Somervell Church in Auckland. Prior to entering the ministry, he was warden of a university hall of residence in Dunedin and also has experience as a chartered accountant. He and his wife, Jenni have three children. In 1999, Graham completed a PhD in systematic theology through London University. He enjoys doing theology in the context of parish ministry, where talk about God must always be grounded in the reality of everyday life and given expression in worship that is respectful of tradition yet creative and meaningful in today’s world.
Licensing for ministry agreed
Speakers were all in favour of the proposal referred to the Leadership Subcommittee that it explore and further develop a new system of licensing for ordained ministers of the Word and Sacrament. They felt it recognised the importance of professional development, supervision and further education. Licensing would apply to all levels of ordination of ministers – local, national and Amorangi. The Leadership Subcommittee was also asked to look at extending the requirements to those holding lay pastor positions.
Nominations Committee decisions questioned
In an unusual move, the motion from Nominations Committee proposing the members of the Council of Assembly was split from that listing the various task and workgroups and subcommittees. After debate about the gender balance, North-South split, theological stance and specific individuals, the Council of Assembly nominee list as proposed was carried by a 72 percent majority.
Centre for Christian Leadership gets go-ahead
A bold move to transform the School of Ministry into the Centre for Christian Leadership has been accepted at today’s General Assembly at St Kentigern College.
In response to the changing shape of the Church in the contemporary world, a review of the School of Ministry was presented yesterday by Rev Dr Murray Rae on behalf of the School of Ministry Task Group. It recognised that the Church faces the challenge of evolving its leadership training to meet the need for much greater diversity of leadership models and ministry opportunities now and in future.
This review included a controversial proposal to replace the current two-year residential model for formation training (following their completion of theological study) with a combination of a foundational theological qualification, intensive block courses, distance education and ministry internships in different contexts, over two years. The School of Ministry at Knox College, Dunedin, would be retained as the principal base for the Centre, with a Dean of Students based in Auckland.
Commissioners were very excited about the concept, but there was also concern about some details. Debate today focused on reservations about abandoning the residential model of ministry training, noting that this has had immeasurable benefits in terms of developing collegiality and a sense of what it means to be a Presbyterian minister and a part of the wider Presbyterian Church. Nevertheless, it was noted most of the previous day’s dialogue groups had been very positive about the ethos and direction of the review.
Given the degree of debate, amendments to the motion were put to support the vision of the review and to charge the Council of Assembly with implementing a modified proposal, taking into account the strengths identified in the existing report.
These were later replaced by an attempt to send the whole proposal back for more work looking at the possibility of combining both residential study and internship. In debate concern was expressed about the impact on current staff, especially those in “acting” positions, and the risk of going around the same track for another two years. Those supporting delay felt the concept needed more work. However after an extensive exploration of the issues, the original motion, that General Assembly endorsed the proposal and vision for the Centre for Christian Leadership, was passed.
CASI proposals to General Assembly
The Churches Agency on Social Issues presented four proposals.
The proposal that General Assembly support the repeal of Section 59 of the Crimes Act, which concerns using force by way of correction towards a child, was not carried, with 120 votes for and 158 votes against. Provision was made for people to express their dissent with reasons.
CASI’s Lesley Shaw had said that repealing section 59 “makes parents responsible for correcting children with a cool, clear head”. However, questions and concerns were raised from the floor around the prosecution of parents smacking their children.
The proposal that General Assembly take proactive steps within their communities to foster non-violent values and behaviour was carried.
CASI’s proposal’s concerning ordering congregational life on sound principles of sustainability was carried. Mrs Shaw said: “We have a responsibility for stewardship; to care for what God has entrusted us.” She noted that some parishes are engaging with this challenge already, and encouraged all parishes to make sure sustainability is part of their life and mission.
The motion that General Assembly endorse CASI’s intention to oppose the Treaty of Waitangi Deletion Bill 2006 was carried. Mrs Shaw noted that the bill sought to remove references to the Treaty from other legislation. She said that the bill is “part of a move to halt the journey of reconciliation”.
Focal Identity Statement: A work in progress
Efforts by the Focal Identity Statement Task Group to take their work to the wider Church for approval were hampered by their decision to offer Assembly a last-minute re-draft of the two critical Appendices – the draft Expression of Faith and the Explanatory Notes. After much debate, Task Group convenor Richard Dawson agreed to withdraw the substitution motion and also the Group’s recommendation that the Act of Modification be approved and referred to Presbyteries under the Barrier Act.
Assembly finally agreed to pass Edwin Clarke’s motion which referred the Task Group’s report together with Overture 5 and all associated notices of motion back to the Task Group. Attempts to set a timetable failed but debate made it clear that further consultation and adequate time for consideration of changes were vital.