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Presbyterian Church meets to discuss Church policy

What:

Around 400 Presbyterians will gather in Auckland from 28 Sep – 2 October for their biennial meeting. Both ministers (ordained) and lay people from parishes around New Zealand will participate in deciding the future direction of their Church. Major items for discussion will include:

Installation of new Moderator – The General Assembly Moderator, or national Church leader, the Rev Pamela Tankersley will be installed during a special service on Thursday 28 September. Pamela is the Church’s fourth female Moderator.

Sexuality in leadership – General Assembly 2006 faces a decision on whether to confirm the ruling of the 2004 General Assembly, which excludes from offices such as minister and elder anyone in a sexual relationship outside marriage. The ruling does not apply to homosexual persons who have been licensed, ordained or inducted prior to 2004.

Ministerial remuneration – A recent review proposes that the remuneration for senior ministers increase by nearly $6,000 over two years. Other proposals relating to remuneration are also made.

Assembly Assessment – Assembly will vote on a proposal to alter the means by which the Church funds national ministries like leadership development and support services such as human resource and finance.

Identity issues – General Assembly is also expected to consider a proposal to re-articulate the Church’s doctrinal base for a new generation. If adopted, this would represent the most significant doctrinal change since the Presbyterian Church was established in New Zealand in 1840. A re-articulation of the Church’s regulations (The Book of Order) is also expected to be considered.

More information, including the reports to General Assembly commissioners, on each of these matters is available on request.

When:

1:00pm Thursday, 28 September – 2:00pm Monday, 2 October. With the exception of opening and closing days, sessions generally run from 8:30am until 9:30pm . Further information about the dates/times on which specific topics will discussed, will be made available during week commencing 11 September to those who have registered interest.

Where:

St Kentigern College, 130 Pakuranga Road, Auckland.

Media contacts:

To obtain a media accreditation pack, attend all or part of the Assembly, or request further information, please contact Amanda Wells on commsmanager(at)presbyterian.org.nz or 027 5353 020. Further information is also available on our website at: www.presbyterian.org.nz