Session 6

Dunedin College of Education, Union Street, Dunedin
Tuesday 3 October 2000 at 8.30 am

The Assembly met and was constituted with prayer by the Moderator.

Worship was led by the Rev David Grant.

Confirmation of Minutes

The Clerk moved, and it was seconded:

That the minutes for Sessions 1, 2 and 3, as circulated, be taken as read and confirmed.

There was no debate.
The motion was agreed to.

Resourcing for Mission Policy Group

Mrs Anne Thomson, Resourcing for Mission Policy Group Co-convener, presented the Policy Group's report.

Mrs Thomson moved, and it was seconded.

[00.017] That the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand recognising the wide range of social contexts in which we are called to be the church in mission, and the variety of models of congregational life, ask the Council of Assembly to identify impediments to appropriate strategies for identifying, resourcing, developing and growing healthy congregations and to identify processes to overcome these so as to enable Presbyteries and Union District Councils to have effective oversight of the mission in their region.

[00.018] That the Assembly, recognising the need for specialist training for leaders for particular ministry environments (church planting, rural ministry, chaplaincy) ask the Council of Assembly to ensure provision for such training.

[00.019] That the Assembly support and encourages the Resourcing for Mission Policy Group in the development of a vision for the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand to be a multicultural church.

[00.020] That:

[00.021] That the Resourcing for Mission Policy Group, in consultation with the Presbyterian Church Schools and Presbyteries/UDCs, which are in relationship with Church School, develop a contemporary statement about what is the particular nature of Presbyterian Church Schools.

The Rev Alistair McBride responded to questions of clarification.
The motions were referred to Dialogue Groups for discussion.

Doctrine Reference Group

The Rev Gaye Churchill, Doctrine Reference Group Co-convener, presented the Reference Group's report.

Ms Churchill moved, and it was seconded:

[00.022] That Appendix 1 - Membership in the Church - of the Doctrine Reference Group report, be received as a contribution towards ongoing discussion.

There was no discussion.

Membership Task Group

The Rev Garry Marquand presented the Task Group's report.

Mr Marquand moved, and it was seconded:

[00.024] That the paper "Membership in a Mission Focussed Church for the Third Millennium" be sent to Presbyteries/Union District Councils, Sessions/Parish Councils, Te Aka Puaho, the pilot Pacific Islanders Synod, the Forum of Cooperative Ventures, and other appropriate bodies for study and report back to the Council of Assembly by a date fixed by the Council.

Questions of clarification were responded to by Ms Churchill, Mr Marquand, the Rev Tony Barrett and Dr Helen Bichan.

The Moderator asked Ms Churchill to convey the greetings of the General Assembly to the Rev Dr Graeme Ferguson.

Overture 5

The Rev Peter Dunn moved, and it was seconded:

[00.091] (Overture 5)
That provision be made for the administration of the Sacrament of Baptism by elders who are also authorised to administer the Sacrament of Holy Communion by the Presbytery or UDC; and that the Book of Order and Judicial Reference Group draft legislation to give effect to this provision to the next Assembly.

There was no discussion.

Overture 9

The Rev Beverley Osborn moved, and it was seconded:

[00.095] (Overture 9)That the General Assembly approve that the commissioning of Lay Ministers for service in a Parish include the authority to administer the Sacrament of Baptism in the Parish in which the ministry is being conducted, when there is no Ordained Minister of Word and Sacrament serving in that Parish, and subject to the approval of that Parish Session or Parish Council and the prior approval of the Presbytery or Union district Council responsible for that parish. To Overture 9 as sent on 2 August 2000.

There was no discussion.

Pacific Island Task Group

The Rev Lapana Faletolu and the Rev Marie Ropeti presented the Pacific Island Task Group report.

Pacific Islanders' Synod

The Rev Samuel McCay and the Rev Ene Petaia presented the report of the Pacific Islanders Synod.

Overture 14

The Rev Perema Alofivae moved, and it was seconded:

[00.100] (Overture 14)
That in relation to the Pacific Islanders Synod, the General Assembly appoint an independent committee to review progress to date, giving full consideration to all cultural groups within and without the Synod, and all other Parishes and Presbyteries impacted by the Synod influence.

Questions for clarification were responded to by the Rev Martin Stewart, Mr Alofivae, the Rev Ma'afala Koko and Mr McCay.

Forum of Co-operative Ventures

Dr David Ross, Executive Officer, Forum of Cooperative Ventures presented the report of the Forum.

Dr Ross moved, and it was seconded:

[00.023] That the General Assembly acknowledge the important role that Cooperative Ventures have to play within the life and work of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand.

There was no discussion.

Overture 8

The Rev Diane Yule moved, and it was seconded:

[00.094] (Overture 8)
That the General Assembly be required in its decision making processes to consider the implications of all decisions on Co-operative Ventures and that it instruct the Council of Assembly and its Policy Groups, Presbyteries and other decision-making bodies within the church to do likewise.

There was no discussion.

Overture 2

The Rev Bill McLeay moved, and it was seconded:

[00.088] (Overture 2)
That the prayer of Overture 2 be referred to the Forum of Co-operative Ventures for serious consideration.

There was no discussion.

The Assembly met in Dialogue Groups.

The Rev Dr Eldin Villifañe delivered the third in his series of addresses to the Assembly.

The Assembly adjourned to meet again at 1.00 pm.

Robert Yule, Moderator
Kerry Enright, Clerk