Session 12
Dunedin College of Education, Union Street, Dunedin
Thursday 5 October 2000 at 1.00 pmThe Assembly met and was constituted with prayer by the immediate past Moderator, the Very Rev Bruce Hansen.
Mr Hansen expressed the thanks of the Assembly and to the Synod of Otago and Southland for the enhancement of the Assembly proceedings.
Reasons for Dissent
The Clerk moved, and it was seconded:
That the reasons for dissent to a decision made in Session 1 of this Assembly be included with the minutes of Assembly, and the Very Rev Alister Rae and Mr Tom Tennant be asked to prepare on behalf of the General Assembly a response to the reasons for dissent.
There was no debate.
The motion was agreed to.
Reasons for Dissent to the Decision of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand to elect the Rev Rob Yule as Moderator.
Dissent was registered in relation to the expectations of the Moderator.
The Moderator is to bring unity to the church. The Moderator needs to be informed, competent and recognised as the spokesperson and representative of the Church. [Book of Order, Appendix D-8]
Public statements made by Mr Yule have raised grave doubts as to his ability to meet these expectations. In recent weeks Mr Yule's extreme views on homosexuality have been covered in a number of articles in newspapers in Aotearoa New Zealand. The sermon used by the media, 'A Society with the Brakes Off: A Study in Moral Decline,' was until 12 September 2000 available on Mr Yule's parish web site.
Mr Yule's views included the claim that public acceptance of homosexual people is a symptom of the wider phenomenon of moral decline in societies and civilisations, and that such acceptance is a sign that God is about to give up on humanity.
'The more homosexual behaviour is normalised, the more clearly those with eyes to see will recognise that our society's destruction is at hand.'
He suggests that gay people who are 'persistently obdurate and defiant' (i.e. remain true to themselves and the God who created them) have sinned against the Holy Spirit. The implication is that such 'sin' is unforgivable.
Mr Yule claimed that rejection of heterosexual intercourse is a 'flagrant rejection of the human nature that God has created.' And about anal intercourse and AIDS, he says, 'the resultant Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome corroborates Paul's analysis exactly: 'men received in themselves due penalty for their perversion'. (In contradiction of the 1987 Assembly decisions on AIDS).
These views are uninformed, prejudiced, and dangerous. Such anti-gay rhetoric can lead to internalised homophobia in gay and lesbian people, especially young people who are still coming to terms with their sexual orientation. Exposure to anti-gay material can lead to unsafe sexual practices, drug and alcohol abuse, and suicide. They may also lead to persecution of, or violence against, lesbian, gay and bisexual people. (A national survey in the US found that 53% of respondents had been victims of anti-gay/lesbian violence. Incidents ranged from being chased, to being beaten, bludgeoned and stabbed. Comstock, 1990.)
These views affected the wellbeing of all gay and lesbian ministers, elders, leaders (including youth, worship, music, etc.) and members of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand. They are profoundly offensive to many Presbyterians, both gay and straight.
Also of concern, are Mr Yule's assertions in the September issue of Crosslink that the issues around sexuality have been resolved in an open and just manner, that unity has been achieved, and that now is the time for the Church to move forward. This does not appear to be a realistic understanding of where the church is, in the eyes of many who are members of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand.
However, of most concern, was that when questioned by the news media about his view he continued to support them (The Dominion, 12 September 2000). In the Otago Daily Times, 26 September 2000, the reporter wrote: 'When contacted last night, Mr Yule said his view coincided with what the church believed.'
Mr Yule was also quoted in the Otago Daily Times as saying he had intentionally avoided making his views known since 1985 (OTD 26 September, 2000). We regret that many Commissioners voting at the election were still unaware of them.
While we struggle to respect the right of Mr Yule to hold these views which cause pain, which vilify a group of human beings because of who they are, we must allow his right to do so. What is not acceptable is the presentation and defence of them as the position of the church.
It is feared that so prejudicial and extreme are Mr Yule's views that he might not be able to moderate impartially or represent the whole church, which includes gay, lesbian and bisexual people. It is out of deep care for the place of the church and its mission in Aotearoa in the 21st century, that we dissent to the election of Mr Yule.
Minutes
The Clerk moved, and it was seconded:
That the minutes of Sessions 4, 5, 6 and 7 be taken as read and confirmed.
There was no debate.
The motion was agreed to.
Pre-Assembly Commission on Petition 1
(About the ministerial status of the Rev Kimi Henry)
The Rev Pamela Tankersley moved, and it was seconded:
That the Rev David Grant be associated with the Assembly for this matter.
The motion was agreed to.
The Clerk moved, and it was seconded:
That the members of the Southland Presbytery be called to the bar.
The motion was agreed to.
Mr Grant moved, and it was seconded:
[00.125] 1. That the Petition be declined.2. That the following clause be added to the Appendix E17,2.8 of the Book of Order (1996) " When in the interest of providing ministry in a local context it is deemed appropriate for a parish with a ministerial vacancy to call a person ordained under this regulation, the parish and the Presbytery/UDC may make application to the Personnel Workgroup. The Personnel Workgroup, having consulted the Presbytery/UDC and the parish in which the minister is currently serving, and having taken into account the interests of the wider Church, may forward application to the Council of Assembly. The Council may, on receipt of such an application, transfer the geographical restriction from one location to another according to the protocols established by the Personnel Workgroup, which shall include consultation with the National Assessment Workgroup and the School of Ministry."3) That given the fact that it is now possible to serve ten years in a Limited Local Ministry, and that changes have taken place to the Beneficiary Fund, the Beneficiary Fund Work Group considers the position of ministers working in Limited Local Ministry.
Mr Grant responded to questions of clarification.
Mr Warwick Taylor moved, and it was seconded:
That Assembly meet in private.
The motion was agreed to.
There was debate.
The Rev Martin Stewart moved, and it was seconded:
That Assembly resume business in public.
The motion was agreed to.
Motion [00.125] was carried.
The Clerk moved, and it was seconded:
That the parties to the bar be removed.
The motion was agreed to.
Mrs Tankersley sought, and was granted, leave to withdraw Motion [00.105].
[00.105] Petition 1That although the Rev Kimi Henry was inducted to Limited Local Ministry, the General Assembly remove the restrictions placed on his availability to be inducted to other parishes set out in paragraph 2.8 of Appendix E -17
Pre-Assembly Commission on Petition 2
(request for ordination of Mr Bryan White)
The Clerk moved, and it was seconded:
That the members of the Waikato Presbytery, Mr Bryan White and Horsham Downs Church be called to the bar.
The motion was agreed to.
The Rev Murray McMeikan, convener of the Pre-Assembly Commission on Petition 2 presented the report of the Commission.
Mr McMeikan moved, and it was seconded:
That Assembly meet in private to discuss Motion [00.129].
The motion was agreed to.
Mr McMeikan moved, and it was seconded:[00.129] That the Petition be declined.
The Clerk moved, and it was seconded:
That the parties to the bar, Waikato Presbytery, Mr Bryan White and Horsham Downs Church be removed.
The motion was agreed to.
The Clerk moved, and it was seconded that the Assembly resume business in public.
The motion was agreed to.
Motion [00.129] was carried.
Mrs Tankersley sought, and was granted, leave to withdraw Notice of Motion [00.106].
[00.106] That the General Assembly authorise the Presbytery of Waikato to ordain and induct Mr Bryan White under the Limited Local Ministry regulations.
Resumption of Debate on Lay Administration of Sacraments
(adjourned from previous Session)
Debate resumed on Motion [00.130] (Lay administration of sacraments).
[00.130] 1) That the General Assembly reaffirm that the two sacraments of the PCANZ are Holy Communion and Baptism, and that the provision of each of these sacraments is necessary to the life of every parish.
2) That the General Assembly agree in principle to the authorisation of elders to celebrate the Sacrament of Baptism in a parish in which there is no ordained Minister of Word and Sacrament, such authorisation to be subject to the authority of the Presbytery/UDC.
3) That the Council of Assembly set up a Task Group to draft regulations and legislation relating to the selection, training, authorisation and the roles of the Presbytery/UDC and Session/Parish Council and other related matters, and report to the next Assembly
The Rev Ken Wall and Mrs Mona Riini made statements on behalf of Te Aka Puaho. They advised that Te Aka Puaho would stand aside from decisions made on this matter.
The motion was debated.
The motion was put clause by clause.
Clause 1
The clause was agreed to.
Clause 2
Votes for the clause were 209 (58%); votes against were 151 (42%), and the clause was declared to lie on the table.
The Rev Peter Dunn sought, and was granted, leave to withdraw clause 3.
Answers to Reasons for Dissent
The Clerk moved, and it was seconded:
That answers to the reasons for dissent given in Session 1 be entered into the Minutes of Assembly.
The motion was agreed to.
The Book of Order sets out the procedure for the election of a moderator. The reasons for dissent do not suggest any irregularity in this process. The dissenters, therefore, represent an opinion as to Mr Yule's ability, while holding certain views, to be fair to those with whom he differs and to speak and represent the church. This is an opinion contrary to those who supported his election. By the rules of our church dissenters have the right to express their opinion and have exercised it. It is for the Assembly to answer.
The moderator has two functions. He or she 'presides' over the Assembly and he or she is the recognised 'spokesperson and representative of the church' to the Council of Assembly, to the presbyteries, to other churches and to the wider community.
As far as presiding over the Assembly is concerned, this is a very public role. We all watch the moderator doing it and if there is any question of partiality or impropriety, standing orders provide for the moderator's rulings to be challenged. It is possible for the Assembly, by its vote, to over-rule the moderator.
As far as the spokesperson/representing role is concerned, it is clear from the Book of Order that the moderator is to speak and act 'on behalf' of the Assembly. The moderator is to communicate 'the General Assembly's opinions and decisions in the public arena'. The moderator is 'to bring unity to the church'. These are instructions to Mr Yule, expectations of him, the responsibility we lay on him. He accepts this responsibility and commits himself to fairness and impartiality.
The decision of the Assembly in electing him recognises that he is a man who is aware of these things but we should also recognise that in these things we ask a great deal. There is the potential in not fulfilling this responsibility to cause great hurt and great damage. However, since we are not a church of one mind there are various views on what fulfilling this responsibility involves and the moderator must take account of that variety. We ought, therefore to support our moderator with our best information, our most competent help in public statements and considered public acts, and our best prayer for his wisdom and grace.
Minutes
The Clerk moved, and it was seconded:
That Minutes of Session 8 be taken as read and confirmed.
The motion was agreed to.
The Moderator, the Rt Rev Rob Yule, resumed the chair.
Facilitation Group
Facilitation Group member the Rev Hamish Galloway reported Dialogue Group responses to Motion [00.024] (Membership Task Group.)
Membership Task Group
The Rev Graham Redding 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.
Mr Redding sought, and was granted leave to introduce an additional sentence to the motion.
Mr Redding moved, and it was seconded:
That the discussion paper of the Doctrine Reference Group on Membership also be sent to these parties.
The amendment was agreed to.
The motion, as amended, was carried.
Children at Assembly
Mrs Alison Grimshaw reported Dialogue Group responses to Motion [00.115].
[00.115] That the next ordinary meeting of the General Assembly include a Children's Programme for children aged six and over, and the Local Arrangements Committee be requested to make suitable space available.
The motion was debated.
131 (68%) voted in favour of the motion, and 61(32%) against.
The motion was carried.
Special Committee on Membership of Presbytery
Facilitation Group member Mrs Nola Stuart reported Dialogue Group responses to Motions [00.081], [00.082], [00.083], [00.084, [00.085], [00.086].
The Rev John Sinclair sought, and was granted, leave to withdraw the wording of Notice of Motion [00.086], and to replace it with the following:
That the prayer of the overture be referred to the Task Group set up under decision [00.141] (on the role of lay ministry).
[00.081] That in regard to lay appointments generally, the Assembly draws the attention of Presbyteries and District Councils to its former instructions that in making Lay Appointments the procedures followed must conform exactly to the present regulations; and in particular that the General Administration Committee (or its successor) must sight and approve the Terms of Appointment.
The motion was debated.
The motion was carried.
[00.082] That in regard to lay people engaging in a ministry similar to that of word and sacrament within a parish, such ministry can only be exercised with the express authority of the Presbytery. When such a person is an ordained elder (and it is desirable that they should be), the Session may choose to appoint him/her to be the representative elder for that parish, and therefore to a full seat on Presbytery as an elder.
The motion was debated.
The motion was carried.
[00.083] That in regard to congregational appointees and their eligibility for a full seat on Presbytery, Assembly again affirms the principle that since such persons have no right to exercise ministry beyond the parish which appointed them; and since Presbytery has no direct role in their appointment, and they are not under the direct discipline of Presbytery, that person does not have a full seat on Presbytery.
The motion was debated.
The motion was agreed to.
[00.084] That the General Assembly affirms anew its belief that the Presbyteries have a necessary and vital function to perform in the life of the Church, and urges all Elders and Ministers to fulfil their obligations in Presbytery in such a way that the health and well-being of the whole Church is deliberately promoted.
There was no debate.
The motion was agreed to.
[00.085] That this General Assembly re-affirms its commitment to the principle that those who believe themselves to be called by God to the Ministry of Word and Sacrament in this Church, should always be assessed and trained for the fulfillment of that calling according to requirements which the Assembly itself shall prescribe.
There was no debate.
The motion was agreed to.
[00.086] (Withdrawn wording)That the Prayer of the Overture from Southland Presbytery to the 1998 Assembly be fallen from.(Replacement wording)That the prayer of the Overture from Southland Presbytery be referred to the task group set up under Decision [00.141].
The replacement motion was debated.
The motion was agreed to.
Historical Records
Ms Yvonne Wilkie, Historical Records Archivist, presented the report of the Historical Records Reference Group.
Book of Order
Mr Colin Pidgeon, Book of Order and Judicial Reference Group Convener, presented the report of the Reference Group.
Mr Pidgeon moved, and it was seconded:
[00.036] That regulation 227 be amended to read as follows:The Presbytery may give authority for steps to be taken to fill the vacancy before the pastoral tie is dissolved, but in no case, other than in the case of an approved Co-operative Venture, shall a recommendation from the Board of Nomination be presented to the Congregation before the dissolution of the pastoral tie. (Appendix H-3).
There was no debate.
The motion was agreed to.
Mr Pidgeon moved, and it was seconded:
[00.037] That a new regulation 172 (b) be added to the Book of Order as follows (the following sections to be renumbered)(b) (i) stimulates significant theological and biblical dialogue(ii) supports, encourages and equips congregations in mission, including regular visitations(iii) approves and respects faith statements of congregations, subject to such statements being consistent with Standards, fundamental doctrines, rules and policies of the Church and that time should be set aside at ordinary meetings to ensure that those responsibilities are fulfilled.
There was no debate.
The motion was agreed to.
Mr Pidgeon sought, and was granted, leave to withdraw Motion [00.038] and replace it with Motion [00.111].
[00.038] (Withdrawn)That the following words be added to 124 (d) in the Book of Order and sent for consideration by Presbyteries and Union District Councils under the Barrier Act 1697: The number of such elders from a parish may be equal to, but no more than, the number of full time ministers serving the parish.
Mr Pidgeon moved, and it was seconded:
[00.111] That the question of the number of elders from a parish being represented at Presbytery be referred to the Resourcing for Mission Policy Group
There was no debate.
The motion was agreed to.
Church Architecture
The Rev Lorraine Francis presented the report of the Church Architecture Reference Group.
Book of Order
Mr Pidgeon moved, and it was seconded:
[00.039] That regulation 172 (d) (v) in the Book of Order be amended to read as follows:(v) approves building proposals involving the expenditure of $80,000 or more only when the person or persons engaged in drawing up plans and specifications for churches, manses and other buildings are competent.
The motion was debated.
The motion was carried.
Knox College and Salmond Hall
Mr Bruce Aitken, Master of Knox College, presented the report of the Council of Knox College and Salmond Hall.
Ministry Regulations
The Rev Ralph Penno moved, and it was seconded:
[00.119] That Clause 3.4.2 of E 17 Ministry Regulations ("the parish or appointment shall be other than the one from which the minister entered retirement") be reviewed by the appropriate Work Group.
There was no debate.
The motion was agreed to.
Crosslink
The Rev Hamish Galloway reported Dialogue Group responses to Motion [00.118].
Mr Galloway sought, and was granted, leave to withdraw the motion, and to replace it with Notice of Motion [00.148].
[00.118] (Withdrawn)To replace Overtures 7 & 13. (Notices of Motion [00.093] &[00.099] )That the General Assembly reject the Council of Assembly's intent to withdraw from the publication of 'Crosslink' as being contrary to the welfare of its congregations, the Christian understanding of mission and to the gospel imperative of unity, and that the Council of Assembly be instructed to enter into dialogue with the Methodist Church of New Zealand, the Forum of Cooperative Ventures and such other parties as may be affected so that a mutually satisfactory way forward may be determined and the common communication needs of our churches met.
The Rev Elizabeth Mansill moved, and it was seconded:
[00.148] (Replaces Notice of Motion [00.118] )a) That the General Assembly reject the Council of Assembly's intent to withdraw from the publication of 'Crosslink' as being contrary to the welfare of its congregations, the Christian understanding of mission and to the gospel imperative of unity.b) 1) That Assembly affirm the need to maintain a healthy working relationship with the Methodist Church at all levels. 2) That Assembly instruct Council to enter into dialogue with the Methodist Church to determine a way we can together discuss these matters with the Forum of Cooperative Ventures and such other parties as may be affected directly by our actions, so that effective communication processes can be put in place which will be satisfactory, and also to discuss any other areas of mutual concern to facilitate a closer working between our two churches. 3) That the Moderator be requested to communicate the decisions of the above recommendations personally, to the President of the Methodist Church of New Zealand, before Conference.
The motion was debated.
The two clauses of the motion were put to the vote separately.
Motion [00.148] a)
The motion was lost.
Motion [00.148] b)
The motion was carried.
Administration and Finance Policy Group
Mrs Grimshaw reported on Dialogue Group responses to Motion [00.035].
[00.035] That the General Assembly endorse the policy direction set out in the Communication Task Group report.
There was no debate.
The motion was carried.
Overture 14
Mrs Stuart reported on Dialogue Group responses to Motion [00.100].
Mrs Stuart sought, and was granted, leave to withdraw Motion [00.100] and replace it with Motion [00.132].
[00.100] 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.
The Rev Perema Alofivae moved, and it was seconded:
[00.132] (Replaces Notice of Motion [00.100] ) That the Council of Assembly be responsible for setting up an independent review committee giving full consideration to all cultural groups within and without the Pacific Islanders Synod and all other Parishes and Presbyteries impacted by the Synod's influence. That this committee include a representative from Council of Assembly and the Special Committee to review the Pacific Islanders' Synod Pilot Scheme and report back to the General Assembly 2002 with recommendations.
The motion was debated.
The Rev Martin Stewart moved an amendment, which was seconded:
That the words 'and the Special Committee' be deleted.
The amendment was carried.
The motion, as amended, now read:
[00.132] That the Council of Assembly be responsible for setting up an independent review committee giving full consideration to all cultural groups within and without the Pacific Islanders' Synod and all other Parishes and Presbyteries impacted by the Synod's influence. That this committee include a representative from Council of Assembly to review the Pacific Islanders' Synod Pilot Scheme and report back to the General Assembly 2002 with recommendations.
The debate was adjourned to Session 13.
The Assembly adjourned to meet again at 7.00 pm.
The Moderator closed the meeting with prayer.
Robert Yule, Moderator
Kerry Enright, Clerk
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