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Minutes of the General Assembly 2002Session 9
S t Patrick's College, Silverstream, Wellington
Wednesday, 26 September 2002 at 7.00 p.m.
The Assembly met and was constituted with prayer by the Moderator.
Moderator's Dialogue
The Moderator introduced the Hon Steve Maharey, Minister of Social Services and Employment. The Moderator engaged in dialogue with Mr Maharey on matters of concern to the church.
Youth Ministry
Ms Morag Mansill, National Youth Ministry Co-director, gave a presentation.
Reception of Overseas Guest
The Rev Jean Wete, President of the Evangelical Church of New Caledonia and the Loyalty Islands, was introduced. Mr Wete addressed the Assembly.
Book of Order & Judicial Reference Group
Mr Colin Pidgeon, Book of Order & Judicial Reference Group Convener, presented a report.
Sexual Misconduct Procedures
Mr Pidgeon moved and it was seconded:
[02.099] That Appendix E-9 of the Book of Order (Sexual Misconduct Procedures) be replaced by Appendix E-9 as set out in Appendix 1 of the Book of Order and Judicial Reference Group report to this Assembly.
The Rev Rilma Sands moved an amendment, which was seconded:
That in Appendix E-9 (Sexual Misconduct Procedures), the same rights for legal costs apply to respondents as to complainants under clause 11.4, and the Book of Order and Judicial Reference Group be authorised to incorporate the consequential amendments in the Book of Order.
The amendment was briefly debated.
The amendment was agreed to.
When put as the substantive motion, [02.099] with the additional clause as above, was agreed to.
Leave was granted, to replace notice of motion [02.124] (Overture 9) with notice of motion [02.162].
[02.124] Overture 9 - withdrawn and replaced by [02.162] - That the Presbyterian Church adopt a national process for the hearing of complaints of sexual harassment. That a Task Group be established to consult with presbyteries, the Forum of Co-operative Ventures Standing Committee, those in presbyteries currently responsible for implementing Sexual Harassment procedures, the Book of Order Rewrite Task Group, and other interested parties and to formulate the best way to implement such a process, to keep it as simple as possible and to include funding. That the Task Group direct the Book of Order and Judicial Reference Group to formulate appropriate regulations. That the Task Group consider any other such matters that relate to Complaints Procedures, such as The keeping of national records of upheld complaints and disclosure within presbyteries, between presbyteries and beyond the Church. The voluntary or compulsory adherence by ministers and church staff to the Code of Pastoral Ethics (Book of Order E 10). A form of Indemnity Cover for cases that are heard within the church courts,
The use of mediation as a confidential means to resolve complaints, in a manner that respects the position of both complainant and respondent.
Mr Glen Labrum moved, and it was seconded:
[02.162] Replacing notice of motion [02.124] (Overture 9)
That while the Assembly appreciates the steps taken by the Book of Order and Judicial Reference Group to establish a National Hearing Process for Complaints of Sexual Harassment, it asks the Council of Assembly to set up a Task Group to consider any other such matters that relate to the maintenance of professional boundaries for church workers such as - the Code of Ethics (Book of Order E 19A) indemnity cover for cases that are heard within church courts disclosure and confidentiality matters, within the Presbytery, between Presbyteries and beyond the church training and support for contact persons and those administering the processes preventative education for church workers monitoring of the application of regulations the use and impact of confidentiality on complainants, respondents and their communities.
There was brief debate.
The motion was agreed to.
Book of Order & Judicial Reference Group
Mr Pidgeon moved en bloc notices of motion [02.100] to [02.105], and these were seconded:
[02.100] That regulation 194 (1) be amended to read as follows:
194 Extension or cessation of tenure - Unless the Assembly determines otherwise the tenure of call or appointment to a charge shall cease from the date the minister retires which must not be later than his or her 66th birthday. The Assembly may extend tenure on the request of a Presbytery where there are special circumstances. The Council of Assembly may act as a Commission of Assembly to extend tenure under this regulation where determination by General Assembly is not possible without the calling of an emergency meeting.
[02.101] That the terms of reference for the Council of Assembly as outlined in Appendix E-20 be amended by adding the following new clause 10 (and consequentially renumbering the subsequent clauses 11 to 13) as follows:
To act as a Commission of Assembly to extend tenure under regulation 194 (3).
[02.102] That regulation 221 be amended to read:
The Presbytery shall appoint four persons, whether from within the bounds of Presbytery or not, two of whom shall be elders, and two of whom shall be ministers, who, together with the nominator and the parish representatives appointed under the preceding regulation, shall be the Board of Nomination, for that particular vacancy. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Presbytery may, in its absolute discretion, appoint only one minister if the nominator is a minister, in addition to the nominator.
[02.103] That the terms of reference of the Book of Order and Judicial Reference Group (Appendix E-20) have added to them the following:
To appoint, whether from within its members or otherwise, from time to time in its discretion, such persons to be Regional Advisors, on matters concerning the Book of Order, as it sees fit.
[02.104] That regulation 118 e be amended by adding after the words "Church Property Trustees" the following words "or (for parishes within the Synod of Otago and Southland) the Synod of Otago and Southland", and after the word "Trustees" add the words "or Synod."
[02.105] That Appendix E-20 be amended by adding at the end of the section relating to the Church Property Trustees the following words:
"In the provinces of Otago and Southland parish property is vested in the Otago Foundation Trust Board."
There was brief debate.
The motions were agreed to.
The work of Mr Pidgeon as Book of Order & Judicial Reference Group Convener was acknowledged.
Subordinate Standards
Facilitation Group member Mrs Nola Stuart reported Dialogue Group responses to notices of motion [02.083] to [02.086]. Mrs Stuart indicated there had been strong support for these motions.
The Very Rev Alister Rae, Subordinate Standards Task Group Convener, having moved notice of motion [02.083] in an earlier session, spoke to the motion.
[02.083] That the Book of Order Re-write Task Group be instructed by this Assembly to re-write regulation 1 in the Book of Order in the terms outlined in this report, and report their suggested wording to the next Assembly for adoption.
Leave was granted to replace notice of motion [02.090] with notice of motion [02.167].
[02.090] Overture 8: Doctrinal Standards - replaced by notice of motion [02.167]
That no attempt be made to alter the present relationship of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand to its confession of faith and other subordinate standards until such time as: - The Constitutional issues have been faced and resolved. Assembly has approved a substitute confession of faith that is (a) genuinely consistent with the historic apostolic and reformed faith, (b) fairly comprehensive, rather than just a brief affirmation, (c) more contemporary in language, (d) appropriate for New Zealand, yet consistent with Christian orthodoxy world-wide.
The Rev Stuart Lange moved notice of motion [02.167] as an amendment to notice of motion [02.083]. The amendment was seconded.
[02.167] That the relationship of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand to its confession of faith and other subordinate standards be altered only after: - The Constitutional issues have been faced and resolved. Assembly has approved a substitute confession of faith that is (a) rather than just a brief affirmation, (c) more contemporary in language, (d) appropriate for New Zealand, yet consistent with Christian orthodoxy world-wide.
There was extensive debate.
The amendment was lost, with 113 votes in favour (43.7%), and 167 (59.9%) against.
When put, motion [02.083] was carried.
Mr Rae, having moved notice of motion [02.084] in an earlier session, now spoke to the motion.
[02.084] That the Council of Assembly appoint a Task Group to develop a focal identity statement such as that suggested in Appendix 3 for use in worship as a confession of faith, including by those joining the church and those taking up leadership roles; the Task Group to include those who have a feeling for the use of language appropriate in worship; and that the results of their deliberations be reported through the Doctrine Reference Group to the next Assembly for adoption.
There was debate.
The motion was carried.
Mr Rae, having moved notice of motion [02.085] in an earlier session, now spoke to the motion.
[02.085] That the Book of Order and Judicial Reference Group together with the Book of Order Re-write Task Group be instructed by the Assembly to draw up a statement of the relationship between members and office bearers and our theological and historical statements in sympathy with the direction set out above and that this statement, and a formula to be signed by those holding office in this church, be reported to the next Assembly for adoption. [See section 9]
There was no debate.
The motion was carried.
Mr Rae, having moved notice of motion [02.086] in an earlier session, now spoke to the motion.
[02.086] That the Subordinate Standards Task Group be thanked and discharged.
There was no debate.
The motion was carried.
Closing prayers were led by the Rev Carol Grant.
The Moderator announced the benediction.
The Assembly adjourned to meet again on Thursday, 27 September 2002 at 8.30 a.m.
Michael Thawley, Moderator
Kerry Enright, Clerk
Go to Session 10
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