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Minutes of the General Assembly 2002Session 3
St Patrick's College, Silverstream, Wellington
Monday, 23 September 2002 at 1.30 p.m.The Assembly met and was constituted with prayer by the Moderator.
Memorial 1
The Rev Chris Nichol moved and it was seconded:
[02.024] That this Assembly - Appoint a Sessional Committee or pre-Assembly Commission to give consideration to all relevant conclusions of the General Assembly in the period 1985-2000 relating to the ordination of gay people. Instruct the Sessional Committee or pre-Assembly Commission to consult with such person/s as it sees fit. Ask the Sessional Committee or pre-Assembly Commission to report to the General Assembly with a specific recommendation concerning any restrictions on the presentation of gay persons for ordination studies. Ask the Sessional Committee or pre-Assembly Commission to report to this General Assembly as to whether, on the basis of prior conclusions of the General Assembly in the period 1985 to 2000, there is any restriction on the presentation of gay persons for ordination studies, and subsequent licensing and ordination
The motion was debated.
When the motion was put to the vote, there were 131 votes in favour and 194 against (40.3% to 59.7%).
The Moderator declared the motion to lie on the table.
Resourcing for Mission Policy Group
Mrs Anne Thomson and Rev Alistair McBride, Resourcing for Mission Policy Group Co- Conveners, presented the Policy Group's report.
Leave was granted to replace notice of motion [02.026] with notice of motion [02.133].
[02.026] [withdrawn]
That the Book of Order and Judicial Reference Group draft any further amendments needed to give effect to these decisions.
Church Membership
Mr McBride moved and it was seconded:
[02.025] That the following recommendations a to g be approved and sent to Presbyteries/UDCs under the Barrier Act.
a) That there be provision for two forms of membership in the Presbyterian Church, members and associate members.
b) That regulation 19 be amended to read:
Each congregation shall have a list of members, a list of associate members, and a register of all persons under pastoral care.
c) That regulation 20 be amended to read:
The list of members consists of persons recognised by the Session/Parish Council as:
· having been baptised; and
· professing their faith in Jesus Christ; and
· expressing their intention to live their discipleship as part of the congregation.
d) That regulation 22 be amended to read:
The list of associate members consists of persons recognised by the Session or Parish Council as expressing their intention to be associated with the congregation.
e) That regulation 30 be repealed.
f) That all members and associate members be entitled to a vote in congregational meetings.
g) That members (not associate members) be eligible to be elders or Parish Councillors.
[02.133] [replacing notice of motion 02.026]
That the following amendments be approved and referred to Presbyteries/UDCs under the Barrier Act. - That regulation 46 be amended to read:
All members and associate members shall be entitled to a vote in congregational meetings. That regulations 47 and 48 be repealed That regulation 55 be amended by deleting the word "communicant". That regulation 65 be amended by deleting the word "communicant". That regulation 67 be amended to read:
Members (not associate members) shall be eligible to be elders or Parish Councillors. It is not competent for a person to be disqualified at any stage on the basis of gender or ethnic origin. That regulation 236 be amended to read:
Members and associate members on the roll alone have the right to vote on the recommendation or on any motion in connection with it. The vote of members and associate members shall be reported to the Presbytery. In cases where members are unable to attend, written votes may be accepted at the meeting of the Congregation. (see also 45)
Questions for clarification were answered by the co-conveners.
The motions were referred to Dialogue Groups for consideration.
Presbytery Oversight of Congregations
Mrs Anne Thomson moved and it was seconded:
[02.027] That General Assembly adopt the proposals outlined in the paper Presbytery Oversight of Congregations (Appendix 2 in the Resourcing for Mission Policy Group report).
The motions were referred to Dialogue Groups for consideration.
Presbyterian Support
Dr Ruth Houghton, Chairperson Presbyterian Support New Zealand, presented a report to the Assembly. The Moderator acknowledged the work of Presbyterian Support.
Council of Asian Congregations
The Rev Paul Kim, Liaison Officer Council of Asian Congregations, presented the Council's report.
Presbyterian Savings and Development Society
Mr Robin Guy, General Manager of Presbyterian Savings and Development Society, presented the Society's report.
Overseas Mission and Partnerships Policy Group
The Rev Stuart Vogel, Overseas Mission and Partnerships Policy Group Convener, presented the Policy Group's report. He introduced Rev Andrew Bell, Global Mission Secretary, and Rev Chris Nichol, Ecumenical Relations Secretary.
Mr Vogel moved, and it was seconded:
Israel - Palestine
[02.035] That the General Assembly:
a) Receive the supplementary report of the Church of Scotland on Israel Palestine and commend it as a document for study in the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand.
b) Express profound sorrow and deep concern for the situation in Israel-Palestine where a continuing cycle of violence is bringing only suffering and despair, and offer continuing prayer and support for the people involved.
c) Offer support to all the Christian churches in the area in their difficult task of building peace and reconciliation
d) Condemn the attacks on innocent Israelis by Palestinian suicide bombers, gunmen and those who encourage them, as terror against innocent civilians is unacceptable to all civilised people.
e) Condemn Israeli attacks against innocent civilians and calls on the Israeli Government to work to ensure the safety of Palestinian non-combatants.
f) Support the World Council of Churches' Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel; and ask the Global Mission Office, in consultation with the Overseas Mission and Partnership Policy Group, to explore ways to express this support.
g) Affirm the conviction that justice demands a viable independent Palestinian state guaranteed by international treaty and action.
There was discussion.
The motion was referred to Dialogue Groups for consideration.
Conference of Churches in Aotearoa New Zealand (CCANZ)
Mr Michael Earle, General Secretary, Conference of Churches in Aoteaora New Zealand, and Mrs Gaynor Larsen, an elder of the Presbyterian Church and one of the three Presidents of the CCANZ, spoke to the report.
The Assembly met in Dialogue Groups.
The Assembly adjourned to meet again at 7.00 pm.
Michael Thawley, Moderator
Kerry Enright, Clerk
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