2010 Book of Order

Chapter 1: Background of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand

1.1 Standards
1.2 Background
1.3 The Church
1.4 A Presbyterian Church
1.5 A multicultural Church with a bicultural commitment
1.6 A Church committed to unity
1.7 The Formula
1.8 Alteration of this Chapter

Chapter 2: About the Book of Order and its interpretation

2.1 Purpose of the Book of Order
2.2 Authority of the Book of Order
2.3 Structure of the Book of Order
2.4 Use of defined terms in the Book of Order
2.5 Interpretation of headings
2.6 Summary of functions of persons and bodies
2.7 Alteration of the Book of Order

Chapter 3: Supplementary provisions

3.1 Issue of supplementary provisions
3.2 The nature of supplementary provisions
3.3 Delegation to the Council of Assembly
3.4 Notification of supplementary provisions
3.5 Compliance with supplementary provisions
3.6 Alteration of this chapter

Chapter 4: Membership

4.1 Belonging to the Church
4.2 Becoming a member of a congregation
4.3 Becoming an associate member of a congregation
4.4 Rights and privileges of membership
4.5 Rights and privileges of associate membership
4.6 Responsibilities of members
4.7 Responsibilities of associate members
4.8 Responsibilities of the church council to members and associate members
4.9 Application for membership from member moving from another congregation
4.10 Rolls and removal from rolls
4.11 Alteration of this Chapter

Chapter 5: The congregation

5.1 Nature of the congregation
5.2 Functions of the congregation
5.3 Procedures relating to meetings of congregations
5.4 Application to form a new congregation
5.5 Matters to be investigated before forming a new congregation
5.6 Establishment of a co-operative venture
5.7 Procedures to be followed before deciding whether to form a new congregation
5.8 Implication of decision to form a new congregation
5.9 Dissolution of a congregation
5.10 Procedures to be followed before deciding whether to dissolve a congregation
5.11 Responsibilities of presbytery if a congregation is dissolved
5.12 Right of appeal in relation to decision to form or dissolve a congregation
5.13 Reporting to the General Assembly
5.14 Alteration of this Chapter

Chapter 6: Ministers and elders

6.1 Background
6.2 Nature of office of minister
6.3 Functions of a minister
6.4 Leadership in worship
6.5 Leadership in mission
6.6 Pastoral care
6.7 Spiritual nurture
6.8 Responsibility of minister
6.9 Nature of office of elder
6.10 Functions of an elder
6.11 Leadership in worship
6.12 Leadership in mission
6.13 Pastoral care and oversight of the congregation
6.14 Spiritual nurture
6.15 Responsibilities of elders
6.16 Alteration of this chapter

Chapter 7: Church Council

7.1 Background
7.2 Functions of a church council
7.3 Legislative proposals
7.4 Options for structure of a church council
7.5 Approval of special structure of a church council
7.6 Officers of a church council
7.7 Session
7.8 Board of managers
7.9 Deacons’ court
7.10 Term of elder or deacon
7.11 Parish Council
7.12 Functions
7.13 Responsibilities of minister or local ministry team
7.14 Responsibilities of church council
7.15 Responsibilities of a board of managers and deacons’ court
7.16 Meetings of a church council
7.17 Reference by a member or associate member of congregation to a church council
7.18 Minutes
7.19 Powers to appoint committees and delegate
7.20 Powers of Committees
7.21 Decisions of Session
7.22 Commissioners to presbytery
7.23 Electing commissioners to presbytery
7.24 Election of alternate commissioner
7.25 Dissolution of a church council
7.26 Alteration of this Chapter

Chapter 8: Presbytery

8.1 Background
8.2 General scope of presbytery’s role
8.3 Primary function of presbytery
8.4 Specific presbytery functions
8.5 Initiating legislative proposals
8.6 Legislative proposals received from the General Assembly
8.7 Formation, alteration and abolition of presbyteries
8.8 Independence of presbyteries
8.9 Membership of presbyteries
8.10 Officers of presbytery
8.11 Moderator of presbytery
8.12 Clerk and other officers of a presbytery
8.13 Meetings of presbytery
8.14 Special and emergency meetings of presbytery
8.15 Other constraints on meetings of presbytery
8.16 Delegation
8.17 Appointment of ministers and elders to attend the General Assembly
8.18 Alteration of this chapter

Chapter 9: Training, cordination and commissioning for ministry

9.1 Background
9.2 Ordination for ministry of word and sacrament
9.3 Ordination of elders and deacons
9.5 Role of General Assembly in training of persons preparing for ordination
9.6 Authority of presbytery in selection, training, ordination and commissioning
9.7 Process for ordination for national ordained ministry
9.8 National assessment process
9.9 Training for national ordained ministry
9.10 Licensing of candidates for national ordained ministry
9.11 Ordination of licentiate
9.12 Appointment to co-operative venture
9.13 Ordination for local ordained ministry
9.14 A call to local ordained ministry can be identified in one of three ways
9.15 Training of candidates for local ordained ministry
9.16 Roles of training adviser and training enabler
9.17 Commissioning of candidates for local ordained ministry
9.18 Final review of candidate for local ordained ministry
9.20 Continuing ministry formation of local ordained minister
9.21 Transfer of local ordained minister to another local ordained ministry
9.22 Transfer of local ordained minister to national ordained ministry
9.23 Processes leading to identifying a local ministry team
9.24 Process for establishing a local ministry team
9.25 Training of the local ministry team
9.26 Commissioning of local ministry team
9.27 Continuing ministry formation for local ministry team
9.28 Other assistance for on-going training of local ministry team
9.29 Role of training enablers
9.30 Responsibilities of members of local ministry team
9.31 Withdrawal of a member or members of a local ministry team
9.32 Appointments outside local ministry team
9.33 Requirements for amorangi ministry
9.34 Ministry within Te Aka Puaho
9.35 Establishment of ministry in Te Aka Puaho
9.36 Training for ministry in Te Aka Puaho
9.37 Licensing, ordination, and Induction of candidates
9.38 Continuing ministry formation of amorangi
9.39 Transfer of amorangi to national ordained ministry
9.40 Transfer of ministers from other denominations
9.41 Preparation for ordination of elders
9.42 Ordination and Induction of elders
9.43 Authorisation of elders to administer the sacraments
9.44 Ordination and induction of deacons
9.45 Power to appoint recognised ministries
9.46 Functions of recognised ministries
9.47 Support for recognised ministries
9.48 Commissioning of persons engaged in recognised ministry

Chapter 10: Ministry settlement and termination

10.1 Background and application
10.2 Opportunity for ministry settlement
10.3 Interim Moderator
10.4 Establishment of ministry settlement board
10.5 Members of boards for joint congregations
10.6 Special provisions for co-operative ventures
10.7 Functions of the Ministry Settlement Board
10.8 Obtaining church council and congregational approval
National ordained ministry
10.9 Responsibilities of presbytery on receiving a recommendation for national ordained ministry
10.10 Recommendation approved by presbytery
10.11 Making a settlement
10.12 Presbytery consideration of the call
10.13 Call within a presbytery
10.14 Call to a member of another presbytery
10.15 Call accepted and induction date set
10.16 Responsibilities of presbytery on receiving a recommendation for local ordained ministry
10.17 Recommendation for local ordained ministry approved by presbytery
Local ministry team
10.18 Responsibilities of presbytery on receiving a recommendation for a local ministry team
10.19 Proposal for local team ministry approved by presbytery
Termination of ministry settlement and resignation
10.20 Termination of ministry settlement
10.21 Grounds for termination of a ministry settlement
10.22 Termination of ministry by death
10.23 Termination of ministry by resignation
10.24 Termination of ministry by retirement
10.25 Termination under chapter 15 as a result of a determination of unbecoming conduct
10.26 Appointment to another ministry position
10.27 Termination because of medical, physical, mental or other incapacity
10.28 Termination because of inability of the minister
10.29 Inability of the congregation to meet its financial or other obligations to the minister
10.30 Reduction of the numbers of a congregation
10.31 Termination in the case of a fixed term ministry
10.32 Resignation from ministry of the Church
10.33 Alteration of this chapter

Chapter 11: Te Aka Puaho

11.1 Preamble
11.2 Introduction
11.3 Functions of Te Aka Puaho
11.4 Power to appoint committees
11.5 Responsibilities of ministers
11.6 Members of Te Aka Puaho
11.7 Associates of Te Aka Puaho
11.8 Meetings
11.9 Officials
11.10 Role and responsibilities of Moderator
11.11 The Secretary
11.12 Relation of Te Aka Puaho to presbyteries and the General Assembly
11.13 Membership of Pastorates
11.14 Te Komiti Takawaenga o Te Haahi
11.15 Procedure
11.16 Appeal
11.17 Ministry Training

Chapter 12: The Synod of Otago and Southland

12.1 Preamble
12.2 Jurisdiction over synod properties
12.3 Synod financial jurisdiction
12.4 Synod ecclesiastical and judicial functions
12.5 Appeal

Chapter 13: Pacific Islanders' Synod

13.1 Pacific Islanders’ Synod
13.2 Membership of Pacific Islanders’ Synod
13.3 Purposes of Pacific Islanders’ Synod
13.4 Constituent groups
13.5 Moderator
13.6 Synod clerk
13.7 Synod treasurer
13.8 Executive Committee
13.9 Meetings
13.10 Relationship with Church courts
13.11 Property and finance

Chapter 14: Meetings of Church in Assembly

14.1 Background
Purposes and functions of General Assembly
14.2 Primary purposes and functions of General Assembly
14.3 Powers of General Assembly
14.4 Duties of General Assembly in carrying out the mission of the Church
Composition and duties of General Assembly
14.5 Membership of General Assembly
14.6 Quorum
14.7 The legislative function of the General Assembly
14.8 Proposals for legislation
14.9 Special legislative procedure
14.10 The judicial function of the General Assembly
14.11 Powers and duties relating to administrative functions
Council of Assembly
14.12 Establishment and responsibilities of the Council of Assembly
14.13 Membership of Council of Assembly
Officers of Assembly
14.14 Election of the Moderator
14.15 Term of office of the Moderator
14.16 Duties of the Moderator
14.17 Powers of the Moderator
14.18 Assembly Executive Secretary and Clerk of Assembly
14.19 Powers and duties of the Clerk of Assembly
14.20 Delegation by Clerk of Assembly
References and appeals to Assembly
14.21 Delegation of judicial function
14.22 References by presbytery for advice or decision
14.23 Procedure for judicial action on appeal
14.24 General provisions for appeals and references
14.25 Advice to judicial body
Procedural matters
14.26 Procedures for appointments to General Assembly
14.27 Privileges of members of the General Assembly
14.28 Discipline during General Assembly meetings
14.29 Date, time and place of General Assembly meetings
Special and Emergency Assemblies
14.30 Special Assembly
14.31 Emergency Assembly
14.32 Alteration of this Chapter

Chapter 15: Discipline

15.1 Background
Who are Involved in disciplinary procedures
15.2 Grounds for the exercise of discipline
15.3 Who may be subject to discipline
15.4 Who exercises discipline
Complaint proceedings for exercise of discipline by assessors
Preliminary: Contact and support persons
15.5 Appointments for the disciplinary process
15.6 Appointment of officers by Council of Assembly to deal with complaints
Process for initiating complaints
15.7 Lodging of complaint
15.8 Appointment and procedures of assessors for particular complaints
15.9 Service of complaint and other documents
15.10 Response by respondent
15.11 Comment by complainant
15.12 Interim standing down from office or membership
15.13 Consideration of complaint
15.14 Determination of the complaint by assessors
15.15 Notification of decision of assessors
15.16 Assessors’ determination is final
Implementation of determination of assessors
Disciplinary commission
15.17 Appointment and membership of disciplinary commission
Powers
15.18 Powers of disciplinary commission
Procedures of disciplinary commission
15.19 Procedural entitlements of parties
15.20 Failure of respondent to appear
15.21 Evidence of criminal conviction
Hearing
15.22 Conduct of hearing
15.23 Record of Hearing
Process for hearing evidence
15.24 Examination of witnesses
15.25 Procedure if witness unable to attend hearing
Decision of disciplinary commission
15.26 Basis for decision
15.27 Orders that may be made by disciplinary commission
15.28 Promulgation of Decision
15.29 Name suppression
15.30 Record of complaint proceeding to be retained
Action to be taken after decision of disciplinary commission
15.31 Immediate implementation of decision
15.32 Decisions of disciplinary commissions binding
Appeal to Assembly Judicial Commission
15.33 Right of appeal
15.34 Time for lodging appeal
Process for conducting appeal
15.35 Appeal on the record of evidence
15.36 Leave to admit new evidence
15.37 Record of appeal
15.38 Determination of appeal
15.39 Orders that may be made by Assembly Judicial Commission
15.40 Promulgation of decision on appeal
15.41 Name suppression
Powers and duties of disciplinary commissions and Assembly Judicial Commission
15.42 Procedure if Censure Ordered
15.43 Costs
15.44 Expenses and allowances
15.45 Register
15.46 Alteration of this chapter

Chapter 16: Property and finance

16.1 Background
Property
16.2 Property to be held by trustees
16.3 Property responsibilities of a congregation
16.4 Property responsibilities of a presbytery
16.5 Appointment and functions of property committee
16.6 Property responsibilities of the General Assembly
16.7 Sale of property
Finance
16.8 Congregational funds
16.9 Stipend and allowances for ministry support
16.10 Presbytery funds
16.11 General Assembly funds
16.12 Appeals for funds
16.13 Alteration of this Chapter

Chapter 17: Commencement, savings and transitional provisions

17.1 Background
17.2 Commencement
17.3 Repeal
17.4 Transitional provisions regarding membership and associate membership
17.5 Transitional provision regarding congregations
17.6 Transitional provisions regarding church councils
17.7 Transitional provisions regarding ministry and eldership
17.8 Transitional provisions regarding presbytery
17.9 Transitional provision regarding training, ordination and commissioning for the ministry
17.10 Transitional provisions regarding ministry settlements
17.11 Transitional provision regarding Te Aka Puaho
17.12 Transitional provision regarding Pacific Islanders’ Synod
17.13 Transitional provisions regarding General Assembly
17.14 Transitional Provision Regarding Legislative Proposals
17.15 Transitional provisions regarding discipline
17.16 Transitional provisions regarding property and finance

Appendix 1: Defined terms

Appendix 1

Back to top ^

Print this page

Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand

2010 Book of Order

Latest News Items