Terms of Reference (as of August 2011)
MANDATE
Ministry Committee is responsible for the selection, pastoral care and oversight of candidates for the specified ministries and those undertaking Periods of Discernment
Ministry Committee is responsible for ensuring that presbytery undertakes its responsibilities under the regulations in relation to candidates for specified ministries.
RESPONSIBILITIES.
- The Ministry Committee is responsible for caring, mentoring, supporting and advising applicants and candidates for the ministries of the Word, Deacon and Pastor, from the time that the Committee receives their application until they are ordained/commissioned (or their application is rejected or their candidature is otherwise terminated).
- Ensures that all requirements of the Presbytery re the Uniting Church Regulations (and all Synod By-laws and procedures) are adhered to in the processing of applications for candidacy for the ministries of the Word, Deacon or Pastor or for ordination and recognition of persons in those ministries.
Relevant Uniting Church Regulations
2.2.5 As soon as possible following receipt of an application the Presbytery shall request a confidential report from the appropriate Minister and shall seek comment from the relevant Church Council and other referees, and shall then consider the application in accordance with the provisions set out hereunder.
2.2.6 The Presbytery or a designated committee of the Presbytery shall:
(a) receive the application together with the confidential report of the Minister and the comments of the Church Council;
(b) consider the references submitted by the nominated referees and by other persons as it sees fit;
(c) interview the applicant;
(d) conduct such other tests or call for such other information as it may require or as may be required by the selection panel; and
(e) prepare a report and recommendation to the selection panel.
2.2.7 In considering its report and recommendation under Regulation 2.2.6(e) the Presbytery or Presbytery committee shall satisfy itself regarding the matters mentioned in Regulation 2.2.2 or 2.2.3, and have regard, among other things, to:
(a) the nature of the services to be performed within the ministry for which application is
made;
(b) the present qualifications and apparent potential of the applicant;
(c) the spiritual maturity and motivations of the applicant; and
(d) the applicant’s personality and character.
A two-thirds majority of members present shall be required to commend the applicant to the
selection panel as suitable for candidature. Alternatively, the Presbytery may defer such
commendation or may reject the application.
2.2.8 Where the Presbytery resolves to commend the applicant to the selection panel, the
Presbytery shall forward to the selection panel its report and resolutions together with other
reports, references and information conveyed to it in accordance with Regulation 2.2.6.
2.2.25 (a) The Presbytery which commended the applicant who has been accepted as a candidate shall arrange for the pastoral care and oversight of the candidate in consultation with the faculty or theological college council.
(b) A candidate who has satisfactorily completed the prescribed course shall remain under the pastoral care and oversight of the Presbytery until the candidate is ordained or otherwise admitted to a specified form of service of the Church or resigns or has the candidature terminated as provided for under these Regulations or is transferred to the pastoral care and oversight of another Presbytery.
(c) When a Presbytery transfers a candidate or certificated candidate to the pastoral care and oversight of another Presbytery, it shall provide the latter Presbytery with a report on progress towards readiness for the ministry intended.
NOTE: Responsibility for commending a candidate to the selection panel is reserved with the whole of Sydney Presbytery meeting not with the Ministry Committee. The Ministry Committee is to inform the Executive Secretary when time is required for a candidate to considered by the Presbytery.
APPEAL
- when the Committee makes a decision under Responsibilities, any member of, or any body within, the Congregation affected by that decision may request that it be reviewed by a full meeting of the Presbytery provided that such request is made within thirty (30) days of the decision being notified to them in writing.
- where the Committee resolves to make a recommendation to the Presbytery it will give parties substantially affected by the recommendation at least fourteen (14) days notice of the recommendation prior to its consideration by a meeting of the Presbytery.
- Appeals in relations to Period of Discernments shall be addressed by Pastoral Relations Committee.
APPOINTMENT
- Membership with appropriate gifts and skills appropriate to the objectives of the Committee shall be appointed by the Presbytery, on a three year rotational basis
- More than half of the Committee shall be members of the Presbytery
- Appointed members of the committee shall retain membership for a maximum of nine consecutive years
- Presbytery Chairperson, Presbytery Secretary and Mission and Evangelism Resource Officer shall be ex-officio members of the Committee
- The Committee is to nominate its own chairperson annually, to be ratified by Standing Committee. The chairperson will be an ex-officio member of PRC
- Committee to comprise no less than six members
- Committee may invite additional members where appropriate but invited members to always be less in number than appointed members
- Presbytery Standing Committee has the right to remove a member of a Committee at any time
MEETINGS
- To be held no less than three times a year.
- Additional meetings may be convened by the Committee Chair according to need or if requested by two Committee members or the Chairperson of Presbytery
- Only Presbytery appointed members may vote
- Quorum shall be 50% of members plus one other member
- Minutes and Action Log to be prepared after every meeting
- Minutes to be presented to the next PRC after the Committee meeting
- Minutes to be available, on request to any member of Presbytery – subject to observance of any privacy or commercial interests
PROCESS FOR REVIEW
- Committee Terms of Reference to be reviewed annually by the Committee and then submitted to Presbytery Standing Committee for ratification
- Presbytery Standing Committee has the right to amend the Terms of Reference at any time
