PRESBYTERY POLICY REGARDING
EXTENSIONS OF PLACEMENTS
PRESBYTERY OF SYDNEY
(Note: this policy is in two parts)
1. Timing of the consultation about the extension
The Pastoral Relations Committee will clarify with the minister and congregation/congregations at the beginning of the 9th year of ordinary placement of the minister concerned as to whether there is any interest in an extension of the placement.
If the extension is for a second or further three year term, then the Pastoral Relations Committee will check with the Parish and Minister at the beginning of the second year of the present extension.
If the answer to the question about seeking an extension is Yes, then the consultation and decision on any recommendations to the Presbytery will take place at least 12 months before the end of the placement or current extension.
2. Relationship of the Report to Presbytery to the congregational/Parish Mission rationale seeking an extension.
The rationale provided by the congregation/congregations or Parish Mission to the Pastoral Relations Committee which outlines the reasons for seeking an extension will be published and a copy circulated to all Presbytery members for their information.
3. The Report of the Pastoral Relations Committee to the Presbytery about the extension
Wherever possible the actual wording of the report from the Pastoral Relations Committee to the Presbytery about the extension will be presented to the full meeting of the Pastoral Relations Committee for confirmation prior to the Presbytery meeting.
4. Presence of minister during the Presbytery discussion
If the Presbytery meeting allows discussions of the minister’s personality, character and fitness for ministry, then the minister is allowed to be present and given adequate notice in order to respond to the points made.
5. Procedure for discussion of the extension at the Presbytery.
When the Pastoral Relations Committee brings to the Presbytery its report and recommendations relating to the extension of a placement the following shall apply:
a) The matter shall be dealt with in closed session and in a manner that will avoid debate that may be unfair to the interests of the minister concerned.
b) The Chairperson of the Pastoral Relations Committee shall state their recommendations for the extension.
c) Questions may be asked and, unless such questions are deemed by the Presbytery Chairperson to be inappropriate, should be answered.
d) The Chairperson of the Pastoral Relations Committee shall be invited to make a statement.
e) Voting shall then be conducted by written secret ballot.
NOTE 1: The above parts 1- 5 were approved on 8 August 1998
NOTE 2: The following part (6) was received by the Presbytery meeting on 9 December 1998 (i.e, it was not adopted):
6. Statement on the relationship between parish and public ministry.
The PRC does not believe that it is possible to provide an objective assessment of the public ministry of the ministers within our Presbytery without clear guidance from the Presbytery as to the basis for such an assessment.
This would mean that the Presbytery would have to provide a comprehensive list of the criteria to be used in any assessment and a guide to the process that would need to be undertaken.
This would be necessary to ensure that a meaningful report was provided rather than a possible statement to the effect:
In the eyes of some people, the public ministry of this minister is not only perfectly acceptable, but essential and they hope that the church will encourage this type of leadership. On the other side are those who believe this ministry to not only be unhelpful, but contrary to their understanding of the gospel.
It should be pointed out that the PRC does not want to stop individual members from forming an opinion on the public ministry of a particular person, but it believes that it cannot be asked to provide a definitive and meaningful opinion on the public ministry of what are usually high profile and by their very nature controversial positions.
The P.R.C. would also like to draw the Presbytery’s attention to the definition of adherence to the Basis of Union provided in Paragraph 14: this is “understood as willingness to live and work within the faith and unity of the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church as that way is described in this Basis. Such adherence allows for difference of opinion in matters which do not enter into te substance of the faith.”
9 December 1998
Policy regarding extensions – Presbytery of Sydney
Presbytery of Sydney
Guidelines for Extensions of Placements Beyond the Tenth Year.
A. PARISH MISSIONS
1. The Presbytery notes that Parish Missions are so designated to (inter alia) make a case for the extension of ministerial placements beyond the normal maximum term when the proper exercise of special ministries so requires (Regulation 3.1.28c).
2. In seeking an extension for a Minister’s placement beyond ten years, the Parish Mission Church Council should outline the nature of the ministry for which the extension is sought.
3. The Parish Mission Church Council should then demonstrate to a consultation team appointed by the PRC the capacity of the relevant minister to successfully provide the leadership required in that area of ministry.
A. CONGREGATIONS
1. In seeking an extension of a ministerial placement beyond ten years it is incumbent on the Congregation, through its Church Council to demonstrate the particular need or needs of the Parish, as expressed in its mission planning goals, which require continuity of ministerial leadership in an existing placement beyond ten years.
2. The Church Council should also be able to demonstrate that the ministry is sufficiently distinctive so that the Congregation might reasonably expect difficulty in calling a minister with the required gifts and graces to succeed the Minister currently placed.
3. The Church Council should then demonstrate to a consultation team appointed by the PRC the capacity of the relevant minister to successfully provide the leadership required in that area of ministry.
C. PROCEDURE
1. The Presbytery advises Church Councils to form a committee of the Church Council to consider the request for an extension and for this committee to bring a report and proposal for discussion and ballot if necessary to a meeting of the Church Council.
2. The Presbytery Liaison Person shall attend any meeting of the Church Council or the Congregation called to deliberate upon or decide on a request for the extension of a placement.
3. Application to the Presbytery for an extension of placement beyond ten years shall be made through the PRC. Application may be made following a decision by the Church Council to support such an application and either before or after the matter has been considered by the Congregation.
4. The PRC advise the Presbytery of the request and the Presbytery shall appoint a consultation team to consider the application and provide a report to the PRC.
5. Following consideration of the report of the consultation team the PRC shall decide whether it supports the application and notify the Minister and Congregation accordingly. Should the PRC support the application it shall move the extension in the Presbytery. Should the PRC not support the application then if the Minister and the Congregation wish to place the matter for the Presbytery, it will be incumbent on them to do so with due notice having been given to the PRC and the Standing Committee.
Approved 11th June 1997. Revised: 26th August 2000. Latest revision: 25th May 2002
