Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand

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