As the national church moves to supporting healthy congregations in new and different ways, the Assembly service team has been reorganised to better meet the church’s changing needs.
One of the most significant changes is the way mission resource support is now provided. General Assembly 2004 decided to replace the regional mission resource structure with a national mission enabler. John Daniel, who has been South Island’s mission resource co-director for many years, has moved into the new role.
Supporting the work of congregations across the country are other members of the mission team including Mo Mansill, co-director national youth ministry, the Rev Don Ikitoelagi, pacific island co-director and Paul Kim, Asian liaison offcer.
Fiona Stenhouse joins the Assembly team as human resource manager this month. With extensive experience in the human resource area, and a background as a lawyer, Fiona has responsibility for overseeing ministry support, disciplinary processes, and employment relations.
Developing a high performing finance team that is effcient and effective is the core priority for Andrew Jackson, assistant to AES (finance). Andrew leads the new-look finance team.
Jose Reader, communications manager, and Amanda Wells make up the communications team: they oversee the church’s website, manage media interest and produce sPanz and other Presbyterian publications.
Andrew Bell, global mission secretary, has picked up responsibility for maintaining relationships with key ecumenical partners here and overseas, while the School of Ministry and archives teams remain unchanged.
The reorganisation has also seen several people leave Assembly Offce. Assembly executive secretary the Rev Dr Kerry Enright paid tribute to those leaving, saying they made a great contribution.
“They worked extraordinarily hard and conscientiously. Their commitment to our church meant they went that second mile again and again,” he says.
More information about how services offered by the Assembly Service team are changing a result of the reorganisation will be available to parishes over the next two months.