214 The ministry of deacons and of self supporting appointments

214.1 Preamble

This section describes the way in which the Partners' normal procedures governing the selection, training and appointment of deacons and self-supporting ministers are applied in Cooperative Ventures.

These appointments in Cooperative Ventures are required, for the sake of cooperation, to accept the conditions of service set out in 212. See also Code of Ethics (219)

214.2 Background

Within the Methodist and Anglican Churches in New Zealand a number of variously designated self-supporting deacons, priests and presbyters have now been ordained. These are men and women who have felt a call to ministry, have followed the usual procedures of their respective partners for assessment and preparation for ministry and have been ordained by the church.

During the period of selection and preparation they have normally had the support of their local minister and congregation and upon ordination are invited to serve in that parish. Some are ordained on the understanding that their primary but not sole sphere of ministry will be in a non-parish setting. Their parish duties and responsibilities will be relatively few. Others may be ordained on the understanding that their ministry will be primarily exercised within the life of the local parish. Once ordained they may offer a ministry of word, sacrament and pastoral care and/or diaconal service within the limitations of the demands of their secular employment or domestic responsibilities. They are not paid a stipend by the church but receive appropriate expense allowances.

Originally it was intended that self-supporting ministers would not transfer from one parish to another but it is now clear that flexibility is needed in this aspect of their developing place in the life of the Partners.

With the extensive involvement of both the Anglican and Methodist Churches in Cooperative Ventures, several such deacons and ministers now serve in them and thus minister in some way to all members of all the Partners. The development and the diversity and opportunities it brings are clearly welcomed by the local Partners involved.

Most of the preparation for these ministries is done within a parish setting and during this period of training the local parish is well aware of their presence, shares in some of the training exercises and rejoices in the eventual ordination. It is at this point that the new presbyters or deacons become visible to the other Partners. This addition of ordained ministry sets in train processes by which the Partners include self-supporting ministers in their courts.

Partners will need to be clear that ministers or deacons so appointed are to be accounted as members or associates of dioceses, presbyteries and synods in the same way as stipendiary ministers in Cooperative Ventures.

Procedures

214.3 Initiative

The initiative for a candidacy or appointment may come from the parish council, minister, and regional court or from an applicant. The parish and regional courts/officers may, in the light of developing strategy, encourage particular people to offer for selection.

214.4 Strategy

Proposals to develop self-supporting ministries should be consistent with a Cooperative Venture's total strategy for ministry and mission.

214.5 Assessment

Those offering for selection and training will be assessed and trained according to the regulations of the church which they are a member.

Selection

214.6 Support

In selecting a candidate for training and service in a particular Cooperative Venture, the church will require within its normal procedures, full support in principle for the proposal that the candidate will train and later serve within the parish. This support must be forthcoming from

a) the parish council and minister

b) the JRC and

c) the regional church courts of the Partners.

Note: The expectation that a candidate will train and later serve within a specific context is a major consideration for the Methodist Church and most dioceses of the Anglican Church. Circumstances sometimes make this impossible.

214.7 Pre-training consultation

The JRC will appoint two representatives to consult with the parish council, ordained ministers and appointing church. The purposes of this consultation are

a) to ensure that this (additional) position will advance the unity and mission of the Cooperative Venture

b) to be satisfied that the parish, ministers and Partners would accept the candidacy and participate in the training of the applicant on the undertaking that on assurance of ordination they will offer appointment to the parish.

214.8 Report

The JRC will report the finding of this consultation to the Partners,

Appointment

214.9 Pre-ordination

All Partners conducting assessment for ordination will consult with the parish and parish minister(s) about the candidate's suitability.

214.10 Pre-ordination consultation

When a Partner decides to proceed to the ordination of a candidate it shall advise the JRC who shall again consult as in 214.7. The purposes of this consultation are

a) to discuss relationships within the ministry and the specific areas of ministry within the parish in which the appointee will function

b) to approve the length and other terms and conditions of appointment. The standard length of appointment and extension of appointment provision (See 212.5 and 212.7) do not apply

c) to ensure that the parish understands the degree of availability inherent in the appointment.
Note: Repeated appointments may be approved.

d) When a Partner wishes to appoint an already ordained self-supporting minister, it will as early as possible consult with other Partners through the JRC as in 214.6, 214.9.

214.11 Approval

The Forum does not need to approve but must be advised of all pending appointments.

214.12 Reviews of appointment

Six months before a term of appointment is due to conclude, the parish council shall request the appointing church to meet with representatives of the council to review the appointment.

The review will include discussions with the appointee, stipendiary minister and the parish council.

214.13 Reappointment

a) A recommendation for further appointment will be forwarded to the JRC, which shall seek the concurrence of the Partner churches.

b) Should there be any difficulty in reaching agreement on the reappointment, the question shall be referred to the JRC.

214.14 Termination

Normally, appointments will be terminated after giving three months notice.