- Contents
- Acknowledgements
- Preface
- Part 1 - Terms of Reference
- Part 2 - Common Provisions
- Section 1 - Ministry in Cooperative Ventures
- 211 The ministry of the whole people of God
- 212 The ministry of word, sacrament and pastoral oversight
- 213 Locally Provided Ministry
- 214 The ministry of deacons and of self supporting appointments
- 215 Authorised lay workers
- 216 Parish councillors
- 217 Collegiate appointments
- 218 Letter of appointment
- 219 Code of Ethics
- Section 2 - Parish life, order and mission
- Section 3 - Worship
- Section 4 - Financial matters
- Section 5 - Property resources
- Section 6 - Dissolution procedures
- Section 7 - Amendments
- Part 3 - Guideline agreements
- Part 4 - Guideline papers
- Part 5 - General information
- Part 6 - Checklists
- Index
Green Pages
212 The ministry of word, sacrament and pastoral oversight
212.1 Functions and duties
It is expected as the norm that congregations in each area will worship together and that the ordained minister(s) appointed will exercise the fullest possible ministry of word, sacrament and pastoral care.
a) In meeting particular sacramental, pastoral or constitutional needs of people it is the responsibility of the parish council in consultation with the minister to arrange with one minister appointed by the appropriate regional court to meet such needs or requirements. Should difficulty arise in meeting such needs, this will be reported to the appropriate Partner court, which shall in consultation with the minister and parish council make suitable arrangements.
b) Ordained ministers, in accordance with the rights conferred by the Partners, will take their place and play their part in the courts of the Partners.
212.2 Relationships
Ordained ministers continue in a primary relationship with their church, responsible to its courts and subject to its disciplines. Pastoral oversight of ministers is not diminished in any way by their relationships with other Partners. Ministers can expect from the officers of regional and national Partner courts encouragement, guidance and support and may be expected to account for the ministry as outlined in 212.1.
212.3 Accountability
The JRC on the basis of an agreed questionnaire will regularly review the total life and ministries of the parish. (See 413)
At the request of the parish council, ordained minister, regional court or bishop, the JRC will conduct a special visitation to consider matters of deep concern.
212.4 Appointment
Appointments are made only after the Forum has confirmed which Partner shall make the appointment. Appointments shall then be made according to the procedures of the appointing Partner and wherever possible after consultation with the parish council or its representatives, any continuing ministers and the other Partners.
212.5 Term
The initial term of appointment will be for not less than three and not more than eight years, five years being the normal minimum. This term will be agreed (before the appointment is accepted) between the parish or its representatives, ordained minister and the Partners. This term of appointment may be extended as in 212.7.
Within this term or any extension thereof, ministers may seek or accept another position only as allowed by their own church and with due regard for the needs of the parish. If an appointment is terminated under three years see 212.8.
The Methodist Conference (1985) has determined that initial appointments of Methodist ministers to Cooperative Ventures will normally be for a maximum of five years.
212.6 Induction
Ordained ministers shall be inducted according to the practice of the appointing church and representatives of other Partners will take part in the service. At the service of induction, ministers will receive a letter of appointment issued by the appointing church and signed by representatives of the Partners, the JRC and the parish. This letter will include the length of term agreed upon in 212.5. Copies of letter of appointment should be distributed as 218.1. For assistance in the preparation of induction services, see Guidelines for preparation of ecumenical services of induction available from the Forum of Cooperative Ventures, Wellington. The new minister shall have signed the Code of Ethics (see 219)
212.7 Extension of term
a) Length One extension of term, which together with the initial term completes a total
- not exceeding ten years, may be granted. (see also 424.3)
b) Procedure (See 424) Twelve months before an initial appointment ends, the minister's regional court* shall advise the JRC along with any request for an extension to be considered.
* In the case of an Anglican ordained minister, the bishop or his nominee will act.
In the case of the Associated Churches of Christ, the General Secretary.
c) On receipt of any such request, the JRC will appoint representatives to join with the regional court in conducting a review which should be completed not less than six months before the appointment is due to end.
212.8 Shortened term
Where ordained ministry is terminated within three years, the appointing church, after consultation with the parish council and the JRC, may elect to make a further appointment. Such further appointment to be in accordance with the normal terms of appointment, ie. three?eight years (normal minimum of five) with one extension up to a maximum term of ten years for that appointment.
212.9 Re-appointment
If it is agreed that an extension is to be recommended, the appointing church seeks the concurrence of the other Partners, renews the letter of appointment and extends the appointment accordingly.
212.10 Transition
When a regional court knows that its appointee will be terminating the appointment within the next 12 months, it shall request the JRC to initiate consultation with the parish council. The purpose of this consultation is to recommend to the Partners
a) the most suitable provisions for future ministry, eg. single, dual, part-time, full-time, etc.
b) the Partner to be requested to make a new appointment. Except in exceptional circumstances there will normally, but not necessarily, be a change of appointing church with each new appointment. Proportional, geographic and cultural factors will also be considered. Co-ministries or team ministries also call for flexibility.
c) Superannuation contributions shall continue as prescribed in clause 241.2 (b)
The JRC after consulting the parish council makes its recommendations on clause a) to the regional courts and on clause b) to the Forum.
212.11 Interim arrangements
a) Pastoral care
i) Team or co-ministries. Pastoral care and the conduct of worship remain the responsibility of continuing ministers.
ii) Single ministries. Responsibility for pastoral oversight and the provision for the conduct of worship remain with the court of the outgoing minister at least until the day the minister departs and until the Forum confirms the denomination of the new minister, whichever is the later.
b) New ministry
Procedures for searching for a new minister may begin as soon as necessary for the appointing church to ensure reasonable continuity of ministry. Ministers will be informed of the appointing church's requirements and will give every necessary facility. They will not be involved in or seek to influence the appointment of their successor (See 421.1)
Colleague ministers will be consulted in accordance with 217.2. The appointing church may at its discretion invite continuing ministers to participate further in the processes of selection.
212.12 Resignation
When a minister resigns from an appointment before a term is completed, the resignation process shall be that of the church which made the appointment. Wherever possible this will include consultation with the parish council or its representatives, the Partner courts, and the JRC.