313 Joint use of buildings

313.1 Introduction

Cooperative Ventures based on the joint use of buildings are initiated by members Partners in a particular locality who desire now to do together many of the things which in the past we have done separately (Act of Commitment). Action may be prompted by some practical necessity, such as the replacement of the buildings of one denomination in an established area, or the wise stewardship of resources in planning together development in new areas.

This type of agreement requires the Partners together with other like-minded groups to commit themselves to one another in the siting of buildings and their joint and separate use. Provision is made for some combined and some separate services of worship, separate ministries and pastoral oversight of each section of the congregation, a joint Christian education programme as far as possible and a combined administrative committee working in association with the regional courts of the Partners.

This type of agreement is not restricted to only the five Negotiating Partners.

Outline agreement

313.2 Background

(A brief statement of the history of events and convictions leading to the formation of the joint use scheme)

313.3 Purpose

(A statement of the stewardship, development, fellowship and mission purposes for which agreement is being entered into)

313.4 The parties

(The correct title of each participating parish e.g. the Billfold Parish, Methodist Church of New Zealand, The Billfold-Strong Parochial District, Diocese of Waikland, Billfold Presbyterian Parish, Presbytery of Watford or other groups entering into participation)

313.5 The name

(Of the joint use scheme)

313.6 The area

(Location, boundaries, etc.)

313.7 The congregations

(Name of each congregation covered by the agreement)

313.8 Definitions

a)    General definitions are to be found in 123 of Guide to Procedures

b)    The Joint Regional Committee is the ..............................

c)    The Common Provisions are the regulations governing all Cooperative Ventures as

approved and or amended from time to time by the supreme courts of the Partners party to  this  agreement.

The  Forum  of  Cooperative  publishes  these  Common Provisions Ventures and printed within Guide to Procedures in Cooperative Ventures.

Amendments are printed in the reports of the Forum.

313.9 Oversight

Relationships with regional and national Partners courts and their oversight of the joint use scheme are in accordance with the intent of the Common Provisions 223.

313.10 Worship

The public worship of God will be provided for in accordance the practices of the parties involved and with the intent of Common Provisions 231.

313.11 Joint local committee - membership

There shall be a committee called ........................... hereinafter called the committee, which.............................................................................. shall consist of

a) ... representatives, or their duly appointed proxies, two (or three) of who shall be

appointed by the vestry, two (or three) by the session, etc. (The total number shall

depend on the number of congregations involved in the agreement)

b)    One of the clergy from each participating congregation, ex?officio.

c)    The quorum shall be half of the total committee, provided that each church involved is represented.

d)    The committee shall elect its own chairperson, secretary and treasurer.

313.12 Joint local committee - functions

The committee shall be responsible for

a)    Life and work

i. Promoting mission of the church and deepening the spirit of unity.

ii Fixing the times of public worship.

iii. The oversight of any Christian education, including the appointment of superintendents, teachers and bible class or youth group leaders.

iv The oversight of any joint organisations and church activities.

v. Planning any joint future activities.

b)    Property and finance

i. General supervision of buildings including planning and carrying out erection, alterations and maintenance.

ii. Arranging annually for the regular use of the facilities at times suitable to the parties.

iii. Obtaining approval from the local Partners courts for all major financial activities.

iv. Controlling the expenditure of such funds that have been granted to it by the local Partners courts or from donations for the use of the buildings, and applying for additional grants when considered necessary.

v. Arranging for an annual report and financial statement of accounts to be prepared and presented after audit to the appropriate Partners courts of the parties, together with a budget for the forthcoming year.
 

The committee shall be responsible to the local Partners courts and shall refer to them matters of policy and principle.