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There has been really encouraging progress in reform. The Presbyteries Task Group has kept a low profile
since General Assembly 2008 approved the reform of presbyteries, giving space for presbyteries to implement
the model adopted by GA08 in a way that best fitted their context. We can now report that in three areas
significant movement has occurred, and in each there is the anticipation of a new presbytery operating in
the next 12 months. We applaud the hard work, the innovative planning, the positive leadership, and the
widespread grasping of a new vision.
Central North Island Area
Bay of Plenty, South Auckland, Waikato
The inauguration of the new "Kaimai Presbytery" is set for 12 September, 2009 at which the Moderator,
the Right Rev Dr Graham Redding, will officiate. The new presbytery will feature a three person moderatorial
team, a presbytery council, electronic communication and an enhanced, paid clerk's role ("administrator").
The full presbytery will meet twice per year for two-three days with a priority focus on mission equipping,
inspiration, and strategic planning. Resourcing groups will be established by the new presbytery.
South Auckland continues talks with presbyteries both to the south and the north.
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The Synod of Otago and Southland Area
Dunedin-North Otago, Central Otago, Clutha, Mataura, Southland
Detailed arrangements for the "NewPres" are now being clarified and the reform team is working towards a
transition to "NewPres" in early 2010. Presbyteries have been asked to nominate people for the establishment
committee of the "NewPres". There will be a moderator and clerk (perhaps using new names), a standing committee,
and advisory committees for particular areas of governance. The full presbytery will meet once per year with a
focus on policy decision making and mission input. Resourcing groups may initially be geographical. Those involved
in the process are becoming excited about the possibilities of the new structure. Communication of that enthusiasm
beyond the reform team remains a challenge.
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Upper South Island Area
South Canterbury, Ashburton, Christchurch, West Coast, Nelson-Marlborough
There is a strong vision in this large area to encourage spiritually healthy congregations.
The proposed structure for the new presbytery is for a moderators' team, a co-ordinating group
(entrusted with governance on behalf of the whole presbytery), e-communication, an employed
presbytery co-ordinator, and parish mission clusters. The full presbytery will meet once per year,
with seminars, key-note speakers, quality fellowship, inspiring worship, and key strategic decision-making.
Consultation continues, and the new presbytery will probably be trialled from mid-2010.
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In all these areas proposals remain fluid - open to new possibilities in the desire for a presbytery that
will make a difference in the life and mission of congregations.
Experience in some areas is showing that the greatest challenge facing new presbyteries is "inside our heads"
- changing the culture and default setting of presbyteries from handling administration to working with
a mission paradigm and actually resourcing parishes. It is no easy thing to let go the ethos, convictions,
expectations and practices of the past. The new presbyteries model agreed to by General Assembly 2008
charged everyone "to invest our best time and energy in what supports congregations in mission".
Ideas for culture change:
- Work hard with everyone to clarify the new vision for the reformed presbytery.
- Put people on Reform Teams that are free of the expectations and operations of current presbyteries.
- Constantly profile the need to move on and the mission potential of the new paradigm. Select key people
to be inspirational vision casters.
- Build in the new priorities - in structures, in job descriptions, in new names, and in the people nominated
for new positions.
Key leaders in each of the five areas for discussion of presbytery reform have recently created an email forum.
It will be a way of raising issues, exchanging possibilities and sharing creative ideas across the country in the
reform process.
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It's all going to cost us far too much?
Large geographical areas and long distances to travel?
Yes - it does sound a lot if you bring to the future the mindset of the past.
But what if:
- The one presbytery meeting per year was so valuable you would have been prepared to travel even further?
- The infrequent meeting of the key governance group and electronic communication meant there was actually
less travel and less cost.
- You came up with a totally new way of covering travel and other costs.
- Resourcing groups, gathering people of similar contexts, would also have some geographical limits.
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