Acknowledgement To Country We acknowledge The Barramattagal people of the Dharug nation as custodial owners of this land. Their lore is woven through every part of this country and their spirit still sings. We thank them for their care, and pay our respects to their elders past and present. 2
3. BUILT UPON THE ONE LORD JESUS CHRIST ….In Jesus Christ "God was reconciling the world to himself" (2 Corinthians 5:19 RSV )…. God in Christ has given to all people in the Church the Holy Spirit as a pledge and foretaste of that coming reconciliation and renewal which is the end in view for the whole creation.
The Church's call is to serve that end: to be a fellowship of reconciliation, a body within which the diverse gifts of its members are used for the building up of the whole, an instrument through which Christ may work and bear witness to himself.
How does each photo make you feel? 14
In the UCA we use collaborative methods… • Consensus decision making • Inter-conciliar organisational structure • We do ministry together • We share “power” Discussion : Name some of the differences between power ‘over’ and ‘with’ 15
Why? 16
Phew! Meeting over – now we can hold the real one in the car park! 17
How might reconciliation and renewal impact our relationships? How might it Influence our use of power?
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Ministers and Lay Leaders have POWER by virtue of their ROLE. Because of this POWER, a parishioner/ congregation is VULNERABLE A minister, lay leader or Church Councilor who consistently exercises their power “OVER” and not “WITH” another, has ABUSED his or her POWER. They have broken the Code of Ethics.
‘Leadership is a concept we often resist. It seems immodest... But if it is true that we are made for community, then leadership is everyone’s vocation… When we live in… community, everyone follows and everyone leads.’ Parker Palmer
The Uniting Church is governed by a series of inter-related councils, each of which has its set tasks and responsibilities in relation both to the Church and to the world.” Para 15 BoU
“ It is the task of every council to wait upon God’s word, and to obey God’s will in the matters allocated to its oversight.” Para 15 BoU
No council can tell another council what to do in its set tasks and responsibilities.
• Hear God’s Word • Celebrate the sacraments • Encourage one another in love • Share wider responsibilities of the Church • Serve the world
• Spiritual Oversight over congregation • Building the congregation in faith and love • Discerning the Spirit of God • Embodying the Spirit together • Engaging in Spiritual Leadership
• Hearing all voices • Discerning together • Listening to the Spirit • Maintaining Unity 31
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Proposal A The local Buddhist group want to hire the church hall for a meditation session twice a week. Proposal B All positions in church council to be declared vacant and new leaders equipped to transition the missional focus from… to ….
1. Why do think we use Consensus? 2. List the positives and the negatives? 3. How might Consensus reflect our commitment to reconciliation and renewal? 38
18. THE PEOPLE OF GOD ON THE WAY The Uniting Church affirms that it belongs to the people of God on the way to the promised end. The Uniting Church prays that, through the gift of the Spirit, God will constantly correct that which is erroneous in its life, will bring it into deeper unity with other Churches, and will use its worship, witness and service to God's eternal glory through Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen.
• Oversight of Congregations/Groups • Stimulate and encourage mission • Oversee placement of Ministers • Accountability responsibilities
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How well does your congregation communicate with Presbytery? Who are your Presbytery contacts? How often do you hear from your Presbytery Rep? 45
• Legal entity of the church – property • Inter-presbytery activities • Oversight of worship, witness and service • State-wide responsibilities • Discipline & complaints
Doctrine, worship, government & mission • Standards for theological education • Receives Ministers from other denominations • Catches all the left overs • Affiliates with ecumenical & other bodies • Provides for matters of doctrine, worship, • government and discipline.
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