That the Assembly:

21.1 acknowledge the difficulties being experienced by small rural congregations in sustaining their ministry, and affirm the need for them to be given encouragement, freedom and flexibility to initiate/negotiate arrangements with other denominations which meet the needs of local situations, and
21.2 as a matter of urgency establish a working group to be charged with the following tasks:
(a) initiating (or reviving) dialogue with other denominations at the highest level to explore ways in which Christian ministry might be more effectively provided in small rural centres, and
(b) encouraging synods and rural presbyteries to enthusiastically support and foster local initiatives to enhance Christian life and witness in rural communities.

Rationale:
The impact of declining populations in rural centres on church congregations needs no elaboration. Combined with the downward trend in church attendance generally, many rural centres no longer have resident clergy of any denomination. It is not realistic to expect the situation to improve in either the short or long term. There is a clear and urgent need for the Church to make every effort to ensure that as far as possible, some visible Christian presence is maintained in country centres. There is a sense of abandonment in many places - a perception that at State and National levels the Church doesn't care.

There is ample evidence that rural communities are suffering considerable hardship with marriage breakdown and suicide at relatively high levels. Local churches and clergy have contributed much to their communities, and they are disappearing at a time when pressures on people in the bush are increasing. The rural crisis receives some media attention with reports of conferences usually instigated by local government and attended by politicians concerned about the loss of rural votes. The Churches, collectively or individually, are rarely mentioned, and are apparently not seen as being significant agencies in the life of the community.

In the Presbytery of Swan (WA), which covers an area of over 200,000 sq kms, and includes rural and urban areas, there used to be 10 country parishes (representing 40 communities) each supporting full time ministry. There are now four, and in many centres there are no resident clergy of any denomination.

No doubt good work is being done in every synod in addressing this issue, but it does not appear to enjoy a high priority in the corporate life of the Church.

Communal arrangements with other denominations meet with mixed success, perhaps partly because local congregations are not receiving clear messages from their respective hierarchies that ecumenical initiatives are supported.

This proposal is not intended to undervalue the work already done in setting up patrols and other initiatives; it is hoped that it will not trigger a defensive reaction. What the proponents suggest is that there is room for a range of approaches - what works in one place may not be suitable for another. And imposed models may not be as successful as locally developed ideas.

In some communities a concept of rural chaplaincy might be feasible. Given encouragement from the heads of the various denominations it is conceivable that a centre which may have a hospital and/or a high school and where there is no resident clergy, could support a community chaplain. The churches have demonstrated a willingness to cooperate in providing chaplaincy to the armed services, to industry and to schools. It is reasonable to expect similar cooperation to help rural communities where no single denomination is able to provide paid ministry.

However it is not the purpose of this proposal to prescribe solutions. What we wish to achieve is for the Assembly to acknowledge that there is a crisis in rural ministry, and that congregations in country centres need support and encouragement to seek answers which might meet their own particular circumstances.