That the Assembly refer proposal 37 to Church Polity with the request that, in consultation with Theology and Discipleship and a representative of the former Task Group on Church Structures, Church Polity:
(a) prepare a discussion paper on
(i) the role and ministry of elder/leader in the congregation;
(ii) the nature and role of the Church Council;
(iii) the relationship between the elders/leaders and the Church Council;
(b) invite responses to the discussion paper from presbyteries;
(c) bring a report, with recommendations, to the Tenth Assembly.

Rationale:
The issues raised by the Presbytery of The Downs are significant, and require a considered response, which is not possible at this Assembly. It is clear that it would be helpful if some careful work was done in regard to the theological, constitutional and practical issues identified by the presbytery.

However, it would be extremely unsettling to our congregations for this Assembly to again change the structures at the local level. Many congregations have put a huge amount of time and energy into the establishment of their new Church Council, and the initial anecdotal evidence confirms that in many places the Church Council has brought new life to congregations. In other places the election of a Church Council has brought much needed generational change in the leadership of congregations. Many congregations have used the opportunity to take a good look at the life and mission of their congregation and the structure of government which would best progress that life and mission. This is overwhelmingly good news, and for this Assembly to ask congregations to undertake another re-structure would run the risk of grassroots revolt.

It appears that whilst the transition to the new structures has been smooth in the majority of congregations, many have struggled with their understanding of the role and ministry of elder. This needs clarification. A discussion paper would be valuable if it can address the theology of eldership, offer to the church some examples of how elders have responded to the changes made by the Eighth Assembly, and the relationship of elders to the Church Council. The issuing of a discussion paper in, say, twelve months time, could be considered at a time when all congregations will have had experience of the structures determined by the Eighth Assembly. The Tenth Assembly could then make an informed decision on any recommendations.

The work of addressing these issues belongs with Church Polity, but because issues of doctrine are involved it is appropriate to involve Theology and Discipleship. The rationale of the former Task Group on Church Structures, and the history of the issues, would be provided by the inclusion of a member of the former Task Group.

70. REFERRAL OF PROPOSAL 37 (Presbytery of Central Queensland)

The Presbytery gives notice that if proposal 37 is fallen from, defeated, deferred or referred to Church Polity, it will propose as follows.

That the Assembly:

70.1 refer the matters raised in proposal 37 to Theology and Discipleship for consideration in the light of the Basis of Union and direct Theology and Discipleship to report its reflections to the Standing Committee within 12 months;

70.2 refer the matters raised in proposal 37 to the Legal Reference Committee, in the light of Clause 2 of the Constitution and direct the Legal Reference Committee to report its findings to the Standing Committee within 12 months.

Rationale:
A number of questions have been raised by the changes to church structures. This is particularly true in relation to the way they effect the role, and calling of elders and their place within the church council. We do not believe that these questions have been appropriately addressed since the implementation of the relevant changes in the regulations and constitution. Further, we are unsure whether the changes are consistent with the Basis of Union and clause two of the constitution. This presbytery believes that further work is required to establish the validity and theological integrity of the changes. It is felt that this work requires both a doctrinal and a legal review of the relevant sections of the constitution, and relevant regulations, in the light of the Basis of Union.

While we are happy for the Assembly to be presented with our proposal at the same time as proposal 37 from The Downs, we do not believe it should be offered as an alternative to proposal 37 since our proposal is dependent on the outcome of proposal 37. That is, we would prefer that the Assembly be made aware of the way in which the two proposals are related, and then the Assembly address proposal 37 with that information in mind.

71. SEXUALITY (Social Responsibility and Justice)

That the Assembly request the Standing Committee to set in place a process to assist the Church to come to a decision on the ordination of persons living in a same sex relationship.

Rationale:
The National Social Responsibility and Justice Committee has committed itself to a relationship of solidarity with the Uniting Network. UN is the network for gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender members of the Uniting Church and their families and friends. Uniting Network has asked SR&J to bring this resolution to the Assembly. This is the only resolution that the Network has asked us to bring.

The issue of ordination of persons living in same sex relationships is one which continues to be discussed within the Church. While the situation was raised in Uniting Sexuality and Faith for discussion in 1997, it is clear that the Uniting Church will need to engage in a period of discussion and education before a decision may be reached. It is clear however that this is not a matter that can be left in limbo. While it is recognised that at this point in time the Church is not ready to make a decision on this matter, there is an expectation that at some point in the future a formal decision may be made. In preparation for this decision, we believe that the Church needs to be committed to a process of education and discuss that would inform such a decision at some point in the future. We believe that the Assembly Standing Committee is the appropriate body to ensure that such a process is undertaken.

72. ORDINATION AND HOMOSEXUALITY (Benyamin Susilo and Sophia Ng Vaitkus)

That the Assembly determine:

72.1 that the traditional teaching of the Church remain unchanged until the Assembly decides to change it; this is because we believe that God has not given permission to make such a change;

72.2 that discussion of this matter be not taken further by the Assembly for a period of ten years; this is to enable the Church to devote its time and energy to its priority task, which is its Great Commission to proclaim the gospel;

72.3 that practising homosexual persons be accepted in love and supported as members of the Church, but not admitted to leadership positions; the church is called to care for people; this does not imply approval of specific life styles;

72.4 that only the President and General Secretary of the Uniting Church be empowered to make statements regarding the Uniting Church's standpoint, teaching and attitude on sexuality matters.

Rationale:
At the 5th Indonesian National Conference in Adelaide, 25-28 May 2000, representatives from every Indonesian congregation within the UCA, have discussed, considered and decided to put forward the above recommendations regarding the ordination of practicing homosexual persons in the UCA.

Learning from a past few years, the discussion on issue of homosexuality and the discussion around it have caused many people suffering and hurt. The issue was also considered endangering the harmony in the church. Many time and thoughts have been wasted.

Considering the fragile situation within the church at this moment, we see that the church is unable to reach the consensus about this matter. We hope that we can make better resolution in the future years. Therefore we think that we should postpone the discussion for at least 10 years.

When developing these recommendations we tried to understand the need of every individual. We therefore propose the recommendations above.

73. DIVERSITY OF THE CHURCH (Pam Kerr and Hollis Wilson)

That the Assembly:

73.1 note that:
(a) the Assembly has determining responsibility for matters of doctrine and discipline;
(b) the Assembly has not made a determination in the matter of the ordination of a person living in a committed same-gender sexual relationship;
(c) the church's processes require assessment of applicants for candidature and candidates for ordination on an individual basis;
(d) the church requires the placement of ministers in good standing to be based solely on the gifts of the minister and the requirements of the placement;
and

73.2 in order to maintain the diversity of the church, advise synods and presbyteries that while they are free to express their own viewpoints on issues of sexuality it is invalid for them to establish or maintain policies which prevent the consideration of applicants, candidates and placements on an individual basis.

Rationale:
Accepting that issues regarding committed same sex relationships and ordination were unresolved by the 8th Assembly in 1997 and remain unresolved, the purpose of this resolution is to preserve the current diversity within the life of the Church until the matter is resolved by the Assembly.

Whilst councils of the Church may express their viewpoints on these unresolved matters, it is matter of concern that some councils of the Church appear to have adopted policies which limit the diversity of viewpoint permitted within that council.

Until this matter is resolved we believe the current polity of the Church should be maintained. That is, that each individual applicant, ordinand or call of a minister should be considered on an individual basis.