INTERIM MANDATE

Standing Committee re the Review of Assembly Structures

1. REPORT TO EIGHTH ASSEMBLY 1997

1.1 The outgoing Standing Committee reported to the Eighth Assembly that a review of Assembly structures had been initiated, with terms of reference approved in March 1997. The report referred to four reasons for the review:

no review since 1985, with eight new permanent agencies established since that time;

recent clarification on the roles of church councils, including the Assembly;

reduction in financial support available to the Assembly;

the changing mission context facing the church in Australia.

The report to the Assembly noted that a review report, with recommendations, was to be brought to the incoming Standing Committee in August 1997.

2. STANDING COMMITTEE

DECISION-MAKING SINCE 1997

2.1 In August 1997 the review report was received by the Standing Committee. Few decisions were taken. A five-person Assembly Review Implementation Committee (ARIC) was appointed. Further consultation with Assembly agencies was put in train.

2.2 At Standing Committee meetings in December 1997, March 1998 and July 1998 ARIC brought reports and recommendations and many decisions were taken concerning policy-making processes within the Assembly, the agencies of the Assembly, relationships across agencies and staff, staffing levels and financial allocations.

2.3 Additional work relating to the review was commissioned in 1998, most notably on issues relating to the role of the Assembly Standing Committee. Decisions on these additional matters were taken during 1999.

2.4 New senior staff appointments were made by the Standing Committee in 1998, including the Associate General Secretary and National Directors of three new agencies (Theology and Discipleship, Uniting Education, Unity and International Mission).

2.5 The new structure came into being on 1 August 1998, although some new staff members did not commence until 1999.

2.6 The Beneficiary Fund, the Defence Force Chaplaincy Committee and the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress were excluded from the review. They continue to function as prior to 1998.

3. MAIN OUTCOMES OF THE REVIEW

3.1 The review has resulted in:

a more co-ordinated, flexible Assembly structure, focussing more clearly on the core functions of the Assembly - theological engage-ment, ecumenism, international relation-ships, remote areas ministry, Aboriginal and Islander ministry, national co-ordination;

firmer control of policy-making by the Assembly and the Standing Committee;

keenness to distinguish between policy and management, with staff given greater responsibility for policy implementation and for management of their agencies;

encouragement to executive staff to provide national vision and leadership in their areas, to the whole church;

lowering of "barriers" between agencies, with emphasis on all staff being part of the national team;

agencies to concentrate more than before on developing networks of people to contribute to the national life of the church;

agency reference committees are seen as advisory (not policy-making, nor management), to the Assembly, Standing Committee and executive officers (National Directors);

a new Management Advisory Group, consisting of senior staff, to advise the General Secretary (chief executive officer) on policy implementation, co-ordination and management matters;

relinquishing of some former national functions (eg. in local mission planning; some Christian education functions);

reduction in number of agencies (staffed agencies have reduced from 19 to 13; total number of agencies from 31 to 24);

as far as possible, Assembly budgets and accounts shall be unified; their number has reduced from 14 sets of accounts to 9;

financial stability for the three years of 1999-2001, enabling secure planning and staffing decisions.

3.2 Several new agencies have been created:

Theology and Discipleship incorporates most of the functions of the former Commissions on Doctrine and Liturgy and some of the functions of the former Commission for Mission and of National Mission and Evangelism; but more importantly, Theology and Discipleship upgrades the Assembly’s capacity to offer theological leadership to the whole church;

Unity and International Mission fulfils the functions of the former Commission for Christian Unity and the former International Relationships and Mission, on the understanding that what drives all our church-to-church relationships and our partnership projects, whether they be in Australia or overseas, is our commitment to mission and ecumenism;

Uniting Education incorporates the functions of the former Uniting Education and the former National Education Committee;

the Strategic Planning Unit takes over some of the functions of the former
Development Committee, but with a clear focus on providing leadership to the whole church for mid and long-term planning;

the Management Advisory Group has a major role in co-ordinating Assembly activities.

3.3 Many agencies continue virtually unchanged. These are Church Polity, Coolamon College, Covenanting, Frontier Services, the Historical Reference Committee, the Legal Reference Committee, the Ministerial Education Commission, Multicultural Ministry, National Finance, Reception of Ministers, Relations with Other Faiths, Social Responsibility and Justice, Uniting Church Adult Fellowships National Committee and UnitingCare Australia (formerly called Uniting Community Services Australia).

3.4 Several agencies have been disbanded. These are the Commissions for Christian Unity, Doctrine, Liturgy and Mission, the Development Committee, International Relationships and Mission, and National Mission and Evangelism. The Accounting Services Unit and the Assembly Communica-tions Unit became part of the Secretariat.

3.5 Attachments

Attachments 1 and 2 list the agencies of the Assembly. Attachment 3 consists of the interim mandates of all agencies. These mandates are regarded as interim until they have been received by the Ninth Assembly. Attachment 4 "Accountability Lines in the National Assembly" outlines the functions and relationships of national directors, other staff members, staff collegial teams, reference committees and chairpersons of reference committees.

3.6 A new position of Associate General Secretary has been created. The position description of the General Secretary was revised. These two position descriptions can be found in attachment 5.

3.7 Agency executive officers, where the position is staffed, have been designated as "National Director", in keeping with the understanding that the Assembly expects them to give vision and leadership in their area and to be the person responsible for managing the agency and its staff. Position descriptions of National Directors will be tabled at the Ninth Assembly.

3.8 As under the previous Assembly structure, the only staff member to be appointed by the triennial Assembly is the General Secretary. National Directors are appointed by the Standing Committee. The chairpersons of reference committees shall be elected by the Assembly, but in most cases the members of reference committees shall be elected by the Standing Committee at its first meeting after the triennial Assembly. See the interim mandates in attachment 3 for the details.

3.9 The new structure has been accommodated within the financial constraints facing the Assembly. In 1995 synods contributed $4,380,000 to the Assembly. In 1999 the figure was $3,899,600. This reduction has not been without pain – most notably in the retrenchments of several staff positions and in a diminished capacity for funding international mission projects.

4. CHALLENGE TO THE REVIEW

4.1 In the first months of 1998 the President received a challenge to the review from some people who had been members of the Joint Commission on Church Union. They took the view that the review process and some of the outcomes "run counter to principles central to the Basis of Union", and asked the President to convene a special meeting of the Assembly. Their concerns related chiefly to their perceptions that:

the Standing Committee was acting without mandate from the 1997 Assembly;

the powers of the triennial Assembly were to be diminished in favour of the powers of the Standing Committee;

the Standing Committee had not consulted sufficiently with synods and presbyteries on the proposed changes;

the proposed changes were a matter "vital to the life of the Church" as per constitution clause 39;

a "hierarchical bureaucracy" was being created in the Assembly.

4.2 The President took immediate legal and constitutional advice, met with the General Secretary and Ian Gillman (who had drafted the letter of concern), and arranged for a teleconference on 23 June 1998 between Assembly officers, four of the signatories and the chairperson of the Legal Reference Committee.

4.3 On 28 May 1998 the Presbytery of Nepean wrote to all presbyteries expressing similar concerns at the review and proposing that a special Assembly should be held. There was minimal response from other presbyteries.

4.4 The executive of the Commission for Christian Unity wrote to the Standing Committee on 17 June 1998 expressing concerns similar to those expressed in the letter of concern from the 12 signatories.

4.5 On 7 July 1998 a six-page letter was issued by the General Secretary to all synods, presbyteries and members of the Eighth Assembly giving full information about the processes of the review and the decisions taken to date.

4.6 All these communications and actions were considered by the Standing Committee at its meeting in July 1998, in which the chairperson of the Commission for Christian Unity participated. Following a full discussion, the Standing Committee carried nine resolutions. Among them were:

acknowledgement it would have been preferable if a fuller report could have been presented to the Eighth Assembly and if the Eighth Assembly had declared its support for the review;

the Standing Committee’s conclusion that neither a special meeting of the Assembly nor Constitution clause 39 procedures were warranted;

assurance that Assembly bodies which have "detailed responsibility for a core function of the Assembly" will be represented in meetings of the Assembly;

invitations to presbyteries and synod standing committees for Assembly personnel to meet with them to explain further about the review, as desired.

4.7 One of the misunderstandings about the review was the idea that Standing Committee was planning to restrict the right of agencies to report directly to the triennial Assembly, intending somehow to act as a filter between agencies and the Assembly. It needs to be noted that no such restriction was ever intended. Apart from agencies which do not have a direct reporting relationship with the Assembly [and there’s fewer of these than in the previous structure - now only the Management Advisory Group, the National Secretariat and Reception of Ministers], agencies report directly to the Assembly without any intrusion from the Standing Committee.

4.8 It appears that Standing Committee’s explanations and decisions and 18 months of experience in the new structure have given reassurance on most of the concerns expressed in 1998.

5. THE ASSEMBLY STANDING COMMITTEE

5.1 Within the new structure only the Assembly and its Standing Committee have the right to make national policies of the Uniting Church. Prior to 1998 some commissions exercised national policy-making roles, which occasionally led to difficulties in relationships with other agencies and the Standing Committee, and in communication with the church and the community. Accordingly the Standing Committee recognised that it needs to meet three times per year, as against the previous two.

5.2 The Standing Committee also realised that its role in the new structure raised a number of questions about its processes, its membership, its relationships with synods, presbyteries and congregations, and the need for orientation for its members. A task group with 17 terms of reference was established in July 1998.

5.3 The task group’s report was considered in November 1999. Standing Committee accepted its recommendations which provide for:

no changes to the Standing Committee’s membership,

the issuing of a general statement about the procedures of the Standing Committee to the church,

comments to Assembly members to assist them as they consider nominations and election of Standing Committee members, and

a new orientation program for Standing Committee members.

5.4 The Associate General Secretary and the National Director, Theology and Discipleship, participate in meetings of the Standing Committee with the same responsibilities and rights as Synod Secretaries. A proposal before this Assembly for amendment of Regulation 3.6.27 provides for their continuing participation.

5.5 Additional comment was sought by Standing Committee about its role, powers and responsibilities from the Church Polity and Legal reference committees. Following consideration of their responses, Standing Committee took two further decisions:

while noting the advice of the Legal Reference Committee about the broad powers, responsibilities and discretionary role of Standing Committee, to determine that Standing Committee should act with due restraint in the way it exercises its responsibilities, particularly considering whether Standing Committee is the appropriate body to make such decisions, whether it is the appropriate time to make such decisions and to what extent there should be consultation with other councils of the church;

to report to the triennial Assembly a full listing of unfinished business which it anticipates should continue on the agenda of the incoming Standing Committee, with a recommendation that the Assembly refers these matters to the incoming Standing Committee.

6. LEARNINGS FROM THE REVIEW

6.1 In July 1998 the Standing Committee decided it needed to reflect on the process of the review and see what should be learnt for the future. A task group brought a six-page report to a later meeting of the Standing Committee.

6.2 The chief comments from this reflection relate to:

the need for open communication with the church, not only on any future review of structures but on most issues facing the Assembly;

the qualifications and experience needed in any outside consultant appointed to assist with national tasks;

better planning beforehand is needed on major projects of this kind, including a fuller listing of what should and should not be covered in the considerations and outcomes of the project, and a more detailed implementation plan;

advance planning needs to ensure adequate pastoral care for those who are likely to be most affected by the project;

the difficulty in finding the right balance between taking time in decision-making (to allow for consultation, to ensure all factors are taken into account) and making decisions as quickly as possible (to avoid protracted disruption to agencies, to ensure staff are left in uncertainty about their future for minimum time);

undertaking the review at a time when there was considerable tension in the church over sexuality compounded the tensions and uncertainties;

implementation of the new structure at the same time as the Sydney office was relocating had both advantages and disadvantages.

6.3 In 1999 and early 2000 Standing Committee reflected on its learnings from the review process. It was noted that the review of structures was probably undertaken 3 or 4 years later than was needed. The flexibility in the new structure will enable changes to be made by the Assembly or the Standing Committee from time to time, more readily than in the previous structure. Nevertheless, Standing Committee believes there will be need every 3-5 years for a broader consideration of how well the structure is serving the church’s needs, but without having to resort to the major review processes of 1997-1998.

7. FUNCTIONING OF THE NEW STRUCTURE TO DATE

7.1 Standing Committee is pleased to report that the new structure, although it is still early days, appears to be working well. In particular the growing sense of collegiality among the senior staff, and the capacity to make adjustments to the relationships and activities of agencies and staff, look to be very helpful changes from the former structure.

7.2 Of course there are still plenty of pressure points within the Assembly structure. Unity and International Mission has had to cope with a merging of functions from two former agencies, with a substantial reduction in funding, and with crises for our partner churches in East Timor and Indonesia. Theology and Discipleship has big responsibilities and a large task in co-ordination. The church’s expectations of the Assembly and Assembly agencies have not diminished in line with the reduced funding.

7.3 An early test for the flexibility of the new structure is the future of Gospel and Gender. In 1999 Gospel and Gender advised Standing Committee that it could not continue to function as previously with the reducing (in real terms) level of funding. It was noted that Gospel and Gender is the only agency with a sole part-time staff member; all other agencies are either non-staffed or have at least one full-time staff member. For 2000 short-term decisions have been taken to enable ongoing functioning with a two days per week National Director, and a process of review was put in place. The Standing Committee expects to make decisions on the future of Gospel and Gender in time for a brief supplementary report to the Assembly within the third mailing to Assembly members, due out in late June 2000.

Gregor Henderson

General Secretary

Attachments:

1 & 2 Listing of Assembly agencies

3 Interim mandates of Assembly agencies

4 "Accountability Lines in the National Assembly"

5 Position descriptions of General Secretary and Associate General Secretary

ATTACHMENT 1

ATTACHMENT 2

AGENCIES OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

AGENCY LOCATION STAFFED? IF UNSTAFFED,

SERVICED BY

Beneficiary Fund Melbourne Executive Director and others

Church Polity Melbourne No Members

Coolamon College Brisbane National Director and others

Covenanting Melbourne National Director

Defence Force Chaplaincy Horsham No Members

Frontier Services Sydney National Director and others

Gospel and Gender Brisbane National Director (part-time)

Historical Sydney Archivist (honorary)

Legal Sydney No National Secretariat

Ministerial Education Melbourne No Members

Commission

Multicultural Ministry Sydney National Director

National Finance Sydney Not directly National Secretariat

National Secretariat Sydney General Secretary and others

Reception of Ministers Melbourne No Members

Relations with Other Faiths Sydney No National Secretariat

Social Responsibility Sydney National Director and one other

and Justice

Strategic Planning Unit Sydney No National Secretariat

Theology and Discipleship Sydney National Director and others

UAICC Townsville National Administrator and others

UC Adult Fellowships Perth No Members

National Committee

Uniting Care Australia Canberra National Director and others

UC Overseas Aid Sydney UIM National Director and others

Uniting Education Melbourne National Director and others

Unity and International Sydney National Director and others

Mission

March 2000

ATTACHMENT 3

INTERIM MANDATES

[Note: two national agencies have no mandates to be approved, because their functions are specifically covered in the Regulations: the Beneficiary Fund and the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress; the mandates of all other agencies are detailed below.]

CHURCH POLITY

Responsible to: The Assembly

Reporting The Assembly and the Standing Committee

arrangements:

Mission Statement: To advise the Assembly, the Standing Committee and the General Secretary on the polity of the church, in light of the Basis of Union, the Constitution and the Regulations.

Mandate: 1. To provide advice on matters of policy at the request of the Assembly, the Standing Committee or the General Secretary.

2. To initiate with the General Secretary, the Standing Committee or the Assembly consideration of issues and concerns relating to the polity of the church.

3. To assist other Assembly agencies (eg. Theology and Discipleship, Legal Reference Committee, National Secretariat) with advice on matters concerning the polity of the church.

4. To assist with the drafting of amendments to the Constitution and the Regulations, as requested by the Assembly, the Standing Committee, the Legal Reference Committee or the General Secretary.

Power to appoint: The Reference Committee has power to appoint working groups to operate within this mandate.

Membership of the

Reference Committee:

Chairperson, appointed by the Assembly.

Five to nine persons appointed by the Standing Committee, following receipt of nominations from the Reference Committee.

Chairperson and attending members to be resident within the Synod of Victoria.

One corresponding member from each of the other six synods, appointed by the Standing Committee.

COOLAMON COLLEGE

Responsible to: The Assembly

Reporting

arrangements: The Assembly and the Standing Committee.

Mission Statement: To provide theological education in distance mode to members of the Church and others so that they may increase their knowledge and understanding of the Christian faith, deepen their spirituality and enhance their competence in ministry.

Mandate:

1. To make accessible quality theological education to adults who otherwise do not have the opportunity to participate.

2. To achieve the highest standard of innovation and excellence in distance teaching.

3. To provide courses at affordable prices.

4. To provide an efficient administrative support system to ensure prompt responses to inquiries, the careful and rapid marking of assignments and the accurate keeping of records. An efficient system of responsible financial management will be maintained.

5. To continually review and upgrade modes of delivery with a view to promoting approaches that take full advantage of developments in information technology.

6. To co-operate actively with Theological Colleges and Adult Christian Education Agencies in a mutually supportive manner to achieve common goals.

7. To foster the development of a collectively critical, reflective and self-evaluating educational community.

8. To foster the development of open trusting and personally enriching relationships among all persons involved in the College. Students, employees and volunteers will be treated with dignity and fairness, and will be encouraged to use their knowledge and skills to develop further the aims of the program and the growth of the people participating in it.

General: The responsibilities include:

focusing the activities of the agency on the vision of the Assembly as a whole;

advising the Assembly andlor the Standing Committee on policy matters within their area of responsibility;

making policy decisions where the Assembly or the Standing Committee has delegated authority for certain policy areas, either through the agency mandate or by resolution;

assisting the National Director and any other agency staff in the implementation of policies determined by the Assembly and/or the Standing Committee;

ensuring that appropriate pastoral support is offered to agency staff members;

participating in cross-agency projects and teams established by the Assembly.

Power to appoint:

To establish working groups for special tasks related specifically to the mandate.

To make recommendations to the Standing Committee to establish other working groups for special tasks related to but not part of the mandate.

Membership of the

Reference Committee:

Chairperson (appointed by the Assembly);

National Director;

twelve persons appointed by the Standing Committee:

five persons nominated by the Queensland Ministerial Education Board;

one person nominated by the Ministerial Education Board of each synod other than Queensland;

Principal of the Trinity Theological College or his or her alternate;

National Director, Uniting Education, or his/her nominee;

the Convenor of each working group appointed by the Reference Committee;

power to co-opt up to two additional persons to ensure appropriate competencies, representation and development of new leadership.

COVENANTING

Responsible to: The Assembly

Reporting

arrangements: The Assembly and the Standing Committee

Mission statement: To provide national leadership to the Church in the covenanting relationship between the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress and the rest of the Uniting Church; this was expressed in the UAICC’s invitation to a covenant relationship in 1988 and in the covenant statement and response at the 1994 Assembly; and to resource congregations, presbyteries, synods, the UAICC and the Assembly in further developing the covenanting relationship.

Mandate: 1. To advise the Assembly, the Standing Committee and the UAICC on the expression and development of the covenanting relationship throughout the church.

2. To encourage the church to reflect on the question of what it means to live as one family in Jesus Christ and to develop appropriate respectful relationships in response, noting that the history of our peoples since 1788 has been marred by violence and racist oppression resulting in the marginalization of the indigenous people in their own land.

3. To assist in the development of covenanting resources for congregations.

4. To assist the church in its support for meeting the needs and aspirations of the Aboriginal and Islander community, especially in seeking justice for Aboriginal people.

5. To monitor the National Reconciliation Process and the initiatives of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation, in order to assist the participation of the church in national reconciliation.

General: The responsibilities include:

focusing the activities of the agency on the vision of the Assembly as a whole;

advising the Assembly and/or the Standing Committee on policy matters within their area of responsibility;

making policy decisions where the Assembly or the Standing Committee has delegated authority for certain policy areas, either through the agency mandate or by resolution;

assisting the National Director and any other agency staff in the implementation of policies determined by the Assembly and/or the Standing Committee;

ensuring that appropriate pastoral support is offered to agency staff members;

participating in cross-agency projects and teams established by the Assembly.

Membership:

National Administrator of the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (co-chairperson);

General Secretary of the Assembly (co-chairperson);

three representatives of the UAICC, appointed by the UAICC;

three non-Aboriginal representatives of the Assembly, appointed by the Standing Committee;

the National Director, Covenanting is a member of the committee, without vote.

DEFENCE FORCE CHAPLAINCY

Responsible to: The Assembly

Reporting

arrangements: The Assembly and the Standing Committee

Mission statement: To advise the Assembly on matters concerning defence force chaplaincy, and to act on behalf of the Uniting Church in relation to defence force chaplaincy in accord with Assembly policy.

Mandate: 1. To advise and support the Uniting Church member of the Religious Advisory Committee to the Services (RACS).

2. In consultation with synods, to approve the placement of Uniting Church ministers as defence force chaplains, and to determine on behalf of the Assembly which chaplaincy positions are regarded as approved placements within the Assembly.

3. As requested by the Uniting Church member of the Religious Advisory Committee to the Services or by the General Secretary, to liaise with the Department of Defence and with representatives of other churches and other faiths on matters related to defence force chaplaincy.

4. To ensure the provision of pastoral care for defence force chaplains, their spouses and families.

5. To consult with and work with Synod bodies relating to defence force chaplaincy concerning the work and welfare of defence force chaplains.

Power to appoint: The Reference Committee has power to appoint working groups to operate within this mandate.

Membership of the

Reference Committee: Convener: the Uniting Church member of the Religious Advisory Committee to the Services, appointed by the Assembly following receipt of a nomination from the Reference Committee.

Up to 14 persons appointed by the Standing Committee, to be located within a Synod as determined by the Standing Committee (normally the Synod of residence of the chairperson).

Corresponding members: chairpersons/conveners of Synod bodies related to defence force chaplaincy.

FRONTIER SERVICES

Responsible to: The Assembly

Reporting

arrangements: The Assembly and the Standing Committee

Mission Statement: To serve and celebrate life in remote areas of Australia through quality service and relationships which seek to reflect the life of Christ.

Mandate: 1. To support synods, presbyteries and the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress in developing, staffing and equipping the Church for ministry and mission in remote areas of Australia, particularly through the provision of a broad range of human services;

2. To enable the Uniting Church in Australia to consider how life within remote Australia shapes understanding and articulation of the gospel of Jesus Christ;

3. To act, within its own life and through the ministries and services it provides, to promote reconciliation between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people in remote areas of Australia;

4. To identify need and where necessary propose new national services, consulting with synods, presbyteries and the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress about them and their implementation and identifying and negotiating appropriate funding sources;

5. In co-operation with other Assembly agencies, to address issues of social justice which arise within remote areas;

6. To develop ecumenical relationships, pastoral planning and co-operative action with other Christian communions working in remote areas;

7. To raise funds within and outside the Uniting Church for the work of Frontier Services beyond that raised by the Assembly budget allocation;

8. To develop and provide to the Assembly Standing Committee appropriate policy recommendations and guidelines for the Uniting Church Frontier Services.

General: The responsibilities include:

focusing the activities of the agency on the vision of the Assembly as a whole;

advising the Assembly and/or the Standing Committee on policy matters within their area of responsibility;

making policy decisions where the Assembly or the Standing Committee has delegated authority for certain policy areas, either through the agency mandate or by resolution;

assisting the National Director and any other agency staff in the implementation of policies determined by the Assembly and/or the Standing Committee;

ensuring that appropriate pastoral support is offered to agency staff members;

participating in cross-agency projects and teams established by the Assembly.

Power to appoint: · To establish working groups for special tasks related specifically to the mandate, including Finance and Executive.

· To make recommendations to the Standing Committee to establish other working groups for special tasks related to but not part of the mandate.

Membership of the

Reference Committee:

Chairperson (appointed by Assembly);

National Director;

fourteen persons appointed by the Standing Committee, with the competencies, knowledge and gifts appropriate to the major areas of expertise required by Frontier Services. One half of the membership of the Frontier Services Reference Committee shall be Aboriginal representatives who shall be nominated by the UAICC;

Reference Committee membership shall contain at least one person from each Synod;

power to co-opt up to two additional persons to ensure appropriate competencies, representation and development of new leadership;

membership of the Reference Committee may be held for up to three consecutive three-year terms. To preserve continuity and promote change, at the appointment of the Reference Committee in 2000, one third of the new members shall be appointed for three terms, one third for two terms and one third for one term.

GOSPEL AND GENDER
An Agency of the Assembly promoting just relationship amongst women and men

Responsible to: The Assembly

Reporting

arrangements: The Assembly and Standing Committee

Mission Statement: To assist the Uniting Church in Australia to be a church that fully and visibly affirms that male and female are created in the image of God. To this end the agency will facilitate the Church’s understanding of the theology of the gospel that calls the Church to mutuality of respect, affirmation and appreciation.

Mandate: 1. To claim a voice for gender issues in the UCA by identifying and naming issues in areas of the Church’s life and the wider community which affect women and/or which involve relationships between women and men and which require a response from the church.

2. To assist the church to act more justly in relation to the mutuality of women and men in its missional, liturgical, educational and organisational life by acting as a resource and providing resources and programs for groups and individuals in Assembly agencies, synods, presbyteries, parishes and congregations and other networks.

3. To reclaim and promote the full participation of all women in the whole life of the church and to encourage men to seek mutual community within the life of the Church.

4. To seek and applaud signs of mutuality between women and men in the Church and the wider community.

5. To celebrate and model the diversity of membership within the church.

6. To foster such study as may be required to enable the Church to determine the bearing of the gospel upon these issues as well as promoting the place and use of feminist scholarship in the life of the Church.

7. To ensure that available resources are used to encourage a healthy and lasting change in attitudes and behaviour that will remove barriers to the Church being made whole.

General: The responsibilities of every agency include:

focusing the activities of the agency on the vision of the Assembly as a whole;

advising the Assembly and/or the Standing Committee on policy matters within their area of responsibility;

making policy decisions where the Assembly or the Standing Committee has delegated authority for certain policy areas, either through the agency mandate or by resolution;

assisting the National Director and the staff of the agency in the implementation of policies determined by the Assembly and/or the Standing Committee;

ensuring that appropriate pastoral support is offered to agency staff members;

participating in cross-agency projects and teams established from time to time by the Assembly or the Standing Committee.

Power to appoint:

To establish working groups for special tasks related specifically to the mandate.

To make recommendations to the Standing Committee to establish other working groups for special tasks related to but not part of the mandate.

Membership of the

Reference Committee: Total membership of 17 – 19 persons.

Chairperson (a woman from New South Wales, appointed by the Assembly);

National Director, Gospel and Gender;

Thirteen members appointed by the Standing Committee:

five members from New South Wales Synod on the nomination of the Synod (two women and three men) who with the Chairperson and the National Director will act as an Executive Committee (Executive will be based in Sydney at least until the Ninth Assembly);

one member from each of the other six synods on the nomination of the synods, all being women at least till the Ninth Assembly;

two men nominated by the Reference Committee;

at least one of the women appointed from New South Wales Synod and one from any of the other synods shall be under 30 years at the time of appointment;

two women appointed by the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress;

power to co-opt up to two additional persons to ensure appropriate competencies, representation and development of new leadership.

HISTORICAL

Responsible to: The Assembly

Reporting

arrangements: The Assembly and the Standing Committee.

Mission Statement: To advise the Assembly and the Standing Committee on historical and archival matters of significance to the Church.

Mandate: 1. To oversee the care and collection of all records of the Assembly and Assembly Agencies;

2. To co-ordinate the cataloguing of Assembly archival material;

3. To circulate advice throughout the Church on appropriate methods of keeping records, in the light of modern archival techniques;

4. To negotiate terms of access, care and preservation of Assembly and Assembly agency records and any approved repositories;

5. To consult with Synods:

on the designation of buildings and sites of national importance to the Church, and advise on relationships with conservation bodies;

on the collection, maintenance and cataloguing of records;

on the appropriate policies regarding matters of historical importance;

6. To foster interest in the Church's heritage, and encourage research and publication on the history of the Uniting Church in Australia and its parent churches;

7. To draw attention to significant dates, events and people in the history of the Church and its parent churches, so that appropriate resources can be provided;

8. To negotiate with government bodies on the funding of historical activities and conservation.

General: The responsibilities include:

focusing the activities of the agency on the vision of the Assembly as a whole;

advising the Assembly and/or the Standing Committee on policy matters within their area of responsibility;

making policy decisions where the Assembly or the Standing Committee has delegated authority for certain policy areas, either through the agency mandate or by resolution;

assisting the Assembly Archivist and any other agency staff in the implementation of policies determined by the Assembly and/or the Standing Committee;

ensuring that appropriate pastoral support is offered to agency staff members;

participating in cross-agency projects and teams established by the Assembly.

Power to appoint:

To establish working groups for special tasks related specifically to the mandate.

To make recommendations to the Standing Committee to establish other working groups for special tasks related to but not part of the mandate.

Membership of the

Reference Committee:

Chairperson, from the New South Wales Synod area (appointed by the Assembly);

the appointed archivist of each Synod or another person appointed by the Synod;

five persons from the New South Wales Synod area, of whom one will be designated as Assembly archivist, appointed by Standing Committee; these five persons and the chairperson comprise the Executive of the Reference Group;

power to co-opt up to two additional persons to ensure appropriate competencies, representation and development of new leadership.

LEGAL

Responsible to: The Assembly

Reporting

arrangements: The Assembly and the Standing Committee

Mission Statement: To provide advice to the Church, especially the Assembly, on legal and constitutional matters, including the Regulations.

Mandate: 1. To advise the Assembly and its officers and agencies in legal and constitutional matters.

2. To assist the Assembly in matters of drafting, checking and interpretation of legal aspects of documents;

3. To recommend to the Assembly and the Standing Committee the wording of amendments to the Constitution and the Regulations.

4. To advise other Councils of the Church, when requested by the General Secretary, on matters relating to the Constitution and the Regulations.

5. To advise the President on requests for Presidential Rulings.

General: The responsibilities include:

focusing the activities of the agency on the vision of the Assembly as a whole;

advising the Assembly and/or the Standing Committee on policy matters within their area of responsibility;

making policy decisions where the Assembly or the Standing Committee has delegated authority for certain policy areas, either through the agency mandate or by resolution;

assisting the General Secretary and any other Secretariat staff in the implementation of policies determined by the Assembly and/or the Standing Committee;

ensuring that appropriate pastoral support is offered to agency staff members;

participating in cross-agency projects and teams established by the Assembly.

Power to appoint:

To establish working groups for special tasks related specifically to the mandate.

To make recommendations to the Standing Committee to establish other working groups for special tasks related to but not part of the mandate.

Membership of the

Reference Committee:

Chairperson (appointed by the Assembly);

up to six persons appointed by the Standing Committee;

power to co-opt up to two additional persons to ensure appropriate competencies, representation and development of new leadership.

MANAGEMENT ADVISORY GROUP

Responsible to: General Secretary

Mission Statement: The Management Advisory Group advises the General Secretary on the implementation of policy decisions taken by the Assembly and the Standing Committee, and assists the General Secretary in maintaining an overview of the management of Assembly activities and in ensuring co-ordination of Assembly activities.

Mandate: To advise the General Secretary in these areas:

Focussing the vision of the Assembly as a whole, and taking initiatives to enhance the Assembly’s vision and the functioning of the Assembly in accord with that vision.

Ensuring, in consultation with agency committees and staff, that policy decisions taken by the Assembly and the Standing Committee are implemented.

Consulting with agency committees and staff on matters of relationships and management.

Arranging for multidisciplinary staff teams to work together on the implementation of policy decisions taken by the Assembly or the Standing Committee.

Arranging for consultations of wider groups of Assembly staff for purposes such as co-ordination and long-term planning.

Making recommendations to the National Finance Committee on annual budgets.

Within the approved budgets, deploying funds and staff time to ensure implementation of policy decisions.

Ensuring that appropriate consultation takes place between Assembly agencies and other councils of the Church.

Power to appoint: Cross agency working groups from time to time for the co-ordination of Assembly activities.

Membership: The General Secretary, the Associate General Secretary, and four other staff members appointed by the General Secretary annually. At least one member shall be from outside the Sydney office.

MINISTERIAL EDUCATION COMMISSION

Responsible to: The Assembly

Reporting

arrangements: The Assembly and the Standing Committee

Mission statement: To fulfil the Assembly’s responsibilities in ministerial education, as stated in Constitution clause 38(a) and Regulation 2.2.18.

Mandate: 1. to recommend to the Assembly the colleges to be recognised by the Church

(Regulation 2.2.18) as approved centres for training for ministry;

2. to recommend to the Assembly the pre-requisites for admission to candidature and the standards of ministerial education to be required of a candidate to qualify for recognition as a Minister or Youth Worker, including the requirements for completion of the period of discernment;

3. to prescribe the areas of study and the minimum requirements within each area which shall comprise an acceptable course of study for the various ministries of the Church, including the requirements of the licensed year;

4. to receive annually for review from the faculty of each recognised theological college a report on ways in which the prescriptions specified under (c) are being met;

5. to maintain a roll of candidates;

6. to set standards for qualifying examinations where appropriate for applicants seeking acceptance as candidates for specified ministries and to arrange for the administration of such examinations;

7. to prescribe the conditions under which a candidate qualifies for ordination and/or recognition and to issue a certificate of satisfactory completion of studies in respect of each candidate on receipt of advice from the faculty concerned that all requirements of the course have been satisfactorily met;

8. to encourage the several theological colleges to participate in ecumenical theological education so long as direct responsibility for each candidate is maintained and all regulations of the Commission adhered to;

9. to arrange regular consultations of staff of the several theological colleges as may be appropriate;

10. to recommend to the Assembly guidelines whereby Ministers and Youth Workers shall fulfil the requirement for three to five year continuing education agreements with their Presbytery or other appointing body;

11. to receive reports on ministerial education from the Synods and to report to the Assembly;

12. to do such other things as may be required of it by the Assembly.

General: The responsibilities of every agency include:

focusing the activities of the agency on the vision of the Assembly as a whole;

advising the Assembly and/or the Standing Committee on policy matters within their area of responsibility;

making policy decisions where the Assembly or the Standing Committee has delegated authority for certain policy areas, either through the agency mandate or by resolution;

participating in cross-agency projects and teams established from time to time by the Assembly or the Standing Committee.

Power to appoint:

To establish working groups for special tasks related specifically to the mandate.

To make recommendations to the Committee to establish other working groups for special tasks related to but not part of the mandate.

Membership of the (a) a chairperson and a secretary appointed by the Assembly;
Commission

(Regulation 2.2.15 (b) the principal (or an alternate appointed by the principal) of each theological

and 2.2.16) college recognised by the Assembly;

(c) one person appointed by each Synod;

(d) two persons appointed by the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress; and

(e) the chairperson of each working group appointed by the Commission, provided that a working group may appoint another of its members active in the ministry concerned to serve as a member of the Commission in the place of the chairperson of the working group.

Note: An executive committee of the Commission shall be appointed and function in accordance with Regulation 2.2.17.

MULTICULTURAL MINISTRY

Responsible to: The Assembly

Reporting

arrangements: The Assembly and the Standing Committee

Mission Statement: To educate the Church in living as people from different cultures in worship, witness and service.

Mandate: 1. To facilitate the development of policies on multicultural life with members of different cultures/traditions, and to reflect on the implications of the multicultural and multi-ethnic nature of the Church and of pluralistic Australian society for the ordering of the Church's life.

2. To study and advise the Church on the theological, liturgical and pastoral dimensions of multicultural ministry and mission.

3. To liaise with other Assembly agencies on relationships with overseas churches when those relationships impact on migrant-ethnic congregations of the Church.

4. To encourage co-operation between synods and presbyteries in multicultural ministry and mission.

5. To monitor matters relating to resources and property as they affect the ministry of migrant-ethnic churches, and refer to synods as appropriate.

6. To promote ways for all members from different traditions and cultures to share and to learn from each other.

7. To provide resources for ministry in multicultural parishes in which people of different ethnic groups participate.

8. To facilitate the full participation of migrant-ethnic members in the life of the Church.

9. To organize national conferences of the migrant-ethnic communities and national multicultural consultations and to utilize these to review the multicultural policies of the Uniting Church, and to gather wider opinions and new insights.

10. To organize the translation and interpretation of official documents, liturgies, music and other relevant material as required.

11. To explore ways of discipleship formation with second generation migrant members.

12. To advise and assist with matters relating to: multicultural dimensions in theological education, and formation of all ministers; and settlement and reception of ministers of non-English speaking background.

13. To maintain relationships with multicultural ministry agencies of other churches at national and international levels.

14. To maintain contacts with relevant government and community agencies with regard to immigration and race relations policies.

15. To encourage the Church to take initiatives in the wider community in the further developing of a creative and just multicultural society.

General: The responsibilities include:

focusing the activities of the agency on the vision of the Assembly as a whole;

advising the Assembly and/or the Standing Committee on policy matters within their area of responsibility;

making policy decisions where the Assembly or the Standing Committee has delegated authority for certain policy areas, either through the agency mandate or by resolution;

assisting the National Director and any other agency staff in the implementation of policies determined by the Assembly and/or the Standing Committee;

ensuring that appropriate pastoral support is offered to agency staff members;

participating in cross-agency projects and teams established by the Assembly.

Power to appoint:

To establish working groups for special tasks related specifically to the mandate.

To make recommendations to the Standing Committee to establish other working groups for special tasks related to but not part of the mandate.

Membership of the

Reference Committee:

Chairperson (appointed by the Assembly);

National Director;

ten persons appointed by the Standing Committee;

power to co-opt up to two additional persons to ensure appropriate competencies, representation and development of new leadership.

NATIONAL FINANCE

Responsible to: The Assembly

Reporting

arrangements: The Assembly and the Standing Committee

Mission Statement: To provide the financial management of funds of the Assembly for the mission and work of the Church (see Regulation 3.6.33(a)) and to provide for the national co-ordination of the financial and business affairs of the Church.

Mandate: 1. To advise the Standing Committee on financial, accounting, property, insurance, investment and other related management issues affecting the operations of Assembly agencies.

2. To be a resource to the Church regarding matters of financial management, policy and practice.

3. To maintain close liaison with the synods on financial management issues.

4. To consult regularly with the Management Advisory Group, Strategic Planning Unit and Assembly agencies on matters affecting resource management and allocation across the Church, including forecasts of financial resources required and likely to be available.

5. To co-ordinate meetings of representatives of the synods and other agencies on matters of common concern to the finances and property of the Church (including investments, insurance, computerization) and participate in the implementation of the outcomes from such meetings.

6. To act in the name of the Assembly and on behalf of the synods, in matters authorized by the Standing Committee.

7. To monitor the financial activities of all Assembly agencies.

8. To submit to Standing Committee annual budgets for the Assembly Fund and Assembly agencies.

General: The responsibilities include:

focusing the activities of the agency on the vision of the Assembly as a whole;

advising the Assembly and/or the Standing Committee on policy matters within their area of responsibility;

making policy decisions where the Assembly or the Standing Committee has delegated authority for certain policy areas, either through the agency mandate or by resolution;

assisting the General Secretary and any other agency staff in the implementation of policies determined by the Assembly and/or the Standing Committee;

ensuring that appropriate pastoral support is offered to agency staff members;

participating in cross-agency projects and teams established by the Assembly.

Power to appoint:

To establish working groups for special tasks related specifically to the mandate.

To make recommendations to the Standing Committee to establish other working groups for special tasks related to but not part of the mandate.

Membership of the

Reference Committee:

Chairperson - appointed by the Assembly from the member-ship of the Committee (Reg. 3.6.32);

six persons with appropriate skills appointed by the Assembly (Reg. 3.6.31);

one representative of each synod appointed by the Synod (Reg. 3.6.31);

Administration Services Manager (Reg. 3.6.31);

up to two persons co-opted by the Reference Committee (Reg. 3.6.31).

NATIONAL SECRETARIAT

Responsible to: The General Secretary

Mission statement: The Secretariat is the administrative hub of the Assembly. It participates in the life and mission of the whole of the Assembly, implementing policy decisions, and ensuring planning, co-ordination and administration of Assembly activities. Its staff act under the oversight and leadership of the General Secretary, and provide support for the ministries entrusted to the General Secretary.

Mandate: 1. All administration necessary for meetings of the Assembly and the Standing Committee.

2. Co-ordination of the Assembly’s ministry of communication to the Church and the community, including minutes of meetings, publications, media relations, and correspondence.

3. All finance and accounting functions of the Assembly and its agencies, except where Standing Committee has approved other arrangements.

4. Implementation of management decisions taken by the General Secretary.

5. Management of the Assembly office in Sydney.

6. Recommendation of policy and implementation of policy in amending Regulations, information technology, human resources management and property management.

7. Administration of the Assembly’s legal and constitutional functions.

8. National co-ordination of the church’s response to natural disasters within Australia and administration of the Disaster Fund.

9. Arrangements for administrative support to non-staffed agencies and task groups.

Staff: The Secretariat consists of the General Secretary, the Associate General Secretary, the Administration Manager, the Assistant to the General Secretary, accounting staff, communications staff, and other designated administrative staff.

RECEPTION OF MINISTERS

Responsible to: The Standing Committee

Reporting

arrangements: The Standing Committee

Mission statement: To fulfil the Assembly’s responsibilities in relation to the reception of ministers from other denominations as stated in Constitution clause 38(a) and Regulation 2.3.5.

Mandate: 1. On receipt of a request from a Synod, to determine whether a minister of

[Regulation 2.3.5(c)] another denomination satisfies the criteria for eligibility for admission as a minister of the Church;

2. On receipt of a request from a Synod, to determine whether any former minister of the Church satisfies the criteria for eligibility for admission as a minister of the Church (see Regulation 2.3.8).

3. To offer advice to Synods from time to time concerning the criteria for eligibility for admission as a minister of the Church.

General: The responsibilities of every agency include:

focusing the activities of the agency on the vision of the Assembly as a whole;

advising the Assembly and/or the Standing Committee on policy matters within their area of responsibility;

making policy decisions where the Assembly or the Standing Committee has delegated authority for certain policy areas, either through the agency mandate or by resolution;

participating in cross-agency projects and teams established from time to time by the Assembly or the Standing Committee.

Power to appoint:

To establish working groups for special tasks related specifically to the mandate.

To make recommendations to the Standing Committee to establish other working groups for special tasks related to but not part of the mandate.

Membership of the

Reference Committee:

A chairperson and up to 10 members from within one Synod area, appointed by the Standing Committee;

power to co-opt up to two additional persons to ensure appropriate competencies, representation and development of new leadership.

RELATIONS WITH OTHER FAITHS

An Agency of the Assembly promoting Dialogue and Respect for

Other Living World Faith communities

Responsible to: The Assembly

Reporting

arrangements: The Assembly and Standing Committee

Mission Statement: To promote knowledge and understanding of other living world faiths and their communities in Australia and to advise the Assembly on appropriate ways to foster relationships with such communities.

Mandate: 1. To provide information, policy and resources on appropriate positive relationships with other faiths to the Assembly.

2. To raise awareness within the church of the presence of other faiths in the community, and of their particular needs and place in Australian society.

3. To develop resources that may be appropriate for congregations and groups to use in multi-faith discussions and occasions of worship.

4. To maintain contact with people of other living world faiths.

5. To provide advice and assistance to all councils of the church as requested.

6. To collaborate where possible with other groups interested in multi-faith relationships.

7. To reflect on the theological basis on which inter-faith dialogue should occur and develop statements and resources for use by the church when working with people of other faiths.

General: The responsibilities of every agency include:

focusing the activities of the agency on the vision of the Assembly as a whole;

advising the Assembly and/or the Standing Committee on policy matters within their area of responsibility;

making policy decisions where the Assembly or the Standing Committee has delegated authority for certain policy areas, either through the agency mandate or by resolution;

participating in cross-agency projects and teams established from time to time by the Assembly or the Standing Committee.

Power to appoint:

To establish working groups for special tasks related specifically to the mandate.

To make recommendations to the Standing Committee to establish other working groups for special tasks related to but not part of the mandate.

Membership of the

Reference Committee

Chairperson appointed by the Assembly;

up to 8 people from within the New South Wales Synod appointed by the Standing Committee;

the Associate General Secretary;

one person appointed by Social Responsibility & Justice;

power to co-opt up to two additional persons to ensure appropriate competencies, representation and development of new leadership.

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY & JUSTICE

Responsible to: The Assembly

Reporting

arrangements: The Assembly and the Standing Committee

Mission Statement: To guide and resource the Church to more fully live out its commitment to justice, peace and the integrity of creation, primarily within Australia.

Mandate: 1. To identify issues of national significance within the area of social responsibility and justice and foster such research and theological engagement as may be required to enable the Church to determine the bearing of the Gospel upon these issues.

2. To assist the Church to maintain relationships with people who have been marginalised or whose human rights have been violated in Australia or by Australians as a basis for action in solidarity with them.

3. To maintain the prophetic voice of the Church by advocating appropriate changes in public policy, and to contribute to the public debate on directions for Australia.

4. To develop and implement strategies to educate the Church on issues of justice, peace and the integrity of creation.

5. To encourage liaison, consultation and co-operation between synods and Assembly agencies in responding to social justice issues and offer such other leadership as may be required.

6. To act on issues of injustice within the Church.

7. To advise Assembly, Assembly Standing Committee, the President and the General Secretary on issues within its mandate.

8. To work co-operatively with the National Council of Churches – Social Justice Network, with other churches and with relevant non-government organizations.

9. To work for the integrity of creation through promoting and participating in action by the whole church.

General: The responsibilities include:

focusing the activities of the agency on the vision of the Assembly as a whole;

advising the Assembly and/or the Standing Committee on policy matters within their area of responsibility;

making policy decisions where the Assembly or the Standing Committee has delegated authority for certain policy areas, either through the agency mandate or by resolution;

assisting the National Director and any other agency staff in the implementation of policies determined by the Assembly and/or the Standing Committee;

ensuring that appropriate pastoral support is offered to agency staff members;

participating in cross-agency projects and teams established by the Assembly.

Power to appoint:

To establish working groups for special tasks related specifically to the mandate.

To make recommendations to the Standing Committee to establish other working groups for special tasks related to but not part of the mandate.

Membership of the

Reference Committee: Total membership to be twelve:

Chairperson (appointed by the Assembly);

National Director, Social Responsibility & Justice;

Nine persons appointed by the Assembly Standing Committee;

One person appointed by the Uniting Care Reference Committee;

Within the total membership, there shall be at least one person from each Synod;

Power to co-opt up to two additional persons to ensure appropriate competencies, representation and development of new leadership.

STRATEGIC PLANNING UNIT

Responsible to: The Assembly

Reporting

arrangements: The Assembly and the Standing Committee

Mission Statement: To provide visionary direction at a national level including:-

envisioning church and society at least five to ten years ahead

challenging the Church to anticipate and influence change in an intentional and proactive manner that encourages living out the Gospel in a changing world.

Mandate: 1. To gather and analyze research on:-

social change (eg. attitudes to organized religion and authority);

church change (eg. liturgy, theology, types of ministry and education)

demographic change

church membership and attitudes

and advise the Standing Committee on the impact of that research on the way the Church ministers and functions.

2. To provide guidance to the Assembly and Standing Committee on the future direction of the Church.

3. To make policy recommendations to the Assembly and the Standing Committee as it sees fit and as required.

4. To communicate the results of its research and challenge the whole church to embrace change in a positive manner.

General: The responsibilities include:

focusing the activities of the agency on the vision of the Assembly as a whole;

advising the Assembly and/or the Standing Committee on policy matters within their area of responsibility;

making policy decisions where the Assembly or the Standing Committee has delegated authority for certain policy areas, either through the agency mandate or by resolution;

assisting the executive officer of the agency in the implementation of policies determined by the Assembly and/or the Standing Committee;

ensuring that appropriate pastoral support is offered to agency staff members;

participating in cross-agency projects and teams established by the Assembly.

Power to appoint: Power to establish working groups for special tasks such as research and consultation.

Membership:

Six visionary people with appropriate skills, expertise and experience in social research, theology, demography and lateral analysis and thinking, elected by the Standing Committee;

the President and President-elect ex-officio;

within the total membership there are to be people from no fewer than four synods.

THEOLOGY AND DISCIPLESHIP

Responsible to: The Assembly

Reporting

arrangements: The Assembly and the Standing Committee

Mission Statement: To provide national leadership to the Church in the Assembly's functions in doctrine, missiology, evangelism and worship, and to integrate these functions within the life of the Assembly and the wider Church.

Mandate: 1. To provide theological leadership by assisting the Church to reflect on, articulate and apply the Christian faith, to engage the culture, and to spread the good news of Jesus Christ.

2. To advise on matters of doctrine.

3. To develop policy and resources for worship in UCA congregations, including the preparation of those orders of worship which require Assembly approval.

4. To promote spiritual development of Church members.

5. To develop networks of theologians and practitioners in doctrine, evangelism, missiology and worship within the UCA.

6. To establish resource working groups to fulfil this mandate.

7. To facilitate mission planning from a national perspective, noting the various mission contexts within Australia.

General: The responsibilities include:

focusing the activities of the agency on the vision of the Assembly as a whole;

advising the Assembly and/or the Standing Committee on policy matters within their area of responsibility;

making policy decisions where the Assembly or the Standing Committee has delegated authority for certain policy areas, either through the agency mandate or by resolution;

assisting the National Director and any other agency staff in the implementation of policies determined by the Assembly and/or the Standing Committee;

ensuring that appropriate pastoral support is offered to agency staff members;

participating in cross-agency projects and teams established by the Assembly.

Permanent Working To fulfil the functions of doctrine, missiology, evangelism and worship, four Groups: separate working groups will be maintained.

Power to appoint: To make recommendation to Standing Committee to establish other working groups for special tasks.

Membership:

Chairperson (appointed by Assembly)

National Director

Two representatives from each permanent Working Group (appointed by the respective Working Groups)

Four other persons, elected by the Standing Committee to ensure a range of gifts and graces, and to ensure that the total membership includes at least one person from at least five synods.

Unitingcare australia

Responsible to: Assembly

Reporting

arrangements: The Assembly and the Standing Committee

Mission Statement: UnitingCare Australia’s mission is to voice the Uniting Church’s commitment to supporting individuals, families and communities through advocacy and the enhancement of community service provision.

Mandate:

To develop and reflect on the policies and practices of the Uniting Church in community services.

To take up community service issues within the framework of the social justice perspectives of the Uniting Church.

To pursue appropriate community service issues within the Uniting Church, with other churches, with the Australian community and with governments.

Acting within guidelines set from time to time by the Assembly or the Assembly Standing Committee, UnitingCare will:

1. encourage theological reflection on the church’s community service work;

2. enable exchange of information across synods and Uniting Church service providers on community service matters;

3. seek to enhance the quality of service provision by the Uniting Church;

4. advocate within the church and community those policies and practices which enhance the dignity of people;

5. represent the views of Uniting Church service providers to governments;

6. initiate research on community service issues;

7. work as appropriate with other churches and peak organisations in the community services field;

8. act on requests and referrals from synods and the Assembly.

General: The responsibilities include:

focusing the activities of the agency on the vision of the Assembly as a whole;

advising the Assembly and/or the Standing Committee on policy matters within their area of responsibility;

making policy decisions where the Assembly or the Standing Committee has delegated authority for certain policy areas, either through the agency mandate or by resolution;

assisting the National Director and staff of the agency in the implementation of policies determined by the Assembly and/or the Standing Committee;

ensuring that appropriate pastoral support is offered to agency staff members; and

participating in cross-agency projects and teams established from time to time by the Assembly or the Standing Committee.

Relations with other

agencies: UnitingCare Australia will maintain regular contact with other Assembly agencies, to ensure co-ordination of the church’s actions and advocacy in community service matters.

Power to appoint: UnitingCare Australia has the power to appoint advisory committees and to delegate responsibilities.

Membership: Members appointed by Standing Committee as follows:

3 persons from each of NSW, Qld and Vic, on the nomination of their synods;

2 persons from each of SA and WA, on the nomination of their synods;

1 person from each of the Northern Synod and the Synod of Tasmania, on the nomination of their synods;

1 person on the nomination of Frontier Services, and

1 person on the nomination of Social Responsibility and Justice.

Standing Committee will ensure that the head of each synod’s community services department is included in the membership.

The Standing Committee may co-opt up to 5 additional members on the nomination of UnitingCare Australia. Co-option will be used to ensure that the diverse range of Uniting Church community service functions are represented as appropriate.

UNITING CHURCH ADULT FELLOWSHIP NATIONAL COMMITTEE

An Agency of the Assembly promoting the work of Adult Fellowships

Responsible to: The Assembly

Reporting

arrangements: The Assembly and the Standing Committee

Mission Statement: To facilitate the network of Adult Fellowships nationally in order to promote the mission and witness of the Uniting Church in Australia.

Mandate: 1. To foster and develop links with Synod committees of adult fellowships.

2. To recommend to the Assembly Standing Committee representatives to various ecumenical bodies as agreed with the General Secretary such as Australian Church Women and international bodies such as World Federation of Methodist and Uniting Church Women, the World Alliance of Reformed Churches’ Department of Partnership of Women and Men, and Bridgebuilders International.

3. To organise and facilitate conferences and meetings of adult fellowships as appropriate.

4. To consult and co-ordinate with other Assembly agencies on ways adult fellowships may participate and assist in the ongoing life and witness of the Uniting Church in Australia.

General: The responsibilities of every agency include:

focusing the activities of the agency on the vision of the Assembly as a whole;

advising the Assembly and/or the Standing Committee on policy matters within their area of responsibility;

making policy decisions where the Assembly or the Standing Committee has delegated authority for certain policy areas, either through the agency mandate or by resolution;

participating in cross-agency projects and teams established by the Assembly or the Standing Committee.

Power to appoint:

To establish working groups for special tasks related specifically to the mandate.

To make recommendations to the Standing Committee to establish other working groups for special tasks related to but not part of the mandate.

Membership of the

Reference Committee:

President and up to eleven members from one Synod for each three year term (the Synod based to rotate each triennium), appointed by the triennial UCAF Consultation and noted by the Assembly or the Standing Committee;

power to co-opt to ensure appropriate competencies, representation and development of new leadership.

UNITING CHURCH OVERSEAS AID

Responsible to: The Assembly

Reporting

arrangements: The Assembly and the Standing Committee

Mission Statement: To fulfil Unity and International Mission’s responsibilities in enabling the Church to hear and respond to the needs of all peoples, especially the poorest of the poor, throughout the world.

Mandate: 1. That part of the mandate of Unity and International Mission which authorises UIM to:

work in partnership with churches, councils of churches and other appropriate agencies, to develop policies and programs in human rights and community development;

emphasise a particular care for and solidarity with people who are marginalised, oppressed or discriminated against, in their hunger for justice;

maintain a partnership with AusAID in the AusAID NGO Co-operation Program (ANCP) and other programs, and to maintain membership in the Australian Council for Overseas Aid (ACFOA).

2. To implement development policies and programs that:

assist developing countries to reduce poverty and achieve sustainable development;

address the causes of poverty and promote justice and peace;

meet human need in times of emergency and to enable people affected by disasters and emergencies to recover rapidly;

ensure programs are effectively planned and managed through the ongoing development of adequate program management capability.

3. To support the following major types of activity:

Community Development

Example: resource management, agriculture, community forestry, water supply, health, food security, vocational training. To incorporate use of loans, micro-credit and savings plans where possible.

Emergency Relief; Disaster Recovery and Refugee Support

Example: Relief needs following cyclone, drought, earthquake, volcano and conflict situations. Disaster recovery programs. Long term rehabilitation programs for refugees and people displaced by conflict.

Justice and Peace Building

Example: Training and workshops that empower participants to address causes of poverty and conflict and gaining skills in organising groups and in conflict resolution

Training and Capacity Building

Example: Training in program and financial management for partner organisations. Training for Uniting Church Overseas Aid staff.

Promotion of agency programs and education regarding development and relief issues

Examples: newsletters, leaflets, direct mail, educational material, seminars, briefings, audiovisual, use of internet.

Relationship with

Unity and International

Mission: Uniting Church Overseas Aid will work within the closest possible relationship with Unity and International Mission.

Power to appoint: To establish working groups for special tasks related specifically to the mandate.

Executive Officer: The Director of Unity and International Mission will be the Executive Officer of Uniting Church Overseas Aid.

Membership of the . five persons appointed by the Standing Committee following recommenda-

Uniting Church tions made by the Uniting Church Overseas Aid Executive Officer;

Overseas Aid . the Uniting Church Overseas Aid Executive Officer;

Program Committee: . the International Programs Manager

. the Secretary for International Human Rights;

. the Assembly General Secretary or his/her nominee.

UNITING EDUCATION

Responsible to: The Assembly

Reporting

arrangements: The Assembly and the Standing Committee

Mission Statement: Uniting Education provides leadership and resources to nurture

(a) faithful disciples of Christ

(b) empowered, equipped leadership

(c) just and equitable education.

Mandate: Uniting Education will strengthen the teaching ministry of the church by:

(a) advocating and equipping for educational ministry in every aspect of the church’s life;

(b) providing Christian Education services for the Uniting Church;

(c) being the Uniting Church’s national body for education and training.

Uniting Education’s tasks include:

1. networking and consulting with leaders of congregations, councils and agencies of the Uniting Church and other churches (in Australia and overseas), Christian education agencies and publishing houses;

2. researching and resourcing the faith formation and educational needs of individuals, groups, leaders and Christian communities;

3. teaching and training, and developing leadership for educational ministry with children, young people and adults;

4. providing publications specifically for;

the Uniting Church, under the imprint of Uniting Church Press (UCP)

educational ministries of the Uniting Church and other churches;

5. ensuring that the policies of the Assembly regarding education and training are well informed and enjoy broad Church support, through consultative relations with Synods and schools;

6. developing policy proposals for consideration by the Assembly, or its Standing Committee, which support the national provision and delivery of just and equitable education and training in both government and non-government sectors;

7. advising the General Secretary and President in regard to communicating with the Federal Government of Australia on education and / or training matters of significance to the Church;

8. undertaking specific projects of national significance to schools, through negotiating collaborative partnerships with Synods and schools;

9. addressing issues of Uniting Church polity (faith and order) in relation to schools (educational institutions), collaboratively with Synods and schools;

10. researching, developing and resourcing the Church’s national policy on Christian Religious Education commitments in both government and non-government schools;

11. liaising with the national education and training agencies of other denominations; and with national and international educational organisations – as appropriate - in matters of advocacy, or understanding to inform Assembly policy development.

General: The responsibilities of every agency include:

focusing the activities of the agency on the vision of the Assembly as a whole;

advising the Assembly and/or the Standing Committee on policy matters within their area of responsibil