What role does the National Assembly play?

• The Triennial Assembly
• Assembly Membership
• The Standing Committee

The Assembly is the national council of the Uniting Church in Australia, and like the other councils such as Presbyteries, Synods, and Church Councils, it has its own special role to play.

The Assembly has responsibility in matters of doctrine, worship, government and discipline. It sets national policy and promotes the Church's mission in the world. It also establishes standards of theological training and reception of ministers from other communions, and pursues the goal of the worldwide union of all Christ's church.

The Triennial Assembly is the meeting of about 250 representatives elected by Synods and Presbyteries to form the decision making body of the Assembly. It meets every three years, for one week, in a different state each time. The discussion revolves around social and policy issues relating to the Church. The outcome is a series of decisions affecting the corporate life of the church over the following three years.

The Assembly has its main meeting once every three years, the venue being decided at the previous meeting. In July 2003, the 10th Assembly was held in Melbourne. The next meeting, in the year 2006, will be in Brisbane, hosted by the Synod of Queensland. For more information on previous Triennial Assemblies, click here.

The Assembly participants are drawn from the seven synods, 50 presbyteries and various Assembly Agencies and Working Groups. They gather to study the Bible, worship together and pray, review the life of the Church over the past three years, reflect on reports and recommendations, and determine the course of the Church in Australia and overseas.

The Assembly elects its President at its meeting. The current President is the Rev Dr Dean Drayton and the president-elect is Rev Gregor Henderson.

The Assembly is guided by the Holy Spirit through the Word of God, prophets and scholars, and the Church's Basis of Union, Constitution and Regulations.

The Assembly elects a Standing Committee to meet between the triennial meeting of the Assembly. Currently the Standing Committee meets for 48 hours three times a year to follow up decisions and deal with issues that arise in the intervening period.

The Assembly employs around 50 staff to run its agencies and carry out its administration. The majority of the staff are based in Sydney. However there are also staff in Townsville, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Canberra and some agencies have field workers throughout Australia and internationally.

The Assembly also functions through the generous time and energy of elected reference committees, working groups and volunteer workers.

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