Uniting Church in Australia

THE RULES FOR MINISTRY OF PASTOR ARE NOW AVAILABLE
8 September 2008

Dear colleagues in ministry

Materials to accompany this resource:

• Regulations
• Guidelines to the Regulations
• Checklists
• Questions and Answers
• Rules
• Core Competencies
• Transition Process
• Commissioning of a Pastor - Order of Service
• Synod Contacts for Human Resources Support

I am pleased to be able to report that the MEC Executive has approved the Rules for the Ministry of Pastor and that this link is now available for your use.

There are five main parts to the resources:

• The primary document to guide the recognition, appointment and oversight of Pastors is the Regulations. The Pastor Regulations are provided on this site but will also be available mid year in the new edition of the Regulations. There is also a list of areas where consequential amendments to the Regulations have been needed. These are not presented in detail and mainly have to do with the roles of Presbyteries, Synod Placements Committees and membership of various Councils of the Church.
  
• The ASC approved Guidelines on the operation of the Pastor Regulations. The Guidelines do not address all the Regulations related to Pastors but only those that are connected with the appointment phase of the process. They are also provided. The Guidelines come with three helpful checklists.
  
• There are many questions around the ministry of Pastor and so a Q&A section is provided as a way into the issues.
  
• The Ministerial Education Commission has determined the 'Rules', as they are formally known, for the Ministry of Pastor. The Rules are available to download. Resources to aid Pastors in the development of Core Competencies and assessment tools are now available.
  
• Persons currently serving in the Specified Ministries of Lay Pastor, Youth Worker and Community Minister have been provided with the opportunity to explore transferring to an ordained ministry. If the church recognises a call in this direction then there will be processes to assist that transition. This site contains information on the transition process for persons in one of these Specified Ministries wanting to explore ordination.

Grace and Peace
 
Terence Corkin
Assembly General Secretary
September 2008

Synod Contacts for Human Resources Support

One of the important Task Groups set up by the Assembly Standing Committee in preparation for the ministry of Pastor was a combined synod group that addressed itself to a range of HR issues, including letters of appointment, best practice procedures in a number of areas and useful checklists for employing bodies.

It was anticipated at the time of the last meeting of the Assembly Standing Committee that it would be possible to place this HR kit on the Assembly website and to make copies available to Presbyteries for their use. However given the slightly different Industrial Relations regimes that operate in different States and Territories it was considered unwise to attempt a universal form of documentation. However the synods have co-operated closely and have devised materials that are consistent in their style and goals.

Therefore instead of making the materials directly available each synod has provided contact details for the person within their office who can assist employing bodies with HR advice and documentation. In many cases this will be the same person who presently advises such groups.

Please directly contact the person who provides this advice. The schedule below provides the information that you require. The information will be kept up to date as and when synods advise us of changes.

Terence Corkin
Assembly General Secretary
June 27 2008
 

Synod of NSW and the ACT

Mrs Vicki Roper
Manager – HR Services – Uniting Resources
02 8267 4365
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Northern Synod

Mrs Julia Watts
Synod Finance and Property Officer
08 8982 3400
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Synod of Queensland

Ms Ann Warren
HR Adviser
07 3377 9784
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Synod of South Australia

Mr Bill Shepherd
Pastoral Relations Administration Officer
08 8236 4288
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Synod of Victoria and Tasmania

Ms Lilian Bolek
Human Resource Officer
03 9251 5477
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Synod of Western Australia

Rev Dr Ian Tozer
Associate General Secretary
08 9260 9800
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