 |
|
Pastoral
The purpose of the Pastoral Committee is to consider the cases of ministers which are referred to it by district councils or provincial synods, their officers or committees. (See GA 1983 Reports, pp 5 and 6). By a Welfare Sub-Committee, it also deals with all welfare and emergency matters including the use of welfare funds. Because of the nature of many of the cases, it is a confidential committee which reports in general terms only, directly to the General Assembly.
Committee Members
Convener: Revd John Johansen-Berg Secretary: Revd John Waller Revd Tony Burnham, Revd Jean Forster, Revd John Humphreys, Dr Anthea Kaan,
Mrs Joan Staples and the Convener of the Welfare Sub-Committee.
1 The Committee has had a lighter year in terms of individuals brought to its attention and this is good news. However, many pastoral difficulties are resolved locally with district or synod help. In addition there are varied practical needs and many of these are addressed by the Welfare Sub-Committee whose report is attached and whose members we thank for their careful work. Particular thanks are expressed to the Convener, Mrs Shirley Paton, who concludes her term of office at this Assembly.
Sensitivity and confidentiality are needed in the work of the committee and so nothing further is added under this heading except to commend ministers and their families at times of pressure and stress to the prayers of the Assembly.
2 One of the ways in which the Church can offer help is through the Churches’ Ministerial Counselling Service and this too is confidential in the way it operates. It has been used with satisfaction by a number of our ministers and their households and remains an available resource. The Church covers the cost of this counselling but is not notified of the names of the persons concerned so that this is clearly a confidential service.
3 In the light of the new procedures for discipline it is necessary to put before Assembly new terms of reference for the work of the Pastoral Committee and this is appended to our Report. The changes are minimal. It is commended to Assembly for approval confident that it is the right basis for offering help to ministers and their families when special pastoral need arises.
Note: The Revd John Johansen-Berg completes his term of office at this Assembly, and the Pastoral Committee wishes to place on record its appreciation of the sensitive and thorough way in which he has guided its work. The Church is considerably in his debt.
Resolution 58 Terms of Reference
Assembly approves the revised terms of reference of the Pastoral Reference Committee as set out on page 122 of the Book of Reports.
1 Terms of Reference
1a The Assembly Pastoral Reference Committee will consider the cases of URC ministers which are referred to it on account of some perceived pastoral need by Mission Council, district councils or synods or their committees or moderators of synods, and when the continuation of a minister’s service: (i) within an existing pastoral charge or (ii) within the URC is in question.
1b The Committee will seek to enable the minister’s service within the URC to be continued if that is seen to be appropriate, and to this end may consider financial support for a course of retraining or therapy or counselling.
1c The Committee may initiate discussion about alternative forms of service for a minister, within or outside the URC, and may seek help (practical , financial, professional) in consultation with the minister to make this possible.
1d The Committee may authorise the MoM Sub-Committee to provide stipend or part stipend and may authorise the Secretary for Finance to pay other necessary expenses (including accommodation costs) to a minister not in pastoral charge, for a specific period. Such period will not exceed six months in the first instance but may be renewed by the Pastoral Reference Committee. The MoM Sub-Committee (or such other body as shall in future carry out the functions of the MoM sub-committee) or the Secretary for Finance will accept this authority for payment.
1e In each case the Committee will make clear to the minister concerned the period for which payments will be made and whether or not it may be extended.
2 Limitation on powers
2a The Committee does not have authority to delete the name of a minister from the Roll of Ministers nor to take any other disciplinary steps against him/her. The Committee does not have to be consulted about and does not have the authority over the process of ending the appointment of a minister in pastoral charge, which process is a matter for minister, church meeting and district council.
2b The Committee may not be involved with, and must withdraw from, any ongoing discussions, counselling or other direct pastoral involvement with any case in which the disciplinary procedures of the Church are being applied against a minister. Nevertheless the Committee may authorise any financial payments allowed under its terms of reference (see 1d).
3 Confidentiality
It is evident that the work of the Pastoral Reference Committee will be confidential and pastoral. Nevertheless it will need to keep a record of its meetings. The Committee’s conclusions should be recorded, given to the person concerned and shared with others directly involved in the matter who need to know the outcome. It would be inappropriate for the Committee as a body, or individual members of it, to divulge any additional information about ministers or churches concerned.
4 Composition
A former Moderator of General Assembly who shall be Convener
The General Secretary
Two lay people
One minister in pastoral charge
One Provincial Moderator
The Honorary Treasurer
The Deputy General Secretary who will act
as Secretary
5 Attendance
5a The minister whose case is being considered by the Committee may request a meeting with the Committee in person if he or she so wishes. Alternatively the Committee may invite the minister to meet some or all of its members. In either case the minister may be accompanied by a friend if he or she so wishes.
5b The Committee shall have discretion to invite other persons involved in a case to meet it.
6 Relationship to Structure
The Committee will report to the Assembly each year. However the report will only deal with general matters and the Committee will not report on, nor may it be questioned on, individual cases.
Welfare Sub-Committee
Convener: Mrs Shirley Paton Secretary: Mrs Judy Stockings
1.1 This is a sub-committee of the Assembly Pastoral Committee and as such carries out its duty in accordance with the remit laid down by that Committee.
1.2 The sub-committee has met 3 times since the last Assembly Report. It has continued the welfare work of the Church and has been able to give assistance to ministers and their families, especially those who fall outside other areas of the Church’s care.
1.3 Ministers’ Welfare Gifts from this fund amounting to £35,537.00 have been made to ministers and their dependants and to ministers’ spouses following bereavement. The grant paid to spouses immediately on the death of a minister has been raised from £200 to £400, which reflects the increased cost of day to day expenses at a very difficult time. At Christmas 1998 a total of £50,760.00 was paid out to widows/ers and dependent children.
1.4 Educational assistance Assistance amounting to £37,313.00 has been given from a variety of educational funds for school uniform, equipment and fees.
1.5 In August 1998 a letter was sent to all stipendiary ministers and CRCWs setting out possible uses of available funds and inviting ministers to apply for grants as applicable. There has been a considerable response and the sub-committee has endeavoured to deal with these cases in as sympathetic way as possible.
1.6 The guidance and support of the Provincial Moderators has been much appreciated.
|