Toongabbie Anglican Church Blog

Weekly Blurb Special administrative ordinance

Special administrative ordinance

Sunday 5 December, 2004 · Posted by Philip Bassett

That�s the fairly boring title of an exciting new initiative of our Diocesan Synod. As parishes gear up for mission, particularly as new congregations are planted, often off-site, this ordinance changes the way parishes are organized to reflect the new dynamics.

As we mentioned a few weeks ago, I have appointed the Church Plant Task Group to look into planting another congregation probably in the second half of next year. If we adopt the ordinance, it will allow this new congregation to be a full part of our church right from the start.

The bones of the ordinance are that we would have a Parish council as follows:

  1. 3 Churchwardens, as at present
  2. 1,2 or 3 representatives elected by each congregation. (I suggest only 1 to keep PC to a reasonable size)
  3. 0,1,2 or 3 representatives elected by the whole parish (I suggest 0 for the same reason)
  4. 1 person appointed by me for each 3 elected, as at present.

If we adopt the ordinance and follow my suggestions, this would mean that next year we would have 3 churchwardens, 3 elected representatives and one appointed representative as at present. The only difference would be that the three elected representatives would be elected by the individual congregations, either meeting separately or at the AVM.

When the new congregation is added they would be able to elect their own representative(s) to the PC.

Parish Council at its meeting this week endorsed the change in principle and we intend that at the AVM on Sunday, 20th February, we will ask that it be adopted and the new Parish Council be chosen according to the new ordinance.

The ordinance provides that if in practice we decide that it doesn�t work we can revert to the present system but it would leave any off-site congregation disenfranchised.

If you have any questions please speak to me about them. I believe that this is a great step forward for the future of our church. At first it will have little impact but in time it should bring positive benefits. I can make a copy of the ordinance and some explanatory notes available to anyone who requests one.

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