THE UNITING PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN SOUTHERN AFRICA 1
THE UNITING PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN SOUTHERN AFRICA 1
What is the General Assembly? • • Supreme Council of the Church Develop the life and work of the whole Church and promote the proclamation of the Gospel • Oversee discipline and administrative functions through special bodies 2
AT GENERAL ASSEMBLY WE: ØWorship ØFellowship ØPrayer ØConversation on Reports ØDecision 3
Why use Consensus Model ? 4
Rules of Procedure for the Conduct of Business: Guidelines for Consensus Model 5
Theological basis … Two theological principles underlie this Consensus decision-making model: 6
Theological basis 1 1. Community of faith, brothers and sisters in Christ … 7
Theological basis 1 … strengthening fellowship through: - worship - prayer conversation - presentations discussions - discoveries … 8
Theological basis 2 2. We seek to discern God’s will: - personally - as General Assembly Acts 15: 28: Council of Jerusalem [AD 48]: It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us… 9
Theological basis 2 So we seek Holy Spirit’s guidance: • as we listen for God’s Word • as we listen to each other. 10
Theological basis 2 gentleness s s e ln self u f h -co t i a ntro f l kindness ge n e rosi e c n ty e i t a p joy peace e v lo 11
What is Consensus decision-making? 12
Consensus decision-making: • prayerful process: trying to discern God’s will; • seeking agreement about the best way forward on an issue; • decisions are made in a process of genuine dialogue; • being respectful, mutually supportive, empowering. 13
Christian community • • Body of Christ – fellowship value the gifts and insights of all; listen for Spirit’s guidance; seek to discern will of God. 14
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Commissioner: § Elected by Presbytery § may speak and vote § responsible for decision-making § must participate until the end (leave of absence) 16
CHURCH MEMBERS ARE ASSOCIATED • May speak at Moderator’s discretion • Has no vote 17
Fraternal Guest: §may speak at Moderator’s discretion §has no vote 18
What’s different about these procedures? 19
Why coloured cards? 20
Indicator Cards Orange card = I agree, I feel warm to this idea. Blue card = I disagree, I feel cool to this idea, I need more time or more information. 21
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Won’t it suppress real debate – a subdued approach to issues? 23
Consensus does NOT mean : • all agree with a proposal • vigorous debate is stifled • we have ‘lost’, if our point of view does not prevail. 24
Seeking best way forward … may have a very different outcome from that anticipated. 25
What’s meant to happen in a meeting? 26
PROCESS: 3 SESSIONS 27
1. LISTENING SESSION • Presentation • Clarity 28
2. Discussion Session • INSAKA • SHAPE PROPOSALS 29
3. DECISION SESSION • DRAFTING COMMITTEE • PLENARY 30
Let’s see how it happens: Listening Discussion (INSAKA) Drafting Committee Decision 31
What if meeting remains divided? ! 32
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DECISION REACHED WHEN: 1. ALL IN AGREEMENT (UNANIMITY) 2. MOST ARE IN AGREEMENT (MINORITY GIVE CONSENT) 3. CONSIDERATION ON MATTER POSTPONED 4. AGREED NO DECISION CAN BE REACHED 5. 2/3 MAJORITY – FORMAL MAJORITY PROCEDURES 34
Community Information Discussion Variation Decision Community 35
LET’S SUMMARIZE 36
• • • General Assembly is faith community seeking to discern God’s will each member: unique gifts, insights all are worthy of respect open to guidance of Holy Spirit seek way forward which honours faith and integrity of all. 37
We use discernment procedures: • • help us seek the will of God help us listen to each other work towards mutual solutions strengthen the faith community move from adversarial procedures forget winners and losers seekers and discerners together. 38
Colossians 3: 15 The peace that Christ gives is to guide you in the decisions you make; for it is to this peace that God has called you together in the one body. 39
- Slides: 39