This 500th post presents a press release from the South Canterbury Presbytery. It's of particular interest to National Mission Office, as we've been involved in this process for a few years....
The four Presbyterian congregations in Timaru voted on Sunday to dissolve their current congregations and form one new congregation. Trinity, St Paul’s and St Stephen’s voted to proceed, with 85%, 97% and 94% of those present in favor. Chalmers voted 61% in favor. The Chalmers figure is less than the 66% majority required by the PCANZ (Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand) for significant decisions.
The Presbytery of South Canterbury will be asked by the leaders of Trinity, St Paul’s and St Stephen’s to proceed with the dissolution of their congregations and the establishment of one new congregation.
A task group has been set up by the Presbytery to investigate the proposal. They will hear why the churches have taken this decision, and listen to objections and endorsements from church members. Presbytery will also have to consider whether the amalgamation can proceed with only three churches, as discussions and planning over several years have been made on the basis of combining all four congregations.
2 comments:
That's kinda sad. I remember even when I first came to Timaru Trinity was still thriving. I've played organ in Trinity many times over the last 6 years.
I don't think it's an occasion for sadness. The aim of bringing these four (or three, rather) church congregations together is to strengthen them, not diminish them. The hope is that they will increase as a result of having more strength on the ground. Separated into three small churches they were in a much weaker position. The old three-stranded cord idea - you know?
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