2. Welcome Opening Prayer Introductions

4. In the boxes, please note the responsibilities of each

5. What problems have you experienced with the current model?
(or put another way, why are we putting church members through this whole exercise?)

6. Remit 1: Should the church move to a three-council model, and the Basis of Union be changed to reflect that?
The question to be voted on: Does the presbytery/pastoral charge agree that:
(a) the United Church be re-organized into the three-council model approved by the 42nd General Council 2015; and that
(b) the Basis of Union be amended to reflect this change?

7. What does this remit propose?
The three-council model is intended maintain our identity as a “united” church. A commission, after listening to advice from the wider church, will decide on the number and boundaries of the 12 to 15 regional councils, in the range of 12 to 15.

8. What is a community of faith?
regular congregations, as we now know them
new kinds of communities that meet in less formal settings
could group in clusters
networks with other church members across the country for special projects or issues
Communities of faith will include congregations as we know them, but increasingly may also include new kinds of communities that gather to worship, learn, and serve, such as outreach ministries, house churches and online communities.

9. What are regional councils?
Will replace presbyteries and Conferences
Provide support advice and services for communities of faith
Provide ongoing support for ministers and pastoral relationships
Support in buying, selling and renovating property
Offer other regionally based programs and ministries (camps, etc.)
The membership of regional councils will be made up of lay and ministry personnel, who will provide support and services to communities of faith in areas such as human resources and property, and in making connections to national and global partners for social justice, pastoral relations, and outreach. They will ensure communities of faith are living up to their covenantal relationship and they will attempt to resolve disputes.

10. And what is a denominational council?
It will take over the duties of General Council
Make decisions on issues such as theology, denominational standards, public witness and governance structure
Small executive = timely decision-making
The denominational council will continue the primary role of the current General Council—to provide a denominational, national, global voice and identity, setting policies and directions, and electing a Moderator. It will have a much smaller executive than the current one, facilitating more timely decision-making. Staffing of the denominational council office will be determined by the financial resources available.

11. Questions for Clarification?

12. What would we gain/lose?

13. What are the advantages?
Flexibility, simplification
Powerful local ministries
Clusters and networks would allow for ministries of common interest to meet without governance or oversight responsibilities.
Fewer committee meetings
The current four-court model incorporates the different governance and oversight structures of, primarily, the three major founding denominations. It contains checks and balances in decision-making that were important in The proposed three-council model relaxes some of those checks and balances, and provides ways for local ministries and members to connect and work with one another regionally and nationally. And the three-council model should result in fewer committees requiring fewer volunteers.

14. Do you still have questions?