CHURCH UNION

Evening Star, Issue 17701, 30 June 1921, Page 3

CHURCH UNION

PRESBYTERIANS AND CONGREGATION ALIBTS. PROPOSALS ASSUME SHAPE. An Interim report on tho present position of the negotiations for union between the Congregational and Presbyterian Churches has been issued by the Kev. Vv. anuders. The rev. gentleman points _ out that the Congregational “ basis of union so far stands intact, and any alterations snmMed by the Presbyterian Assembly can bo finally adopted only with the consent *f the Congregational churches, and that the document drawn up by the Presbyterian Committee does not infringe a single principle embodied in the Congregational proposals. Its chief purport is to give something like legal form and definition to those proposals which were not specifically drafted with that view. THE TWO PROPOSALS. —Congregational Union.— (1) That, until the larger unirn is consummated, and the name df the United Church agreed upon, the Presbyterians shall place upon their notice boards, documents, etc., the words “Presbyterian Church of New Zealand, with which is united the Congregational Un : on of New Zealand,” and that the notice boards o the present Congregational churches shall hear the words, “Congregational Church united with the Presbyterian Church ot New Zealand.” ... , (2) That, while remaining in the pastorate he occupied at tho time when union was effected, every Congregational minister now in the Congregational Union of New Zealand shall bo received into the mmis-tiy of the United Church without further induction service. (3) That everv church within the union shall bo free to follow its own order of service (4) That there shall he one standard of ministerial training; but that the Congregational extra-mural course shall be_ recognised for these taking it at tho time of union. . , . (5) That the question of disposal ot funds derived from the sa!c_ of any properties, consequent upon union, shall be left to the United Church, with the recommendation that such a proportion of tnose funds as may be deemed necessary be used to augment the Congregational pastors’ provident fund, with a view to its equalisation with tho Presbyterian ministers’ retiring fund; and that a committee of experts representing the uniting denominations be set up to secure an actuarial and equitable adjustment. (6) That, in view of the fact that existing Congregational churches have a deep interest in the great and historic London Missionary Society, which interest they desire to conserve, this society be granted the same facilities as existing Presbyterian missions for appealing to the congregations of the United Church. (7) That a proposal to close any church deemed superfluous shall be considered bv a special committee, and that no church, shall be closed without the recommendation of that committee of Assembly. (8) That no church shall be closed without its own consent wtyile it is able to maintain the ministry on the authorised scale. Note. —The Assembly’s Committee unanimously agreed to approve of tho above as they stand. —Presbyterian Suggestions.— Article I,—That the United Church shall include and consist of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand, as existing previously to the union, and of the Congregational Union of New Zealand, as existing previously to tho union; and that the name of the United Church shall ho "The Presbyterian Church of New Zealand.” Article 2.—That the basis in doctrine and polity of tne United Church shall be the doctrine and polity of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand at the date of the union.

Article 3.—'That the Synod of Otago and Southland shall, with respect to its ecclesiastical functions and to the trust properties and funds administered by it, retain the position and rights in the United Church held by it in the Presbyterian. Church of New Zealand previously to the union. Article 4.—That all ministers of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand at the date of the union, and all ministers of the Congregational Union of New Zealand at the date of the union, shall be ministers cf the United Church.

Article s,—That all the properties held and owned by the churches of the Congregational Union of Xew Zealand at the date of the union shall be vested in the Presbyterian Church property trustees — i.e., United Church—in terms of the Presbyterian Church Property Act. 1885. Article 6.—That any proposal to close a church deemed superfiuous shall be considered by a special committee of the General Assembly of the United Church ; and no church shall be closed without the consent of the majority of the members and the recommendation to this effect of the Assembly’s Committee. Article 7.—That the disposal of funds derived from the sale, consequent upon ■union, of any pioperties shall be determined by the Assembly on the recommendation of a special committee, consisting of members representing the two churches at the time of the union, and that, in the disposal, such proportion of those funds as may be agreed on shall be added to the Congregational pastors’ provident fund, with a view to its ultimate equalisation with the Presbyterian beneficiary fund. Article B,—That the beneficiary fund of the Piesbyterinn Church and the pastors’ provident fluid of the Congregational Church shall be amalgamated as speedily as possible, on a basis to be determined by the General Assembly, on the recommendation of a committee representing the uniting Churches; and until amalgamation is effected the funds shall be kept distinct, and shall ho administered separately by a committee of the United Church, in terras of existing regulations, ministers having claim only on the fund wherewith they were connected at the date of the union. Article 9.—That the missionary funds of the two Churches shall he amalgamated and devoted to the support or the missions carried on hy the Presbyterian Church; but, in addition to this, provision shall be made by the General Assembly for continuing the support now given to the London Missionary Society by tho Congregational Union. ANGLICANS AND .TriTHODLSTS. The president of tho New Zealand Methodist Church {the Rev. W. Grieg) yesterday telegraphed to the Right Rev. the Bishop of Nelson “On behalf of the New Zealand Methodist Church and myself kindly accept an 'expression of high appreciation of your fraternal spirit in connection with the recent exchange of pulpits in your city.”