Way Forward framework to be further refined; Conference dropped

At its June meeting, the General Church Board (GCB) and the College of Bishops (CoB) resolved to remove the Conference component from the Way Forward proposed framework. The decision was made after hearing the concerns of church members about the Conference.

‘This is all about listening and responding, both to the people of the Church and to the word of the Lord,’ LCANZ Bishop Paul Smith said. ‘Our Way Forward team has responded to the feedback about the proposed framework model, to address concerns that a “Conference” concept would not achieve the aims it was designed for. Three key working groups of the Way Forward Project (Theological, Constitutional and Governance) were asked to further develop a way for us to operate as one church with two practices of ordination, faithful to the Lord and his Word.’

A key principle in the revised framework is respect for all, no matter what their belief about the ordination of both women and men. In the proposal to go to General Synod, there are likely to be commitments by the Church, some enshrined in the constitution, to ensure that congregations, pastors and laypeople will be free to call any pastor they choose; there will be no obligation or expectation to have a woman on the call list.

‘This is the work that has been asked for by a resolution of our delegates gathered for Convention in Melbourne last year,’ Bishop Paul Smith said. ‘Those delegates called for a church framework where we can work side by side in the cause of the gospel of our Lord, providing for the different understandings of some parts of Scripture among us.’

The Way Forward team continues to refine the framework, for presentation to the July meeting of GCB/CoB, when it is anticipated that it will be finalised and approved for publication in the General Synod Book of Reports.

Opportunities to learn more about the framework will be provided through district-based gatherings during August and September.