Church

[What is the role of the General Secretary?]    [How does the role of the Moderator differ from that of the General Secretary?]    [What power does a General Secretary have?]    [ What are the required skills of a General Secretary?]    [ Who is the current General Secretary?]

 

Q. What is the role of the General Secretary?

A. The General Secretary of the Synod acts as the executive officer, giving general leadership and fulfilling a pastoral and advisory role.

According to the church’s regulations, the General Secretary is responsible for such things as:

• preparing all material for the agenda of the Synod meeting and attending to the proper conduct of its business;
• maintaining records and minutes
• acting as the liaison officer of the Synod with the presbyteries and other bodies;
• attending to other correspondence of the Synod;
• keeping copies of reports and other documents provided by the committees, councils and boards of the Synod;
• providing the secretarial facilities for the Standing Committee of the Synod.

The General Secretary also:

• encourages and develops the Uniting Church as a community which embraces diversity;
• relates to the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress and reminds the church of its ethos and identity as a multicultural church;
• coordinates the work of the Synod through the Synod boards and as chair of the Executive Directors’ meeting;
• implements the Synod’s strategic directions and maintain the ongoing planning function for the Synod;
• manages the resources and staff of the Synod Secretariat including oversight of Uniting Creative;
• provides sensitive pastoral oversight and coordination in all processes related to the placement of deacons, lay pastors, ministers of the word and youth workers;
• facilitates the handling of complaints, including those of sexual misconduct;
• provides pastoral support and counsel to ministers when appropriate;
• works with the Moderator to maintain active ecumenical relationships within New South Wales and the ACT;
• works with the Moderator to aid the Synod in development of its vision and managing public relations with the media, government and the community; and
• conducts assessment of appropriateness of individuals for ministry leadership.

Q. How does the role of the Moderator differ from that of the General Secretary?

A. While the role of the General Secretary is mainly to administer and support, the primary responsibility of the Moderator is “to hear and articulate a vision for the future of the Church”.

The specific duties and responsibilities of the Moderator include to:

• give general and pastoral leadership to ministers and people;
• assist and encourage the expression and fulfilment of the mission and witness of the church;
• counsel and advise to ensure that the life of the church expresses the faith, the policies, standards and procedures to which it is committed;
• preside over the meetings of the Synod, its Standing Committee and such other of its boards and committees as may be required by the by-laws of the Synod;
• give an interpretation where necessary of any doubtful or disputed decision of the Synod;
• speak on public issues on behalf of the Synod;
• represent the church on public occasions;
• administer the discipline of the church;
• inquire into any grievance, complaint or other circumstance which adversely affects the good name of the church, or the order and peace of its congregations.

Q. What power does a General Secretary have?

A. The General Secretary’s role is to advance the mission of the church by providing visionary leadership, which will involve pastoral, advisory and administrative functions.

The General Secretary has the opportunity to participate in (or delegate to associate secretaries* and other staff) many boards and committees as an ex officio member:

• Synod
• Synod Standing Committee
• Executive Directors’ Meeting (Chair)
• Advisory Committee on Ministerial Placements*
• Board of Education
• Board of Mission
• Board of UnitingCare NSW.ACT
• Uniting Resources Board

• Reception of Ministers Committee*
• Communications Committee
• Korean Commission
• Korean Commission Standing Committee
• Ministers Support Fund*
• Constitutions Committee*
• Synod Mission Resource Fund*
• Synod Fund Management Committee*
• Lay Pastors Committee*
• Synod Discipline Coordinating Committee
• Synod Arrangements Committee
• Synod Business Committee
• Assembly Standing Committee (non-voting member)

Q. What are the required skills of a General Secretary?

A. A person appointed General Secretary can be lay or ordained but is expected to have:

• a sound knowledge of the structure of the Uniting Church in Australia;

• an understanding of the Constitution and Regulations of the Uniting Church in Australia;

• an understanding of ministry in the Uniting Church;
• an ability to reflect on issues theologically;
• a high level of communication skills, both written and oral;
• proven administrative ability and organisational skills of a high order;
• strong strategic thinking, analytical and planning skills;
• an ability to manage change effectively;
• demonstrated leadership capacity operating in a team environment;
• sound pastoral care skills;
• proven liaison and negotiation skills;
• experience in and understanding of working across cultures.

Q. Who is the current General Secretary?

A. The Uniting Church Synod of New South Wales and the ACT appointed the Rev. Dr Andrew Williams as its General Secretary in April 2010.