Stationing Committee, in 2022, faced the very rare scenario of having more presbyters available for Stationing than parishes. Mission Resourcing continued to facilitate conversations working with parishes who did not go on stationing due to financial constraints. Continuous Stationing process required funding assistance for new initiatives and ministry partnerships between synods and parishes. This allowed appointments for most of the presbyters on Stationing.

Although the tides have quickly turned this year, strategies are in place to ensure that parishes ranked as ‘Critical for Mission’ and ‘Strategic for Future’ are prioritized and offered assistance for appointments.

The Mission Resourcing team continues our Road Show this year, to discuss with synods how best to work together in resourcing parishes and congregations for mission and ministry. The Stationing process is one of the key issues we wish to discuss and clarify with presbyters, parishes and congregations. It takes time to reach all synods and given our experience of the need to assist the church with Stationing matters, we wish to share the timeline and main points in the process, as stipulated on the Tauiwi Stationing Manual.

Step 1) By March 20: Advise Synod Superintendents and General Secretary of Movements

All parishes and presbyters seeking a change of appointment must inform their Synod Superintendent and the General Secretary by 20 March.

The Synod Superintendent will inform Mission Resourcing as soon as possible.

Step 2) By May 29: Stationing Profiles

All parishes and presbyters seeking a change of appointment must complete a Stationing Profile form. The completed form must be in the hands of the Synod Superintendent no later than 22 May and forwarded on to Mission Resourcing by 29 May.

As soon as possible after the due date theMission Resourcing Administrator will post the profiles to parishes and presbyters.

Step 3) Possible Matches

Please read and study all the profiles carefully, and then in consultation with your Synod Superintendent, identify up to four parishes / presbyters that you feel are a good match (a maximum of four).

Step 4) September 18 - 20: Tauiwi Stationing Meeting

The purpose of the Tauiwi Stationing Meeting is to match the parishes and presbyters on the Stationing Sheet for a face-to-face meeting (Provisional Matching), which considers all the information received including the possible matches, stationing profiles, Synod Strategies, lifting, etc.

Step 5) October 24: Face-to-Face Meetings

The meeting is conducted on the basis that this is the best possible match for the presbyter and parish. The parish and their Synod Superintendent should work in consultation with the presbyter and their Synod Superintendent to organize a mutually agreed date, time and venue for the meeting. All face-to-face meetings must be completed no later than 24 October.

Step 6) The Stationing Sheet will be approved by the Conference at its Annual Conference 8 – 11 November 2023.

Step 7) November - December: Arrangements for Moving if required.

Immediately following Conference, Connexional Office staff will make contact with presbyters who are moving to make the necessary arrangments.

Step 8) January - Ministry Covenant

A Covenant needs to be drawn up for part-time, supply and self-supporting ministries. This document helps ensure that both parties (presbyter and parish) know what is expected of each other in their new appointment.

Details can be found on the Tauiwi Stationing Manual (Stationing Process & Timeframe 2023) on the Methodist Church / Mission Resourcing website.

www.methodist.org.nz/assets/DownloadsFiles/Tauiwi-Stationing-Manual-2023.pdf

We welcome questions and enquiries, while we are currently working on completing preparations for the Tauiwi Stationing Meeting in September.

Malo ‘aupito 

Setaita T. Taumoepeau K. Veikune, Director Mission Resourcing