In the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand the secretary to the church council is no longer necessarily called the session clerk, and the essential duties laid down are only those of keeping minutes and providing extracts if required. However the role still has the potential to be that of a key leadership position in the congregation. The flexibility is important, but it is also necessary to work out who is responsible for what. It may not be fixed the way it was, but people still need to know what is expected of them.
The new Book of Order (2008) also allows for greater flexibility in how a congregation may organise itself. Chapter 7 deals with Church councils which may take a number of forms.
1. A congregation must organise a church council to be its governing body.
2. A church council may be constituted by
a. a session
and a board of managers, or
b. a session
and a deacons’ court, or
c. a session
or parish council that combines the functions of a session and either a board of
managers or deacons’ court.
3. Despite subsection (2) a congregation may, with the approval of its presbytery, organise its church council in any other way that the members and associate members consider appropriate for their circumstances.
Note:
Members of a session are elders - people who are ordained and who commit to supporting the teaching of the church and sharing in the leadership of the congregation.
Members of a deacon's court are also ordained. This is more common in the area served by the Synod of Otago and Southland.
Members of a Board of Managers and a Parish Council do not need to be ordained elders, though both of these would be expected to included some elders in their membership.
How has the role been defined in the past?
St Margaret's Presbyterian Church, Christchurch
"Session (the elders of the Church) meet monthly at the church. The Session Clerk keeps a list of the members of the Session, take minutes of its proceedings, and take charge of its papers, books and documents."
Paul Flarry, St John's Hamilton (Scotland)
"As Session Clerk I am required to ensure that all matters laid down by the General Assembly for the proper conduct of the Kirk Session are carried out and properly recorded. Also to carry out any duties required by and for the Kirk Session and to work closely with . . . our Minister in the administration and overall running of the church."
Presbytery of New Jersey Bylaws: Clerk of Session check-list - a reminder of the culture most churches in New Zealand now seek to avoid (but have we gone to far?)
Church of Scotland Kirkweb - also a reminder of a culture many New Zealanders no longer relate to.