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During our time together in Auckland in March, it was really moving to hear how Rob McIntosh's devotion, and the reflections of others - such as Rev’s Micah Tang, Ryhan Prasad, and Arona Tusega - have shaped the Council’s understanding of journeying with God. The focus on abiding in Jesus, as seen in John 15:5-8, really seems to bring together key themes about partnership with God. The foundation of prayer and Scripture, which Rev Arona Tusega mentioned, paired with the continuous relationship with Jesus throughout the day, reinforces that walking with God is an ongoing, daily choice.
The idea of the four common, but ultimately mistaken postures toward God from “With” by Skye Jethani —Under God, For God, From God, and Over God—is a compelling framework. Each posture reflects a different misunderstanding of the relational dynamic between humans and God. It’s easy to fall into any of those traps, especially in a world that pressures us to either perform, control, or seek validation. The call to partner with God, is a humbling and empowering shift. It moves us from transactional thinking about God to a deeper, more trusting relationship where we recognise that God is with us in all things.
The example of Martin Luther King Jr. that Jethani references is profound. King’s testimony of faith and fearlessness, especially in the face of such danger, is a powerful reminder of the kind of trust in God that we are called to emulate. King’s final speech—declaring that he was "not worried about anything" and "not fearing any man"—speaks volumes about the depth of his confidence in God's sovereignty and presence. It’s a vivid example of what it means to walk with God, even in the most perilous circumstances.
Our reflections show that while the correct posture is to partner with God, the reality is that it’s not always easy. Fears, insecurities, rational thinking, and the temptation to control can all create barriers to that deep, ongoing connection with Jesus. It's a continual process of surrender and trust, just like we see in Martin Luther King Jr.’s life.
It’s already been quite the journey for Council this year, and we’re only in April. No doubt it’s been a full and faithful season across the life of our Church as well. There is much to be grateful and thankful for as we continue to seek Christ’s vision for what the Church is and can be. As you read through our report, COA invites you to give prayerful attention to the following key areas:
- Audit and Risk Committee: This work is critical for the health and transparency of our Church. We encourage you to stay engaged and play your part in ensuring this area remains robust and effective.
- General Assembly: We urge each presbytery to ensure commissioners are appointed and sent. We are one body in Christ—seven presbyteries, yes, but united in mission and purpose.
- Te Kāhui Whanaungatanga: This group continues to pursue ways we can live into more meaningful relationships within the Church. The focus is on adaptive, responsive approaches that serve our shared future, rather than rigid structural changes.
- Uniting Congregations of Aotearoa New Zealand (UCANZ): Important conversations are happening regarding the current model. It’s becoming increasingly clear that the current framework may not be the way forward for expressing ecumenical relationships in our unique Aotearoa context.
- Nominating Committee: Our committees play a vital role in the life and function of our Church. Please consider how you or someone in your community might contribute — your help in resourcing these spaces is deeply needed and appreciated.
As we celebrated the risen Christ, and as I write this we head into ANZAC weekend, may we continue to rest in the love of Christ. May we trust him in all our work, surrendering our decisions to him and not leaning on our own strength, and may we continue to partner with God in all things.
Yours in Christ
Kat Solomona
Convenor
Council of Assembly
APPENDIX A: Key Decisions by Council and considerations
Audit and Risk Committee
- The Audit and Risk Committee is working hard with our auditors and charities on our consolidation.
- Council agreed that its regular Risk Register and report would be forwarded to the Audit and Risk Committee so they can fulfil that aspect of their role and function.
- The Financial Consolidation process continues to be challenging. With 411 sets of accounts to consolidate, and some of these not being submitted on time or at all, there are significant workstreams as a result and the need to seek time extensions from Charities Services.
- The Audit and Risk Committee have discerned a possible change to the current consolidation process and have shared this with our auditors and Charities Services and are awaiting their response. If accepted, this would markedly simplify the process nationally – while having the potential to require some requirements for local congregations. We await advice before we can share further.
- The Resource Sub-committee convenor was asked to remind churches that failure to submit their accounts to Charities Services may impact their ability to apply for grants and funding, depending on the funder
General Assembly review Group
- Council is grateful to this group and things are progressing well.
- Council would like to encourage all our presbyteries to please send a full quota of Commissioners to attend the upcoming Assembly. As with any Assembly, there are important matters from committees and workgroups for us to discuss and discern and decide upon. We encourage you to prayerfully consider being part of this important event in our life together. It is an opportunity for us to be together.
- Concern was expressed at a possible focus on reducing cost. However, the primary brief for the review group had been to make recommendations to strengthen General Assembly. This would include encouraging engagement by churches, in which cost may be a factor.
Te Kāhui Whanaungatanga
- Working group continues to see the importance of meaningful consultation with our Church, offering multiple ways for everyone to be part of the discussion and discernment of the way forward.
- In their consultation encounters they have strongly sensed God’s Spirit at work in our Church with strategic issues of relationality resonating with people’s interest and experience.
- Read their complete report to Council here.
Uniting Congregations of New Zealand (UCANZ)
- The Moderator Designate, Assembly Executive Secretary, and Council Convenor will be attending the UCANZ Forum over King’s Birthday weekend. This forum is an opportunity to acknowledge current realities, and to engage in a conversation together that has the potential to open us to possibilities for how we move forward – both separately, and together.
- Council believes the current model of UCANZ is not the way forward for ecumenical relationships to be expressed within Aotearoa New Zealand and that wide ranging conversations are required.
Nominating Committee
- Council notes that there continues to be a number of gaps within our Church and the lack of people available to serve us at various levels – especially at national level for committees and workgroups.
- Council has been working with the Nominating Committee seeking ways to strengthen this process by exploring the following:
Greater communication including profile for each committee and skillset required.
Roles and responsibilities of each committee member.
Clear time commitment information and encouragement for committees etc to meet at times which allow great lay participation – especially of younger people. Council notes with greater electronic communication tools we need to ensure we use these to widen the potential involvement of our generations.
Designing a mentoring model and succession planning for our young people if they join a committee.
Each committee convenor to have a ‘how to guide’ to run, facilitate, engage, encourage - both relational and cultural - for the portfolio they serve.
Separating out the Historic Abuse in Care (addressing the survivor) from our discipline process found in the Book of Order – Chapter 15
- Council believes it would be wise to clearly separate these processes and as the result have two different people leading these. Our Survivors Advisory Group of Experts are providing input into this.
- This will be shared with the Book of Order Advisory Committee for their feedback, wisdom and consideration.
- We hope this will come to our May meeting for decision.
- Should this be confirmed, Council will then move to advertise two roles to attend to these workstreams with the hope of a June/July start date.
Survivors Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE)
- Draft Terms of Reference for this group were approved by Council.
- Actively working to refine the redress process from the survivors’ lenses. They are currently assisting the Council on matters relating to the Church’s public apology.
- In early May, they will meet with Moderator of General Assembly Rt Rev Rose Luxford, Moderator Designate Rev Peter Dunn, Moderator Te Aka Puahou Rev Tamiana Thrupp and Moderator Pasifika Presbytery Rev Arona Tusega to walk through a proposal and gather feedback on how we strengthen the apology for all our survivors before this is considered further by Council.
Meeting with Presbyterian Support Otago and Southland
- Moderator of General Assembly Rt Rev Rose Luxford, Moderator Designate Rev Peter Dunn, AES Rev Wayne Matheson, Council of Assembly Deputy Convenor Rev Roxy Gahegan and Convenor Kat Solomona will attend huis with both the Boards of Presbyterian Support Otago and Presbyterian Support Southland in late April/early May.
- The Church has publicly committed to ‘closing gaps between the Church, affiliated social service agencies, and affiliated schools to work together to make the process to be heard and seek justice as uncomplicated and no-retraumatising as possible’. This is the beginning of that journey.
- An opportunity to korero on how we work together with the recommendations from the Royal Commission findings and how we break bread together.
Assembly Executive Secretary succession planning
A draft job description was forwarded to presbytery councils for comment and this is currently being considered. Once finalised Council* will:
- Set up a team to lead the recruitment process for a replacement Assembly Executive Secretary and confirm timelines etc.
- This will include advertising, short listing, interviewing, in order to bring a recommendation to Council.
*(It is the General Assembly that appoints the Assembly Executive Secretary and any recommendation will come from Council to the Assembly.)
Providing additional support to the Assembly Executive Secretary role going forward
- The Assembly Executive Secretary succession planning has identified areas of risk for the Church, especially when the AES is either on leave or not immediately available.
- Council believes such human resource support could also serve the Council with meeting planning, minute taking etc, and also provide similar support for the Resource Sub-committee and Leadership Sub-committee.
- This role will ensure the efficient functioning of the executive office while overseeing daily operations and supporting key projects.
Survey of Parish Life: Support
- Council had agreed to consider, reflect on, and discuss the paper ‘A Survey of Parish Life 2025’ by Dr Margaret Gault.
- Council has set up a team to work together to prepare some draft key dialogue questions for GA25… so watch this space.
Presbytery Responses to Workstreams and Council Priorities
- Our goal is to align national core services and improve co-operation between presbyteries and the Assembly Office.
- We heard from the presbyteries that:
- We need to be working together, which included improved communications, and congregational networking.
- We need to be more supporting and resourcing mission, which included working with congregations without ministers, new ventures (Forge), engaging with communities of faith, and developing leaders.
Other areas of general concerns - improving financial direction and addressing building issues.
- COA is determined to bridge this gap on how we mahi tahi together with more collaborating and sharing resources.
