1
CHURCH OF ENGLAND IN SOUTH AFRICA
Operating as
REFORMED EVANGELICAL ANGLICAN CHURCH OF SOUTH AFRICA
(REACH SA)
HANDBOOK OF PROCEDURES
2014
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this Handbook is to assist Churches and ministers to answer the basic question “How do we ….?” in any situation that may arise in the congregation. Many of the questions which are routinely directed to the Administrative Officer or Bishops could easily be answered from this book. I trust that you will use it and find it helpful in facilitating the smooth running of your Church.
The pages that follow represent a compilation of decisions taken over the years by various Synods of the Church. Where it is necessary the date of the Synod when the decision was taken is given at the end of each section. However it must be remembered that this is merely a Handbook. The final authoritative document will always remain the Constitution of the Church of England in South Africa operating as the Reformed Evangelical Anglican Church of South Africa, which enshrines the Doctrines, Standards and Norms contained in the Book of Common Prayer of 1662.
(Rev.) B.D. Cameron
Administrative Officer
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTIONPage 2
DISTINCTIVESPage 10
CHAPTER 1
BASIC INFORMATION ABOUT REACH SA
Page
1. The Constitution of C.E.S.A13
2. Operating Name of the denomination13
3. The Structure of the Denomination 13
4. Who belongs to REACH SA? 14
5. What happens when a member moves?14
6. Admission to Holy Communion 14
7. Special Sundays and Days 14
8. Marriage & Re-Marriage 15
9. Funerals, Cremations and
Memorial Services 15
10. Issuing Public Statements 16
11. Training of Lay People16
12.Ordination Policy17
13. Curates19
14. The Role of Women19
15. Retirement Age20
16. Missions & Missionaries20
17. Relationship between REACH SA
and Para-church Organisations22
CHAPTER 2
HOW REACH SA RUNS ITSELF
Page
1. Diocesan Structure 23
2. Synod 23
3. Office Bearers 24
3.1 Bishops 24
3.2 Presiding Bishop 24
3.3 Area Bishops 25
3.4 Chancellor 25
3.5 National Treasurer 25
3.6 Executive Committee 26
3.7 Administrative Staff 26
3.8 Central Trustees 27
4. How long may they serve? 27
5. Area Councils 27
6. Area Executive Committees 28
7. Area Finance Committees 28
8. Youth & Children’s Executive Committees 29
9. Appeals to Synod 29
CHAPTER 3
THE LOCALCHURCH
Page
1. Recognition by REACH SA 30
2. Appointing a Minister 30
3. Appointing non-ordained pastoral
Staff members 30
4. Conditions of Service 31
5. Housing/Accommodation 31
6. Licences 31
7. Minister’s Wives 32
8. Leave 32
9. Sabbatical/Study and Long leave 32
10. The Church Council and
Churchwardens 32
11. Church Workers 34
12. Church Discipline 35
13. Conduct of Services 35
14. Constitution 37
15. Membership 37
16. Annual Meetings 38
17. Church Furniture and Ornaments 38
18. Use of Church Premises 39
CHAPTER 4
FINANCIAL MATTERS
Page
- Church Finances40
- Central Funds41
- Group Schemes42
3.1 Group Insurance Scheme42
3.2 Medical Cover42
3.3 Pension and Group Life and Disability42
3.4 Building loan facilities43
4. Discretionary Funds43
5. Weddings, Funerals and Honoraria44
6. Reimbursement of Expenses45
7. Schools, Nursery Schools and Creches45
8. Money left to Church and Trust Funds47
9. Auditing Church Books of Account47
10. Remuneration Policy Guidelines48
10.1 Introduction48
10.2 Reward Philosophy48
10.3 Reward Guidelines50
10.4 Remuneration Setting and Annual Revue55
10.5 Remuneration Governance55
11. Taxation and P.B.O. Registration56
12. Rates and Taxes56
CHAPTER 5
WE WANT TO START A NEW CHURCH
Page
1. Who is responsible for Church Planting?57
2. What criteria should be used in
starting a new work?57
3. When should a minister be called? 57
4. What about a building? 58
5. Help from the denomination58
6. Recognition as a Daughter or
Constituent Church58
7. Rectory59
8. What should the new Church be called?59
9. What if the Church should close? 59
10. Mother Church Responsibilities59
10.1 Leadership60
10.2 Pastoral Oversight60
10.3 Financial Responsibility60
CHAPTER 6
POLICY DOCUMENTS
Page
1.The Charismatic Movement62
2.The Church’s Position on Homosexuality63
3.The Role of Women69
- H.I.V. and A.I.D.S. Policy document70
- Policy Statement70
- H.I.V. and A.I.D.S. Policy71 4.1 Definitions71
4.2 Introduction71
4.3 H.I.V. & A.I.D.S. & REACH SA’S Doctrinal basis 72
4.4 Non-Discrimination and Equality72
4.5 Disclosure of H.I.V & A.I.D.S.72
4.6 H.I.V. & A.I.D.S. & Employment73
4.7 Duties & Responsibilities of Employees73
4.8 Education74
4.9 A Safe Environment at REACH SA Churches 74
4.10 Interaction with other Stakeholders74
4.11 H.I.V. & A.I.D.S. Action Committee75
- Child Protection Policy77
5.1 Introduction77
5.2 Goal78
5.3 Guidelines for all churches82
5.4 Definitions 84
5.5 Policy90
5.6 Application Procedures 93
5.7 Confidentiality96
5.8 Application for all church workers97
5.9 Code of Ethics103
5.10 Guidelines for all children’s workers106
5.11 Indemnity Form123
CHAPTER 7
SAMPLE DOCUMENTS
Page
1. Draft Constitution127
2. Application for Membership137
3. Declaration of Loyalty 140
4. Letter of Transfer of Membership141
5. Letter of Appointment142
6. Employment Contracts143
6.1 Explanatory Notes143
6.2 Draft Contract for Ordained Employees147
6.3 Draft Contract for Non-Ordained Employees150
6.4 Working Hours153
7. Missions Policy Statement156
8. Sample Services163
8.1 Making of Deacons/Deaconesses164
8.2 Ordination of Presbyters167
8.3 Consecration of Bishops171
8.4 Induction of a Minister to a Congregation175
8.5 Licencing of Lay Readers177
8.6 Dedication of a New Church Building179
DISTINCTIVES
During his time as PresidingBishop, the Rt. Rev. Desmond Inglesby presented the following document describing the distinctives of the denomination. (Abridged)
The Church of England in South Africa
Introduction
The first Church of England service on record in South Africa was conducted by a Naval Chaplain in 1749. After the British occupation of the Cape in 1806, congregations were formed and churches were built.
In 1938 the Church of England in South Africa drew up its own constitution and appointed its first Bishop in 1955. In 2013 an operating name was adopted by Synod. This is the Reformed Evangelical Anglican Church of South Africa (REACH SA).
Who are we?
- We are a Word centred church.
The Bible occupies a central place in our denomination which is expressed in our motto: ‘Your word above all things’.
REACH SA is a ‘Biblical’ church. We read and preach from the scriptures every week in our services and Bible study groups.
Article 6: “Holy Scripture sets forth everything that is necessary for our salvation. Consequently, nobody should be required to believe as an article of the Christian faith, or to regard as necessary for salvation, anything that is not found in Scripture.”
Scripture and Scripture alone is the standard by which all teachings and doctrines of the church must be measured.
- We are an Evangelical church
What makes us Evangelical?
- The absolute supremacy we assign to Holy Scripture
- The depth and prominence we assign to the doctrine of human sinfulness and corruption
- The paramount importance we attach to the work and office of our Lord Jesus Christ and the nature of the salvation He has wrought for mankind.
- The high place which we assign to the inward work of the Holy Spirit in the heart of man.
- The importance we place on the outward and visible work of the Holy Spirit manifested itself in the life, conduct and behaviour of the believer in overcoming the world, the flesh and the devil i.e. the evidence of godliness and holiness.
- We are a Protestant church.
At one level being Protestant is nothing more than not being Roman Catholic.
The English word 'Protestant' comes from the Latin and is made up from two words, pro = ‘for’, and testari = ‘witness’. And it has come to mean to write or speak strongly against.
REACH SA upholds the right of every believer to read and understand the Bible for their salvation, as opposed to salvation truth being mediated by the church. We believe in the priesthood of all believers.
- We are a Reformed church
Thomas Cranmer, the Archbishop of Canterbury in the time of King Henry VIII, was able to bring Martin Luther's rediscovery of justification by faith alone into the heart of the Church of England.
REACH SA is Reformed in that it embraces and articulates the great biblical insights of Luther, Calvin and the other reformers.
These five points of doctrine were at the heart of the Reformation:
By grace alone, By faith alone, By Christ alone, By scripture alone and to the glory of God alone.
- We are a Missional church
We believe in the great commission. We are therefore evangelistic and missionary in our outlook. It is our vision ‘to bring the gospel to every man’s door’.
- We are a Confessional church
The Church of England is a church that uses confessions of faith to express the teaching of the Bible.
Article 8: The three creeds, namely the Nicene Creed, the Athanasian Creed, and what is commonly called the Apostles' Creed, should be received and believed without reservation, because they may be proved from Holy Scripture.
- We are a Covenantal church
The Church of England in South Africa can be called a covenantal church because it emphasises God’s one single covenant with his people promised to Abraham, which is a covenant not simply with individuals but with families — first with the family of Abraham, Israel, and then with gentile families adopted into the family of Abraham, especially since the coming of Christ.
The Church of England therefore practises the baptism of infants, not just adults, but requires of those infants personal reaffirmation of the Christian commitment at the years of discretion, in confirmation.
- We are an Episcopal church
The Church of England in South Africa is an Episcopal church. It values Bishops, as an ancient and well-tried form of ministry, agreeable to Scripture (though not actually required by Scripture).
Both the Presbyter and Bishop are viewed by the Prayer Book Ordinal in the New Testament way, as primarily pastors and teachers. Bishops are to exercise their role toward both clergy and laity.
- We are a Liturgical church
REACH SA is a liturgical church in that it values and uses set forms for its public services. In particular we subscribe to the theology, principles and format expressed in the 1662 Book of Common Prayer.
In practice that means that each service must be congregational and have a form and structure that includes confession of sin, praise and thanksgiving, prayer, the reading of God’s word and the preaching of God’s Word.
- We are an Anglican church
What makes anyone an Anglican?
Historically true Anglicans are those who subscribe to the 1662 Book of Common Prayer and the 39 Articles.
The 39 Articles and the 1662 Book of Common Prayer stand as the one touchstone of genuine Anglicanism.
Conclusion
Denominations are certainly not the answer to the world's ills, nor are they our last and only hope. But a denominational structure can be a valuable tool for the church to use in her mission.
A healthy denomination ultimately gives us strength. It's a home, not a prison. It allows us to share specific theological convictions, practice expressions of ministry relevant to our communities, and serve a common mission in the one thing that brings true unity: the gospel.
We believe that “Anglicanism embodies the richest, truest, wisest heritage in Christendom.”
CHAPTER 1
BASIC INFORMATION ABOUT REACH SA
- The Constitution of REACH SA
The Constitution of REACH SA is the final governing document for all denominational matters. Should there be any ambiguity between the Constitution and this Handbook then the former must prevail.
- The Operating Name of the Denomination
After a lengthy period of discussion and consultation successive Synod in 2012 and 2013 decided to introduce an operating name for the denomination. This is The Reformed Evangelical Anglican Church of South Africa (REACH SA). This is the name that is to be used in all advertising and promotion. However, it must be emphasised that this is only an operating name. The legal name of the denomination remains The Church of England in South Africa. This is the name that must be used in all legal matters such as dealings with Government Departments (e.g. S.A.RS.), Municipalities or companies that a Church will enter into any agreement with such as renting photocopiers etc.
- The Structure of the Denomination
REACH SA is a voluntary association. That means that it is made up of individual congregations who have elected to be part of the larger body. Those congregations may be either ConstituentChurches or DaughterChurches. The definition of these two types of congregations is found in Articles III and IV of the Constitution. By being members of the denomination every congregation binds itself to the Doctrines, Standards and Practices of the denomination, including all the decisions of the National Synod.
REACH SA is an Episcopal Church. Being an Episcopal Church it means that the three offices of bishops, presbyters and deacons are recognised as the norm. Bishops are appointed as the senior clergy of the Church. Their functions are detailed in Chapter 2 of this Handbook. It also means that congregations are administered by two Churchwardens and a Church Council. The way these officers are appointed is laid down in each local constitution.
REACH SA is a LiturgicalChurch. For the purposes of congregational conduct and worship two books are accepted as the norms, namely the 1662 Book of Common Prayer and the 1992 Prayer Book of the Church of England in South Africa. More is said about the use of liturgy in Chapter 3 dealing with the conduct of services.
REACH SA is a SynodicalChurch. That means that Synod is the governing body of the denomination. The functions and powers of Synod are discussed in Article VIII of the Constitution and in Chapter 2 of this Handbook. To facilitate the operation of Synod, Area Councils have been established in the Western Cape, Gauteng, KwaZulu Natal, Free State and the Eastern Cape and their powers and functions are defined in Chapter 2. Other Area Councils may also be established in different regions as the need arises.
- Who belongs to the Reformed Evangelical Anglican Church of South Africa
Application is made to a local REACH SAChurch for membership of that congregation. When accepted into membership of the local congregation a person is deemed to be a member of REACH SA. By accepting membership that person accepts the Constitution, Doctrine and Practices of the denomination (See Chapter 3 for the qualifications for membership.) However, Synod has provided that should a member move to an area of the Country where there is no local REACH SA congregation he may retain his membership of the denomination even though he may worship in a Church from another denomination
.
- What happens when a member moves?
If a member moves from one congregation to another and is still in good standing with his original congregation, he may automatically have his membership transferred. Being in good standing implies that there are no moral, doctrinal or relational doubts about amember. The new congregation is obliged to accept such a transfer. A specimen letter of transfer is included in the Sample Documents in Chapter 7.
Should a person transfer from another denomination then he must meet all the requirements of the REACH SA congregation which he is wishing to join. It is necessary, if possible, for him to obtain a Letter of Transfer from his previous Church to ensure that he is in good standing. In the same way should a REACH SA member request a transfer to another denomination a Letter of Transfer shall be given.
- Admission to Holy Communion
Since the time of the Reformation it has been the practice of the Church of England to welcome all who trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Saviour to the Lord’s Table. This is the practice ofREACH SAas well. Churches are urged to make an announcement to this effect at Communion services. They may also wish to display a suitably worded notice in the entrance to the Church.
For good order in the Church no young person may be admitted to partake of the elements at the Holy Communion service unless he has been confirmed or is spiritually prepared and wanting confirmation.
- Special Sundays and Days
There are a number of Special Sundays and days which are recognised in REACH SA These are Ascension Day (40 days after Easter); Missions Sunday (Trinity 2); Reformation Sunday (Sunday closest to 16 October) and Bible Sunday (Advent 2). The exact dates for these Sundays are published each year in the Yearbook and Lectionary. Ministers and congregations are urged to take note of these dates and include them in their programmes.
- Marriage & Re-Marriage
Not all ministers are Marriage Officers. The Department of Home Affairs of the Republic of South Africa appoints Marriage Officers. In the first instance a minister, who has been ordained as a presbyter, should approach his Area Bishop who will make a recommendation to the Administrative Officer. The necessary application will then be made to the Department who will supply the prospective Marriage Officer with material to study prior to his sitting an examination on the Marriage Act. (The pass rate is 80%) Should he be successful in passing this examination then he will be authorised by the Minister of Home Affairs to conduct marriages.
It is both the Biblical conviction and also the policy of the Church that a marriage may only be conducted between a man and a woman after suitable pre-marital counselling. No
marriage ceremony may be conducted between same sex parties. Should any minister who is a marriage officer not accept this then it is incumbent upon him to resign from the denomination. No application to be licenced to conduct Civil Unions will be entertained.
Whilst marriage is not a sacrament it is the belief of REACH SA that couples who apply for a Christian wedding ceremony should be believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. [1] The decision on whether to marry any couple is ultimately one which the minister, who has been duly appointed as a Marriage Officer, must take. Synod has not taken a position on whether the re-marriage of divorced persons is permissible. Each case ought to be considered on its merits and the advice of the Area Bishop sought in need.
It is permissible for a minister to take a wedding in a venue other than the Church where he is serving, provided the provisions of the Marriage Act are met. In the same way ministers of other Churches may conduct weddings in any REACH SA building with the permission of the local minister/Church Council.
- Funerals, Cremations and Memorial Services
Funerals and Memorial services are usually conducted by ministers but in special circumstances the Area Bishop may give permission for a suitable layman to take such a service. Particular sensitivity must be used in dealing with the bereaved. As far as possible their wishes must be taken into account. There is no objection to having the coffin of the deceased in the Church but it is advisable that any viewing of the body be done well before the service.
There is a growing tendency for people to ask for a Memorial service (with no coffin present) rather than a funeral. There is no objection to this from a Biblical point of view. However, bereavement counselling has shown that there is benefit in having the coffin present. Obviously the family’s decision must be respected in this matter.
In the same way there is no Biblical objection to the practice of cremation.
- Issuing Public Statements
Whilst individual ministers and Churches are encouraged to involve themselves in matters in the public arena and so are welcome to write to the press, for example, it must be understood that they do so in their private capacity and this must be made clear when submitting any comment for publication. Any public statements made on behalf of or in the name of the denomination must come from either the Presiding Bishop or the other Bishops, after consultation with the Presiding Bishop. They are the public officers of the Church and only they are in a position to make public statements on behalf of the Church. Should a local Church wish to make a statement about a matter in their area then the advice of the Area Bishop should be sought in advance.