THE PRESBYTERY OF ……………….. – LOCAL CHURCH REVIEW [Template ‘C’]

The Presbytery of ……………...

LOCAL CHURCH REVIEW

PACK

Template ‘C’

CONTENTS

PAGE
1 / INTRODUCTION AND PROCESS / 3
2 / SECTION A – WORSHIP / 5
3 / SECTION B – DISCIPLESHIP / 6
4 / SECTION C – MISSION / 8
5 / SECTION D – PASTORAL CARE / 9
6 / SECTION E – CONGREGATIONAL LIFE / 10
7 / SECTION F – USE & DEVELOPMENT OF OFFICE-BEARERS / 12
8 / SECTION G – FINANCE AND RESOURCES / 13
9 / SECTION H – FABRIC / 14
10 / SECTION I – MINISTRY SUPPORT / 15
11 / PARISH PROFILE / 16
12 / APPENDIX 1 – REPORT FROM VISITING TEAM / 18
13 / APPENDIX 2 – ACT 1, 2011 / 21
14 / APPENDIX 3 – ACT 5,2000 / 26
15 / APPENDIX 4 – ACT 12, 2007 / 29
16 / APPENDIX 5 – CHURCH OF SCOTLAND LAW DEPARTMENT CIRCULAR - CHARITIES AND TRUSTEE INVESTMENT (SCOTLAND) ACT 2005 – REMUNERATION FOR SERVICES / 33
17 / APPENDIX 6 – BRIBERY ACT 2010 GUIDELINES
BRIBERY AND PROCUREMENT POLICY / 34
18 / APPENDIX 7 – ACTION PLAN SUMMARY / 35

INTRODUCTION AND PROCESS

Local Church Review (LCR) was enacted by the General Assembly in 2011 (Act 1 2011) and replaces the Superintendence Quinquennial Visitation programme as the Presbytery’s process for Congregational Review. The Presbytery has the responsibility for conducting a review of every congregation in its bounds, normally every five years.

The object of LCR is:

  • to encourage the congregation.
  • to facilitate the congregation in setting out their priorities and plans for the next five years.
  • to support the congregation as it begins to execute their plans following the completion of the review.

There are several stages to the LCR process:

  1. The church is requested to complete a questionnaire. This provides the Visiting Team with the congregation’s own account of its story.
  2. The Visiting Team meets with the church, to identify desired changes and goals for the next five years.
  3. The Visiting Team compiles a report and submits it to the Superintendence Committee.
  4. The report is sent to the Minister and Session Clerk of the congregation being reviewed, with an opportunity to discuss the report before it is finalised.
  5. Final report is agreed with representatives of the Congregation and the Visiting Team.
  6. LCR Team Member is assigned to provide ongoing support through the following five-year time frame.

LCR PROCESS FLOWCHART

SECTION A – WORSHIP

  1. What worship opportunities are there during the week?

  1. What different forms of worship do you use: Who leads this worship and how will this develop in the near future? (include any midweek forms of worship).

  1. How are people in the congregation encouraged to participate in worship?

  1. What changes have you seen in people attending church each week, eg demographics.

  1. Give an example of how your worship is accessible to all (eg children, disabilities, language, culture)

  1. In what way does Act V, 2000 (Sacrament of Baptism) enable you to engage with the community?

  1. Describe the ways that you offer Communion to the entire worshipping community.

SECTION B – DISCIPLESHIP

  1. How is the responsibility of the Minister and Kirk Session for the Christian Education of adults within the congregation being exercised, and how could this be developed?
    What resources have been used?

  1. How are you encouraging and supporting growth in faith at every stage?

  1. What wider opportunities are there in the life of the congregation for Christian service?

TO BE COMPLETED BY THE VISITING TEAM

The Church of Scotland

Presbytery of ______

For Congregation ______

Questionnaire for use in Presbytery Visits to Congregations

The Protection of Vulnerable Groups

YES / NO
1. / Is the Church’s Policy Statement on the Protection of Vulnerable Groups displayed prominently on church premises and/orbeen made accessible to the congregation in other ways?
2. / Is there currently in place a Co-ordinator for Safeguarding in the Protection of Vulnerable Groups appointed by the Kirk Session?
3. / Has the name of the current Co-ordinator been passed to the Church of Scotland’s Safeguarding Office for inclusion in the National Register of Co-ordinators?
4. / Has the name of the current Co-ordinator been passed to the Presbytery Co-ordinator?
5. / Has the current Co-ordinator undergone training by a trainer accredited by the Church’s Safeguarding Office?
6. / Has the Kirk Session appointed two or more others to work with the Co-ordinator in operating a Safeguarding Protection Panel?
7. / Are all appointments of voluntary workers with the Vulnerable Groups reported to, and minuted by, the Kirk Session?
8. / Is a register of all voluntary workers with the Vulnerable Groups maintained by the Kirk Session?
9. / If so, has this been inspected and found to be up to date and in order?
10. / Are all completed application forms, job descriptions and other schedules retained on file?
11. / If so, have these been viewed and found to be in order?
12. / Have all volunteers been encouraged to undergo training in the procedures for working with Vulnerable Groups?
13. / Have all volunteers been made aware of the procedures to be followed in the event of a disclosure/declaration of abuse?

SECTION C – MISSION

  1. In what ways is the congregation currently involved in the life of the community, listening to its needs and responding?

  1. How did you determine what the needs of the community were?

  1. How do you see your community changing, and what plans are in place to respond?

  1. In what way does the congregation, or people from it, take part in joint ventures or partnerships with other Church of Scotland congregations?

  1. In what way does the congregation, or people from it, take part in joint ventures or partnerships with congregations of other denominations?

  1. What people and organisations make use of the church buildings? Describe ways in which you have taken steps to build relationships with them?

  1. How are members encouraged to share and assume responsibility in the wider work of the Church, both in Scotland and in the World?

SECTION D – PASTORAL CARE

  1. What provision is made for pastoral care?

  1. What training has been offered in the last two years to the Team/Group, Elders and anyone else involved in pastoral care?

SECTION E – CONGREGATIONAL LIFE

  1. What change have you noticed in your congregation’s profile, and is this representative of the wider community?

  1. List your organisations and who they are for.

Activity / Group / Frequency / Aimed at? / Typical Attendance / Primary Purpose
Housegroup / Weekly / Members / 12 / D, E
Please complete thetable to show the approximate numbers attending church activities (ie not community groups that are only using the building) at any time in a typical week (Sundays or weekdays but not, for example, during a holiday club). Indicate the main purpose(s) of the activity from the list below (please do not select more than two).
The first row has been filled in as an example only.
A Community Service
B Fellowship / social
C Outreach
D Prayer
E Teaching / education
F Worship
  1. What changes have you observed in the congregation and how are you responding?

  1. How do you help people to develop relationships with one another?

SECTION F – USE & DEVELOPMENT OF OFFICE-BEARERS

  1. What opportunities are there for continuing development for office-bearers?

  1. In what ways are non office-bearers involved in leadership?

  1. When was the last time you reviewed your leadership structure? What criteria did you use?

SECTION G – FINANCE AND RESOURCES

  1. Given the circumstances of your congregation, how have you prioritised your work?

  1. How has a Stewardship Campaign helped your congregation’s attitude towards giving?

  1. How have you worked in partnership with others to achieve what you could not do on your own?

SECTION H – FABRIC

  1. What was the date of the last inspection of the church and manse, and how do you comply?

Place an X on the scale to indicate how well your buildings are used during the week.
______
Not used In use
at all every day
Is there any other community space available in your parish?
  1. Describe how the buildings support the worship and mission of this congregation.

  1. What have you identified as any foreseeable changes or developments in the community, which would alter the demand or need for the existing buildings?

  1. Please comment on the ways in which the church buildings and technology ensure equality of access and participation for all members of the community, eg disabled access.

SECTION I – MINISTRY SUPPORT

  1. In what ways does the Kirk Session support and encourage the Minister and Ministry Team?

  1. If you had a paid Ministry Team (Minister with assistance), how are priorities set for each member of staff and how do you develop relationships among them?

PARISH PROFILE

Town / Village and Parish
Population
Geographical Location
Housing
Schools and Chaplaincies
Nursing/Care Homes or Sheltered Housing
Church buildings and facilities

Please use this page if you require more space for any of your answers or any additional information you wish to submit

Section / Question No. / Comment

APPENDIX 1

Presbytery of ______

Superintendence sub-committee

Local Church Review

5 yearly visits

Report from Visiting Team

Representatives from the congregation will meet with superintendence convener and the visitation team after the visit to discuss the final report from the visit.

It would therefore be helpful if teams included in their report facts/comments learned from the questionnaire completed by the congregation before the visit and the knowledge and experience they gained during the visit.

Congregation:
Minister contacted and process outlined / Date:
Key Office-bearers appointed / Name / Designation
Team met with Key Office-bearers / Date:
a)Process explained in detail / Date:
b)Dates of visits confirmed / Date:
Visit
a)What has gone well in past three years?
b)What challenges have there been and what has been difficult?
c)Congregation’s strengths
d)Congregation’s weaknesses
e)How has the life and work of the congregation developed since last visit?
f)Response to the statistical information received
g)Does the congregation understand its role in the Presbytery Plan?
h)Identify changes that may take place in the congregation and parish in the next three years.
i)Commendations: Superintendence will pass relevant good news stories to the Mission & Discipleship Committee.
j)Plan of Action with a timetable for the action agreed (Appendix 6).

Highlight significant points under each of the following headings:

  1. Worship

  1. Discipleship

  1. Mission

  1. Pastoral Care

  1. Congregational Life

  1. Use and Development of Office-bearers

  1. Finance

  1. Fabric and Resources

  1. Ministry Support

Team member who will encourage and support the congregation
Name
Telephone
Email
Congregational Contact
Name
Telephone
Email

APPENDIX 2

ACT 1, 2011 ANENT LOCAL CHURCH REVIEW

Edinburgh, 21 May 2011, Session 1

The General Assembly, with the consent of a majority of Presbyteries, hereby enact and ordain as follows:

  1. The Presbytery shall conduct a review of every congregation in the Presbytery, normally once every five years. This is without prejudice to the right and responsibility of the Presbytery to make other superintendence visits as it deems necessary.
  1. The object of the review by members of the Presbytery is to give counsel and encouragement to the congregation; to facilitate the congregation in setting out their priorities and plans for at least the next five years; and where anything unsatisfactory is found in the state of the congregation or not in accord with church law and order they shall give advice or take supportive or remedial action.
  1. The review may be conducted as two separate exercises (and if appropriate by different representatives of the Presbytery), for the purposes of sections 4 and 5 below.
  1. The Presbytery shall satisfy itself on the following matters and any other matters relating to the implementation of the law of the Church and the deliverances of the General Assembly: (To aid the Visiting Team initial information on these areas should be provided by the congregation as part of the advance information sent to the Visiting Team before the visits begin)

a)the administration of the Sacrament of Baptism to infants in accordance with Act V, 2000;

b)whether office-bearers are representative of the congregation’s life, for example in terms of age and gender;

c)whether the congregation’s current form of constitution serves its future mission;

d)whether the employment status of members of staff , the formal relationships among them and the prioritisation of work amongst them serves the congregation’s mission effectively;

e)compliance by the Kirk Session with the church law and civil law relating to Safeguarding;

f)compliance with those provisions of Act XII 2007 regarding the provision and maintenance of manses;

g)implementation of the findings of the most recent property surveys;

  1. The Presbytery shall undertake a review of the work of the congregation and an exploration of the future direction of the mission of the congregation using guidance materials provided by the Mission and Discipleship Council. The purpose of the review is to establish:

a)The congregation’s own analysis of its purpose and vision for the future: this should include all aspects of the church’s work as defined by that congregation, including worship, service, fellowship, discipleship, evangelism, social outreach, congregational life, Christian education, finance, fabric, and ministries support in relation to the local, national and international mission of the Church.

b)The nature of the working relationships amongst office-bearers, and between the office-bearers and the minister.

c)The values that shape and direct the life of the congregation.

d)How the life and work of the congregation has developed since the last review.

e)What challenges have been encountered, and how these have been or can be dealt with.

f)How the congregation plans to implement its vision for the future.

g)What resources the congregation needs for its development, change and growth, and the source of such resources.

  1. The process of review shall involve the production of an action plan for the congregation expressing a vision of the local church for its mission over at least the next five years, taking account of the resources available and the current Presbytery Plan.
  1. The review shall include a visit by a team appointed by the Presbytery to the local church, where they will meet with members of the ministry team, elders and other representative members of the congregation.
  2. The structure of the review by the Presbytery representatives shall reflect the needs of the local church. It may include more than one visit, different meetings with different groups, follow-up meetings, separate meetings with the minister, separate meetings with office bearers and such other meetings as it considers necessary. The leader of the Visiting Team or his or her duly appointed deputy shall take the chair at all aforementioned meetings.
  1. In all cases the Visiting Team (or teams) shall submit a full report (or reports) to the Superintendence Committee of the Presbytery and to the minister and Kirk Session. The Visiting Team shall make every effort to agree the terms of its report with the Kirk Session, and shall indicate in the submitted report any outstanding areas of disagreement. The report shall narrate the current circumstances of the congregation, the intentions and plans of the minister and Kirk Session, the action plan referred to in section 6 and make recommendations for action and support by the Presbytery, and a time-table for subsequent superintendence and congregational action.
  1. The Superintendence Committee shall, after due and careful consideration of the report of the Visiting Team, submit a final Report to the Presbytery with its findings and a note of any comments received from the minister or Kirk Session. The minister or Kirk Session or any other party having an interest shall have the right to be heard by the Superintendence Committee and/or the Presbytery when the report is being dealt with by either body.
  1. Once approved by the Presbytery, the Superintendence Committee shall forward a copy of the report to other relevant Committees of the Presbytery mentioned as part of the report’s recommendations for action and support.
  1. In the event of the Presbytery finding itself unable to express satisfaction with the state of any congregation, it shall instruct the Superintendence Committee to make further inquiry and to endeavour to remedy what is deemed to be unsatisfactory. If, after this further enquiry, the Presbytery finds that it is still unable to express satisfaction, it shall proceed under Act I, 1988.
  1. In the case of a Single Congregation Local Ecumenical Partnership (LEP) and Churches in Covenanted Partnership, which are recognised by the National Sponsoring Body for Local Ecumenical Partnerships (NSBLEP), an Ecumenical review in the form approved by the NSBLEP on 14 March 2008 shall be deemed to fulfil the requirements of this Act for the Church of Scotland. For the avoidance of doubt this is without prejudice to the general right and responsibility of the Presbytery to exercise superintendence in other ways, and it is without prejudice to the requirement of the regulations of any other denomination which is a partner in the same LEP.
  1. The Presbytery shall have the ability to develop the process to fit its own needs, provided only that the requirements set out in this Act are fulfilled.

Consequential Amendments

  1. The following Acts and Regulations are hereby repealed or amended:

a)Act II 1984 is hereby repealed.

b)Act III 2000 s.39 is hereby amended by the deletion of the words “Act II 1984 anent Presbytery Visits (as amended)” and the substitution of the words “Act XXX 2011 anent Local Church Review”.

c)Act VI 2002 s.2 is hereby amended by the deletion of the words “Act II 1984 anent (as amended)” and the substitution of the words “Act XXX 2011”