Charge

Scope Note: A charge is a sphere of pastoral duty fulfilled by a person authorised by a presbytery and centred on one or more congregations. A charge is created by a presbytery declaration immediately following: a) the declaration of the formation of a congregation; or b) the linking of congregations to form a linked charge; or c) the severing of this link to form separate congregations. A charge has the status of: a) a Pastoral Charge: a charge normally fulfilled by one or more ministers called by its congregation or congregations and inducted into it by the presbytery; or b) an Appointment Charge: a charge normally fulfilled by a minister or licentiate appointed to it by the presbytery; or c) a Home Mission Charge: a charge normally fulfilled by a minister, licentiate or a person accredited by the Ministry Development Committee according to its regulations as a home missionary appointed to it by the presbytery; or d) a Church Plant Charge: a charge normally fulfilled by a minister or licentiate accredited by the Church Planting Committee according to its regulations as a church planter appointed to it by the presbytery. A charge is self-sustaining if it can meet the requirements for the settlement of a minister by call and induction without a grant from the funds of the General Assembly. Otherwise it is aid-receiving.

Declaration of status 1 A presbytery declares a charge to have the status of a pastoral charge when it is satisfied that: a) the area requires the settlement of a minister; and b) there are sufficient communicants adequately organised to exercise the right and responsibility of issuing a call; and c) the financial requirements for settlement can and will be met by each congregation concerned; or sufficient financial aid will be available from the funds of the General Assembly. 2 A presbytery declares a charge to have the status of an appointment charge when it is satisfied that: a) the circumstances of a pastoral charge have so changed that it can no longer retain that status and the presbytery judges the change to be temporary; or b) a charge subsidy from the Ministry Development Committee, or a sustentation grant from the Maintenance of the Ministry Committee, has been granted to a vacant pastoral charge to provide minimum terms of settlement; or c) the circumstances of a home mission charge or church plant charge have so changed that it is likely to reach the capacity for a pastoral charge; or d) it would be in the best interests of the charge. 3 A presbytery declares a charge to have the status of a home mission charge when it is satisfied that: a) the circumstances of a pastoral or appointment charge have so changed that it can no longer retain that status and the presbytery judges this change likely to be lasting; or b) the change of status is necessary for the charge to receive particular assistance and intervention from the Ministry Development Committee to strengthen and renew it; or c) it would be in the best interests of the charge. 4 A presbytery declares a charge to have the status of a church plant charge when it is satisfied that: a) a suitably qualified person is available for appointment to the charge; and b) the financial requirements can be met; and c) the appointee can be provided for adequately, either by resolution of the Church Planting Committee or otherwise.

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