Assembly Key Directions

Twelfth Assembly, Uniting Church in Australia, July 2009

 

09.06 Assembly Key Directions

Believing that God is calling us to fresh obedience to be the people of God in Australia at this time, in the coming triennium to:

 

(a) continue working with the UAICC:

 

(i) towards finding new and effective expressions of  the covenant between the UAICC and other parts of the Uniting Church;
(ii) in seeking reconciliation between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and other Australians;
(iii) to seek ways that enable the contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander spirituality to be received in the life of the church;
(iv) to encourage individual members of the Uniting Church to develop long term working relationships alongside indigenous people; and
(v) in community services as an act of practical reconciliation;

 

(b) engage in Jesus’ ministry of peacemaking within the world and the church by:

 

  • developing resources that will assist our members and councils to develop skills and strategies to live together in peace in a multicultural, cross-cultural and diverse UCA;
  • seeking closer unity with other churches;
  • deepening relationships with churches in Asia, the Pacific, Southern Africa and Councils of Churches;
  • working with people of other faiths to promote mutual respect and understanding;
  • helping our members learn to live and act as peacemakers, as taught and modelled by Jesus;
  • protecting and promoting human rights;
  • fostering respect for God’s creation and the goal of living in harmony with the environment; and
  • fostering equity and reconciliation within the Australian community;

 

(c) in consulation with other Council of the Church;

 

(i)
support and nurture a passion for evangelism, discipleship formation and leadership development;
(ii)
emphasise spiritual development and faith-sharing, providing young people with opportunities to lead; and
(iii)
explore new expressions of mission and Christian community and the renewal of existing forms.

 

(d) commit to:

 

(i)
the articulation of our doctrine in a way that communicate clearly to our members;
(ii)
articulate and celebrate our identity as the Uniting Church in Australia;
(iii) the education of our members to better know, own and share their faith; and
(iv) encourage a conversation as to what we need to be as a church;

 

(e) critically evaluate the polity and governance of the church with a view to reducing the level of prescription, particularly for young people, increasing the level of active encouragement and enhancing the capability of Councils of the church to hear and respond to current missional imperatives.