Agenda Volume 2 - Methodist Conference

46. Authorisations Committee
Contact Name and Details
The Revd Bruce Thompson
Chair of the Authorisations Committee.
revbrucet@yahoo.co.uk
1. The Authorisations Committee has
reviewed applications from Circuits for
authorisations to preside at services
of Holy Communion where there are
insufficient ordained ministers to
make this provision, or where the new
missional criterion is met.
2. The Committee has, as always,
paid careful attention to the details
in the applications, and given due
consideration to the requests for
help. We have not rejected any
applications this year, but we did
find it necessary to seek further
information from one circuit where
the extent of deprivation was not
evident at first.
3. The Committee was particularly
grateful this year that we had the
opportunity, for the first time, to
consider applications made under
the missional criterion approved
by the Conference in 2012. We
considered five applications made
under this criterion, and we were
impressed by the quality of the
information provided in support,
which helped us immensely in our
decision-making.
4. The Committee considered a total
of 112 applications, comprising
applications in respect of 45
presbyter probationers, 3 deacons
and 64 lay people, 5 of whom are
applicants under the missional
criterion.
5. The Committee expressed concern
at the lack of clarity with regards to
the criteria applicable to diaconal
applications, and requests further
guidance from the Faith and Order
Committee about whether or not
deacons should be authorised to
preside at the Sacrament of the
Lord’s Supper. This year, in each
case, we sought guidance from the
Warden of the Diaconal Order, and
we recommend that the applications
in relation to deacons be approved
for one year only. We urge the
Conference to direct the Faith and
Order Committee to address this
issue as a matter of urgency and
to provide clear guidance to all
concerned in time for next year’s
applications.
6. The process of administration has
passed to the Governance Support
office at Methodist Church House
this year and this will continue
for the future. Separate revised
application forms are now available
for authorisation of probationer
presbyters, deacons, lay persons,
missional applications and renewals.
These will be available to District
Chairs in October. Applications
need to be considered by Circuit
Meetings, District Policy Committees
514 Conference Agenda 2013