Synod 2025 Presbytery Project Proposal: Fewer Presbyteries, More Support for Congregations
A major proposal is brought to the 2025 Synod meeting that could reshape how the Uniting Church in NSW and the ACT functions at the Presbytery level.
A major proposal is brought to the 2025 Synod meeting that could reshape how the Uniting Church in NSW and the ACT functions at the Presbytery level. The “3P Model” recommends dissolving the existing 12 Presbyteries and replacing them with three new ones: Northern, Central, and Southern. This plan, supported by extensive consultation, aims to better support congregations in their mission by improving equity, coordination, and resourcing.
Why the Change?
The current system has created major gaps. Some Presbyteries have over 50 ministry placements; others have none. Some manage millions in assets; others scrape by. This has led to burnout, missed opportunities, and under-resourced churches.
The proposal grew out of two years of reflection, four discernment summits, and input from over 400 people. It’s clear many Presbyteries are struggling to meet their responsibilities. The 3P Model is designed to simplify structures and give every congregation better access to practical help for governance, compliance, and mission.
What’s Being Proposed?
1. A New Structure
- The 12 Presbyteries would be dissolved by June 30, 2026.
- Three new Presbyteries—Northern, Central, and Southern—would begin on July 1, 2026.
- Each new Presbytery will be geographically broad and include a mix of rural, regional, and urban churches.
2. A Transition Commission
- A team will guide the process through to April 2027.
- This includes Synod and Presbytery leaders and will pay attention to cultural and relational shifts, not just technical change.
- The commission will report progress and manage risks during implementation.
3. A Shared Pool of Resources
- A new Presbytery Resource Fund (PRF) will be set up using income from property sales and investments.
- It will help fund baseline staffing in all three new Presbyteries—around 12–14 people each.
- The goal is for each Presbytery to start with $2.5 million in staff funding annually.
- Better staffing means better support for ministers, congregations, governance, compliance, and mission.
What’s the Goal?
The core aim is to support congregations. Right now, many churches feel alone—especially when dealing with compliance or starting new mission projects. The 3P Model says help should be local, consistent, and reliable. Larger, better-resourced Presbyteries can offer that.
The plan also aims to improve how we live as a church together. It takes seriously the idea that we share a common life and wealth—not just financially, but spiritually and practically.
How Will This Help Mission?
The 3P Model isn’t just about fixing admin. It’s about freeing up churches to focus on worship, witness, and service. With stronger Presbytery support, more churches can engage in missional projects—especially in rural areas, with young people, in cross-cultural settings, and with First Peoples.
It also connects closely with other Synod work like the Blended Ecology strategy and the national Act2 project. The model sets the stage for the wider church’s renewal, without waiting for national processes to finish.
The proposal asks a big question: How do we organise ourselves to help the church grow in faith, relationship, and impact? The 3P Model doesn’t offer quick fixes, but it does offer a serious answer.
