Virtual Town Halls Leading Up to Synod 2025
To prepare for the Synod meeting in July 2025, key leaders will host 15 virtual town halls to discuss the The Presbytery Project's proposal, its background and its potential impact.
Throughout 2023 and 2024, Presbytery representatives actively participated in a consultative discernment process through the Stewardship and Discernment Summits as part of The Presbytery Project facilitated by Rev. Dr Rob McFarlane.
This proposal aims to:
- Restructure Presbyteries by dissolving the 12 existing Presbyteries and creating 3 new, larger, and better-resourced Presbyteries to express more fully the body of Christ.
- Transform Culture by moving beyond structural changes to empower congregations in mission through cultural shifts, revised staffing models, and improved funding strategies in order to respond more fully to Christ’s call and liberate the gifts of the Spirit.
- Enhance Connectivity by developing new ways for members to connect within and across the restructured Presbyteries reflecting Jesus’ image of the vine and the branches.
- Reallocate Resources by optimizing Synod Mission Support Staff and establishing a Presbytery Resource Fund as the early church in Acts had “all things in common.”
- Ensure a Smooth Transition by implementing a transition plan that builds strong, pastoral teams with support from the new fund, living into a God-given vision.
How You Can Get Involved
To prepare for the Synod meeting in July 2025, key leaders will host 15 virtual town halls to discuss the The Presbytery Project's proposal, its background and its potential impact.
Each town hall will accommodate up to 30 participants, providing an opportunity for further discernment and discussion. These meetings are open to everyone across the Church, with priority given to registered Synod members. Please select one session to attend from the 15 available.
The Presbytery Project proposal marks a pivotal moment for the Church. While other Synods have made similar changes, this decision will be one of the most significant for our Synod since Union in 1977.
If your Presbytery registers you to attend Synod, we encourage you to prioritise participating in and engaging with one of the town halls as someone who will be voting on this landmark proposal at Synod.
The town halls will take place in March, April, and May. Registrations for these Town Halls are open now. As participants are capped at 30 per session, we suggest you register early.
As you prepare for Synod through Town Halls, Presbytery meetings, conversations and reading, do all these things in prayer.
Dates to Engage
April
- Monday 14, 3- 5pm
- Wednesday 16, 7- 9pm
- Wednesday 23, 7 - 9pm
May
- Monday 12, 3 - 5pm
- Wednesday 14, 7 - 9pm
- Monday 19, 7 - 9pm
- Wednesday 21, 7 - 9pm
- Wednesday 28, 3 - 5pm