The Basis of Union (paragraph 15) says “It is the task of every council to wait upon God’s Word, and to obey God’s will in the matters allocated to its oversight”. This means that when any meeting is convened within the Uniting Church we understand that we are seeking to understand and act on the leading of the Holy Spirit, in the church that is God’s. For this reason our meetings are framed in such a way that allows for people to meet as the people of God and relate to each other and the Holy Spirit.
Meetings in the Uniting Church are not just about making decisions. They are about forming and sustaining Christian community. The more we build and strengthen community, the easier it is to make decisions. Therefore when we meet we, worship God; are equipped and trained for witness and service; discern new directions; discover new ideas and information and share life together. Christian community develops when members of a group share the life they have in Christ. Community is strengthened as members are open to each other’s insights and feelings in pursuit of the ideals and practices around which the group is formed.
Community though does not preclude dissension. In fact community is built up and strengthened and the kingdom of God is advanced when individuals are willing to participate in respectful, stimulating, informed and robust discussion. This type of interaction requires that members are willing to listen and learn from others. Members need to display humility and trust and value each other deeply as fellow disciples of Christ. There must be a commitment to finding God’s word and being willing to wait with patience to discover this together.
The preferred way of making decisions within the Uniting Church is through consensus - “Consensus is a process by which a common mind of the meeting is sought about the wisest way forward on a particular issue at the time.”
Using the consensus model ensures that all points of view are shared and that all members of the meeting feel that they have been adequately heard. By using this method the small prophetic voice has an opportunity to be heard. Sometimes this does not happen when formal methods of decision making are used.
Decisions are not made simply because the majority are in favour. Time is taken to listen, question and reflect on differing points of view. It is appropriate during consensus decision making to take time to pray or even decide that the matter does not need to be dealt with at that point and to delay a decision to a later meeting, after members have had more time to pray and seek God’s leading.
Consensus decision making does not require that all members agree with the decision that is being made. It requires that all members feel that their opinion has been heard and that they can support the decision of the meeting and commit themselves to not undermine it.
Grace and peace
David Fender
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