Future Leaders
Are you interested in serving in a leadership role within the Church? Then this page is for you!
There are variety of ways a leader can serve within the Church. This page outlines a few of the roles, and provides backgrounds and further information.
This information is focused towards lay or non-ordained members. Ordained members are encouraged to talk to their mentor or Presbytery Chairperson
There are some key things to know and understand before becoming a leader
Common Leadership Positions
- Chairperson
- Deputy Chairperson (optional)
- Secretary
- Treasurer
- Chairperson
- Secretary
- Chairperson
- Secretary
- Treasurer
- Committee Chairperson
Structure
When first described, the structure of the Synod can be confusing.
The diagram below breaks the framework down.
SMO DiagramCode of Conduct
The Church outlines the acceptable behaviours for lay leaders. This is outlined in the Lay Leaders Code of Conduct which can be found here.
Governance and Decision Making in the Church
Manual for Meetings
The manual for meetings is a guide on how to run meetings in the Uniting Church as well as describing the consensus decision making process. You will most commonly see this through the use of coloured cards. The manual can be downloaded here.
Cards at a Synod Meeting
The cards are an importance part of discerning God’s will in a meeting. The lollies don’t hurt ether.
Governance
Below are some useful documents on Church Governance.
Thank you to the Sydney Presbytery.
Supporting Leadership within the Uniting Church
All lay leaders within the Uniting Church are recommended to have a mentor. If you are a leader looking for a mentor or are thinking about becoming a mentor, here are some useful links to get you started.
- LINKS TO BE ADDED
Get Involved
The Synod Nominations Advisory Panel (SNAP) is the panel the advises the appointments to the various committees around the Synod. You can express interest in some Synod committees here.
For information about getting involved at a presbytery level, contact your presbytery secretary https://victas.uca.org.au/presbyteries/.
For your local congregation, talk to a church councillor or minister about how to be more involved.
Testimonials
At my first Synod meeting I felt a calling from God to join Standing Committee.
Jacob Westley
I like the meetings!
I was tapped on the shoulder to join Standing Committee
Lisa Carey
Safe Church
The Uniting Church Synod of Victoria and Tasmania makes the following commitment:
- All children who are involved in any of the Uniting Church’s activities, services, events or programs have a right to feel and be safe. The Uniting Church in Australia is committed to provide safe environments where children are cared for, respected, nurtured and sustained.
- We have zero tolerance of all forms of child abuse and will do all in our power to safeguard children from abuse.
- The Church commits itself to the creation and maintenance of a child-safe culture to ensure the care, protection and safety of all children engaging with the Church in any of its entities.
- Abuse thrives on secrecy. To prevent child abuse across the Church, we are committed to providing clear leadership and open and transparent governance to combat secrecy.
- The Church clearly affirms its commitment to upholding the law. This includes the requirement to report abuse to the appropriate authorities.
- We are committed to the cultural safety of all First Nations people, including children and young people.
- More information can be found here.