POLICY FOR THE ROTATION OF MINISTERS 

AKANOONOOANGA NO TE TAUIANGA OROMETUA

I: GENERAL POLICY

1. All Orometuas of the CICC may change Ekalesias every four (4) years based on the allocation criteria outlined below.

2. The final decision on allocation shall be made by the Executive Council, and in the event that a General Assembly is in session, then the decisions of the Executive Council shall be tabled in the General Assembly.

3. In making the allocation of Orometuas, the Executive Council shall take into account the following criteria:

1. Every attempt is made to ensure that an Orometua is allocated to the right Ekalesia taking into account all relevant factors on both the Ekalesia and Orometua.
2. Large Ekalesias to be allocated able and experienced Orometuas.
3. Each Orometua should expect the following general allocations as
   follows: three (3) terms on Rarotonga; two (2) terms in the northern Cook Islands; two (2) in the southern islands; three (3) in NZ and three (3) in Australia.
4. Orometuas selected to Ekalesias in Rarotonga, Aitutaki, NZ and Australia must be competent in both the Cook Islands Maori and English languages.
5. Consultation with the Ekalesias and the Orometuas is held throughout the allocation process or as needed.
6. The needs, weaknesses and strengths of an Ekalesia and the Orometua also to be taken into account in the allocation process.
7. Other personal considerations such as number of children, health issues etc., could also be taken into consideration.
8. Cost of transfer and other cost factors should also be taken into account where relevant.
9. Whereas in the case of any Ekalesia which is associated with other church bodies such as the Uniting Church in Australia and it has its own regulations or method of appointing Orometuas, then the Committee of Orometuas and the Executive Council shall as far as possible accommodate the special requirements of these Ekalesias.

II: ALLOCATION PROCESS

1. Changes of Orometua normally takes place in July – August in the fourth year following the previous change, and normally at the conclusion of the General Assembly (assuming that a General Assembly is scheduled for that year)

2. In the first week of July the year before the changes are scheduled, the Executive Council will start the allocation process by sending to every Ekalesia a notice setting out the allocation process and inviting the Ekalesias to respond by the end of July and indicate whether:

(a) They want to keep their existing Orometua, provided he has not had two (2) terms with the Ekalesia and provided further that the Orometua agrees to a second term, or

(b) They had one or more preferred Orometua in order of preference.

3. At the same time the Executive Council shall send out a similar notice to every Orometua advising him of the allocation process and also inviting him to indicate whether:

(a) He wanted to stay at his present Ekalesia (if that was his first term and subject to the Ekalesia also agreeing to keep him for another term), or

(b) He had other preferred Ekalesias in order of preference.

At the same time the Orometua shall be requested to provide an updated Curriculum Vitae or Resume on himself to the Executive Council and also for the use of the Committee of Orometuas.

4. Committee of Orometuas. In August and September the Committee of Orometuas (CO) shall allocate the Orometuas to Ekalesias taking into account responses by Orometuas and Ekalesias and the General Policy outlined above. In carrying out this process they will consult as much as is needed with Ekalesias and Orometuas in order to try and reach consensus. The CO shall complete their recommendations for allocations to be submitted to the Executive Council by end September.

5. In October the Executive Council shall review and finally decide on the allocation by the CO and shall then advise all Orometua and Ekalesia separately of their allocation and invite confirmation or opposition to their proposed allocation to be received by the Executive Council by end November. In advising the Ekalesia a copy of the Orometua’s CV or Resume shall be attached to enable the Ekalesia to know some background on the Orometua allocated to it.

6. The allocations that are accepted by the Ekalesia and the Orometua are confirmed and not changed. Those who oppose their allocation will be required to set out in writing their grounds for opposing as soon as possible. All opposed allocation shall be reviewed by the CO and they may enter into further consultation if required and must make a final recommendation to the Executive Council on all opposed allocation by end December.

7. In January the Executive Council shall make a final decision on the opposed allocation taking into account the recommendation of the CO. and any other issues which the Executive Council may consider relevant.

8. In February/March the Executive Council shall give the final notice to all Orometuas and Ekalesias setting out who will be the Orometua at which Ekalesia and confirming the dates during which the change must take place.

9. Every Ekalesia must prepare for the change of Orometua to be carried out with the least disruption and to ensure a smooth transition of Orometuas.

Note: this paper was considered by the Executive Council which recommended that it be sent out to all CICC Ekalesias and Ministers for their comments/inputs. Please send all submissions to:

The General Secretary CICC Executive Council

P.O. Box 93, Rarotonga, Cook Islands

Phone:26546, Fax:26540,

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Minister Bereavement Policy

1. Ministers serving at Takamoa

The CICC Manual 2010 has outlined the bereavement policy for Ministers stationed and serving at Takamoa, e.g. President, Principal, and other ordained ministers serving as lecturers. The Manual states that when the Ministers themselves or their wives pass away, the wives/ministers have 3 months to make alternative accommodation arrangements outside of the Takamoa Theological College compound.

The Manual does not mention the situation about the Ministers bereavement in the Ekalesias. This policy therefore fills that gap.

2. Ministers serving in the Ekalesias

2.1 When the Minister passes away

When the minister passes away, his family (wife and children if any) will have 2 months to make alternative accommodation arrangements. During this 2 months period, the Ekalesia is responsible for the family’s well-being and must ensure that they are fully catered for in terms of food and other necessary household expenditures.

While the Ekalesia is doing this, the CICC Executive Council will nominate a suitable minister to be posted into the Ekalesia as soon as possible after the Ekalesia’s mission house becomes vacant. The General Treasurer will arrange for the prompt payment of the minister’s superannuation and other entitlements to the deceased minister’s wife and family.

In addition to the above role by the Council, it will also take an active part in the affairs of the family of the passing minister by nominating someone suitable to be its agent to assist and help the family in (i) liaising with the Ekalesia, (ii) relocation arrangements, and (iii) arrangements for the coming in of the new minister. The person appointed may be a respected elder of the Ekalesia or someone from outside of the Ekalesia. If required, counseling by another pastor or senior person with such competence may be sought.

2.2 When the wife of the minister passes away

When the wife of the minister passes away, the following conditions apply, depending on whether the incident happened under or over 12 months to the next ministers’ rotation:

Less than 12 months to the next ministers’ rotation

The Minister will remain in the Ekalesia until the next rotation. If he is not due to retire and does not remarry during this time, he may not be posted to the next Ekalesia proposed for him, the burden will be too much on him without a suitable helper. While he is off duty, he will retain his position as a minister of the CICC. The relevant CICC councils will help him find alternative ways to continue using him as a resource person in selected church programmes.

If he is not due to retire and does remarry during this time, they both will remain in the Ekalesia until the next rotation when they may be relocated to the next Ekalesia.

If the wife passes away between 4 – 12 months to the next ministers’ rotation, he will be granted 2 months compassionate leave which must be taken within 4 weeks after the bereavement. If the wife passes away under 4 months to the rotation, the minister will be granted leave of not more than 2 weeks, being mindful of the upcoming assembly and rotation. If necessary, leave can be taken after the assembly and/or rotation, i.e. when the minister has relocated in his new Ekalesia.

This compassionate leave entitles him to take time away from the Ekalesia to help him recover from the trauma of his loss. It is up to him to choose whether to take up this offer or not. If he does, the minister himself or Secretary of the Ekalesia will make contact with the CICC President or General Secretary to arrange for a stand-in minister while the Ekalesia minister is away. Alternatively, the closest CICC council can be contacted for this purpose.

More than 12 months to the next ministers’ rotation

The Minister will remain in the Ekalesia for a maximum of 12 months if he does not remarry. This 12 months period includes 2 months compassionate leave due to him. When this 12 months period is up and he has not remarried, he will vacate the Ekalesia’s mission house for the next care-taker minister.

This means he will not be able to continue serving as a caretaker minister in an Ekalesia because the burden will be too much for him without a suitable helper. He will retain his position as a minister of the CICC, and the relevant CICC councils will help him find alternative ways to continue using him as a resource person in selected church programmes.

If the minister remarries during this 12 months period, he will continue being the caretaker minister of the Ekalesia until the next ministers’ rotation when he and his new wife may be relocated to the next Ekalesia if he is not due for retirement.

If he remarries during his time off duty, the CICC Executive Council will reconsider reinstating him as a caretaker minister if

(i) he is not due for retirement,

(ii) there is a vacancy, and

(ii) he wants to come back as a serving minister.

Comments

• Inputs from the ministers’ rotation committee are required first before decisions are made in respect of the future of ministers as caretakers of Ekalesias.

• If Ministers still want to continue serving after the passing away of their spouses, they must make their intentions known to the rotation committee who will consider the merits of their cases before making the final decision.

2.3 The question of remarrying

It is obvious that when the minister remarries and wishes to continue serving as a caretaker minister of a CICC Ekalesia, the remarriage carries some expectations from both the CICC Executive Council as well as the Ekalesias they will be serving in during their life time. To this end, it is the policy of the CICC that all ministers serving in the Ekalesias should have a wife who has important responsibilities as a help mate for the minister as set out in the CICC Manual 2010.

The CICC shall give ample time for the minister to review his situation and if he wishes to continue serving in the Ekalesias, then he should consider the need to find a suitable help mate with a view to marry and to be with him in his pastoring service.

2.4 When an immediate relative of the minister passes away

When an immediate relative of the minister (daughter, son, father, mother) passes away, he will be granted 2 weeks compassionate leave. This entitles him to take time away from the Ekalesia to help him recover from the trauma of his loss. It is up to him to choose whether to take up this offer or not. If he does, the minister himself or Secretary of the Ekalesia will make contact with the CICC President or General Secretary to arrange for a stand-in minister while the Ekalesia minister is away. Alternatively, the closest CICC council can be contacted for this purpose.

(Approved by the CICC Executive Council, 29 July 2010)

POLICY CONCERNING THE HOLDING OF IMPORTANT POSITIONS OUTSIDE OF CHURCH RESPONSIBILITIES

1. INTRODUCTION

This policy outlines the status of senior office holders of the CICC when vying for positions other than, or in addition to, their normal church responsibilities. It is important that office holders are aware and fully understand these conditions beforehand. The intention is not to discourage people from putting their hands up, but rather to outline what the boundaries and expectations are insofar as holding important church positions are concerned.

2. IMPORTANT NON-CHURCH POSITIONS

The non-church positions being referred to in this policy as those other than the church ones currently held, include the following:

Government: Ministers,members of Parliament Mayors, councillors Public servants from junior up to head of department level Government representatives in the outer islands

Non-Government: Traditional leaders, community organisations, sports organisations

Private sector: All positions from junior to executive level

3. EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS

Except for a Minister, all other members may hold an office(s) other than their position on the Executive Council. They may also contest non-church positions. However, it is important for members to take their responsibilities on the Executive Council seriously and must therefore be careful not to be “over-loaded” to the extent that they may encounter difficulties fulfilling their council duties.

A Minister on the council must resign from the council if he wishes to run for public office, such as parliamentary election, councils election, etc. In the event that he does not succeed, he will not be reinstated as an Ekalesia caretaker Minister. The Committee of Ministers may, however, assign him to other tasks in the CICC if he wishes to continue serving in the church.

Other members on the council who wish to run for public office must take leave from the council for the duration of the campaign period, or whenever they commence their campaign activities. If the member succeeds in the election, he will resign from the council and his position will be filled. If the member does not succeed, his possible reinstatement will be a matter for the council to discuss.

4. MINISTERS IN THE EKALESIAS

A Minister of the church is a full-time responsibility and as such, cannot and should not hold other types of positions to such an extent that those positions will require him to be away from his flock and church responsibilities frequently and for extended periods of time.

Ministers are not to hold any Government or private sector position except other non- Government positions. If they wish to do so, they must first resign from being a Minister of the CICC. The only exception to this rule are those Ministers in New Zealand and Australia who, as per section 7.26 of the CICC Manual 2010, are allowed to seek employment for the sustenance of their families.

A caretaker Minister of an Ekalesia must resign from his pastoral duties if he wishes to run for public office, such as parliamentary election, councils election, etc. In the event that he does not succeed, he will not be reinstated as an Ekalesia caretaker Minister.

The Committee of Ministers may, however, assign him to other tasks in the CICC if he wishes to continue serving in the church. It is therefore very important that Ministers are fully aware of their original commitment and the consequences of their desire to seek positions other than their pastoral duties. They must decide between the 2 masters and they cannot have both.

5. ASSISTANT MINISTERS IN THE EKALESIAS

An Assistant Minister of the church is a very senior position that the Ekalesia has bestowed on someone who it believes and trusts that he will serve in that position fairly, faithfully and impartially. It is a privileged position that very few get to be appointed to. So in a lot of ways, it carries almost the same weight as a Minister.

As such, an Assistant Minister in an Ekalesia who wishes to run for public office must take leave from that position for the duration of the campaign period, or whenever he commences his campaign activities. If he succeeds, he will resign from being an Assistant Minister and his position will be filled if the Ekalesia wishes for the vacant position to be filled. If, on the other hand, he does not succeed, his possible reinstatement will be a matter for the Ekalesia to discuss.

Renewal of the position (either new holder or reinstatement of the previous holder), must comply with section 6.3 of the CICC Procedures Manual 2010, i.e. Ekalesia to first select its nominee and a recommendation to this effect sent to the CICC Executive Council for approval.

6. PROGRAMME DIRECTORS

There is no restriction on the number of positions programme directors can hold. However, it is important that they take their responsibilities seriously and must therefore be careful not to be “over-loaded” to the extent that they may encounter difficulties fulfilling their duties as programme directors.

When running for public office, the conditions stipulated above also applies to the programme directors. That is, they must take leave, resign if successful, or may be reinstated subject to approval by the CICC Executive Council.

7. OFFICE WORKERS, CICC MAIN OFFICE, TAKAMOA

People employed as full-time office workers at Takamoa are not expected to assume paid full-time positions elsewhere. They may, however, be employed part-time after-hours. There is no restriction on the non-Government positions office workers can hold.

However, it is important that they take their responsibilities seriously and must therefore be careful not to be “over-loaded” to the extent that they may encounter difficulties fulfilling their duties as full- time office employees.

When running for public office, the conditions stipulated above also applies to the office workers. That is, they must take leave, resign if successful, or may be reinstated subject to approval by the CICC General Secretary.

Office workers wishing to undertake contract work may do so in their own time.

(Approved by the CICC Executive Council, 26 August 2010)

Health Policy for Minister in the Ekalesias

1. Studying in Takamoa

Students enrolling at the Takamoa Theological College are required to undergo a comprehensive medical health check from a recognised medical institution and must submit a detailed medical health report to the Principal when submitting his application. Students failing to do this will not be considered for entry into Takamoa.

Students who have major health issues according to their medical reports may not be allowed to study full-time at Takamoa. This will depend on the advice of a medical doctor which the Principal will seek before considering the applicant’s application as a candidate for Takamoa.

2. MINISTERS’ ROTATION POLICY

This health policy does not replace the Ministers’ Rotation Policy already passed by the CICC General Assembly. Rather, where health comes in as a major issue, then this health policy will work around the rotation policy inasfar as accommodating the needs of the ministers are concerned.

3. MINISTERS’ HEALTH POLICY

3.1 Bereavement

When a minister or his wife have major health issues and as a result passes away while caretaking an Ekalesia, the Ministers’ Bereavement Policy takes effect immediately.

3.2 Prolonged hospitalisation

When a minister is diagnosed with a serious ailment which requires hospitalisation of over 3 months, the relevant CICC Council will arrange for a stand-in minister. The minister’s family (wife and children) will continue staying in the Ekalesia’s mission house and will be looked after by the Ekalesia.

If the hospitalisation exceeds 6 months and the medical profession confirms that the minister “needs to remain hospitalised for much longer,” the CICC Executive Council must discuss and decide whether to take the minister and his family out of the Ekalesia completely and post a new minister in his place. It is not right and fair for the Ekalesia to go without a full- time resident minister for prolonged periods, such as over 6 months.

3.3 Medical referrals

When a minister or his wife encounters a major medical referral while in the Ekalesia, the following conditions will apply:

On the dialysis machine – if there is no such machine in the Cook Islands, the minister may not be returned to serve in the Cook Islands. His postings will continue in New Zealand and Australia if he is in a position to continue serving while he or his wife is undergoing treatment. This option will need to be worked in with the current Ministers’ Rotation Policy.

Cancer and undergoing chemo treatment – if treatment is not possible in the Cook Islands, the minister may not be returned to serve in the Cook Islands. His postings will continue in New Zealand and Australia if he is in a position to continue serving while he or his wife is undergoing treatment. Again, this option will need to be worked in with the current Ministers’ Rotation Policy.

Stroke – if the nature of the stroke is such that it incapacitates him from carrying out his duties effectively, the minister will have to take early retirement. He and his family will have 3 months to vacate the Ekalesia, and the CICC Executive Council will make arrangements for a minister to be posted to the Ekalesia.

Other major medical issues such as a serious motor vehicle accident – the case with stroke also applies here.

While undergoing treatment for cases which are not life-threatening, the minister must regularly update the CICC Executive Council on the status of his treatment and that of his wife’s. If in the view of the Council the medical referral of the minister and/or his wife is such that it is significantly affecting his/their responsibilities towards their Ekalesia, the Council must discuss and decide whether the minister should continue serving or be replaced completely.

3.4 Good health and fitness

Ministers serving in the Ekalesias must have a good health record and should be fit at all times in order to be able to carry out their functions effectively. Really, they cannot function properly if they are not in the best of health. Spending time in the hospital or on a medical machine (such as a dialysis machine) is just not appropriate for a caretaker of an Ekalesia or any organisation for that matter. Under these circumstances, the minister should seriously consider taking early retirement. The CICC Executive Council should also consider the merits of replacing very sick ministers if there are ministers waiting for an Ekalesia.

At the end of the day, the responsibility for good health and fitness lies squarely with the minister himself. He must be accountable and take charge to ensure that he, his wife and members of his family are living healthy lives. There are scheduled health and fitness programmes operating on Rarotonga and certainly in New Zealand and Australia which he could enrol if he is not leading a physically active lifestyle. If he is not able to look after his health and that of his own family, how can he take his responsibility seriously as a caretaker of an Ekalesia?

(Approved by the CICC Executive Council, 29 July 2010)