June 1861
David Bruce of Auckland wrote to the Presbytery of Otago urging the
union of all Presbyterians in New Zealand. It took 40 years.
1902-4
Following their second united Assembly the Presbyterians put a uniting proposal to the Congregational Union and the
Methodist Churches and negotiations continued for two years. James Gibb led the
Presbyterian negotiators.
1919
At the 1919 General Assembly 13 overtures were received asking that
steps be taken towards union with Methodist and Congregational Churches. James
Gibb convened the Church Union Committee. The proposal was sent down under the
barrier act but failed to gain sufficient support.
1930
Wellington Presbytery overtured Assembly to appoint a committee to open
negotiations with other churches, understood to be Methodist and Congregational.
1931
Suggestion that Anglicans be included was voted down. Opponents to the
idea of church union with anyone argued that the time was inopportune because of
the apathy of the church on the question. By 1933 the committee agreed this was
the case.
1939
The Methodists wrote to General Assembly asking that a basis for union
be discussed.
1940
Congregational Union, Methodist and Presbyterian churches set up Church Union
Committees
1943
First Union Parish at Raglan. Partners: Congregational Union, Methodist and
Presbyterian.
1947
Opposition to union grows. Formation of Presbyterian Church League.
1947 Assembly agrees that "the normal channels of the church" be used to set
forth reasons for remaining a Presbyterian Church. Acceptance that there was
opposition to union.
1948
Voting on a proposal: 37489 out of 60,510 members voted:, 21,983 in favour and
15,341 opposed. The convenor J M Bates wrote to the Methodist
Conference "Having taken the greatest care to present to the Presbyterian Church
of new Zealand as fully and clearly as possible the proposals for union, it has
learned with sorrow that although the majority of the those voting favoured
union, the proportion of people opposed to union at the present time is too
great to warrant the Assembly united with other churches. It is nevertheless the
conviction of the majority of this court that it is the will of God that greater
visibility should be given to the unity of Christ's church in this land."
It was unexpectedly decided to appoint a fresh committee which included those opposed to union in order among other things "to seek the reasons which prompted so many of our members to vote against union, and where possible to remove these difficulties."
1949
Model Constitution for Union Parishes approved. Union parishes now at
Raglan, Corstorphine and Taita.
1948-49
Vote on Church Union between Methodist and Presbyterian churches.
1950
Joint Standing Committee on Church Union set up by the Congregational Union,
Methodist and Presbyterian churches. The Anglican Church sets up Commission
and the Associated Churches of Christ become members of the Joint
Standing
Committee.
1951
Congregational Union, Methodist and Presbyterian Churches each declared their
willingness to
accept members of the other two denominations. Formation of a Joint Standing
Committee of these churches.
1956
Vote on principle of Church Union "providing a satisfactory basis could be
found." In 1957 49% of membership in favour, 15% against, 36% did not vote.
1957
Church Union Committee authorised "to begin work on the preparation of the
doctrinal part of a basis of union." and to seek intercommunion between churches
belonging to the National Council of Churches.
1958
Meeting of Negotiating churches in Lower Hutt.
1959
General Synod of the Province of New Zealand (Anglican Church) responds
positively to invitation to enter into negotiations for union.
1960
Draft Basis for Union.
1962
Declaration of Faith; overture from 40 ministers and elders to give
greater emphasis to the scriptures, the creeds and the Churches subordinate
standards.
1964
Standard Agreement for Joint Use of Buildings
1965
Joint Commission on Church Union including Anglicans held first meeting.
1966
Joint National Committee on Church Extension held first meeting
Associated Churches of Christ agreed to join the arrangement for reciprocal
membership
1967
10 May Act of Commitment, Wellington Cathedral.
General Assembly set up special committee to negotiate separately with
Congregational Church.
1968
Congregational Assembly resolved that "those churches accepting the proposals be
merged with the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand."
1969
Majority of Congregational Churches, including Pacific Islanders Congregations
received into the Presbyterian Church.
1971
The Plan For Union 1971 published
1972
Guidelines for Forming a Cooperating Parish published
Referendum on The Plan for Union
Presbyterian Church decides to enter union on the basis of the 1971 Plan.
1973
33 Anglican, 11 Church of Christ, 9 Congregational, 108 Methodist and 100
Presbyterian churches involved in union schemes.
1975
First Consultation on Union and Cooperating Parishes.
1976
General Synod regrets that the Anglican Church can't enter into union.
1982?
Presbyterian vote to unite with Methodists only on the basis of the 1971 plan
fails to get sufficient support.
1984
Negotiating Churches Unity Council formed combining JCCU and JNCCE
References
"113 years ago Presbyterians began to discuss church union" The Outlook, April 1974, 8-12.
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