The task group has been charged with exploring the following key areas:

1. The Purpose of the Assembly:

   • Revisiting the Assembly’s primary purpose and function as described in the Book of Order (14.2).

   • Ensuring that the Assembly continues to fulfill its core roles: worshipping God, resourcing the Church, and fostering spiritual growth and nurture.

2. Structure and Function:

   • Examining how the Assembly can best operate to fulfill its judicial, administrative, and legislative responsibilities.

   • Considering different formats for meetings, including fully in-person gatherings, electronic meetings, and hybrid models.

3. Frequency and Accessibility:

   • Reviewing the timing, locations, and frequency of General Assembly meetings to improve accessibility and affordability.

   • Addressing environmental impacts, such as carbon emissions associated with travel and the size of gatherings.

4. Participation Models:

   • Evaluating how commissioners are selected by presbyteries, with a focus on increasing ethnic diversity and lowering the average age of participants.

   • Identifying ways to make participation more inclusive and representative.

5. Costs and Funding:

   • Assessing the financial efficiency of the current model and exploring alternative funding options, such as:

     • Adding an Assembly-specific charge to church assessments.

     • Including a levy in presbytery budgets to support commissioners financially.

6. Decision-Making Processes:

   • Reviewing how proposals are submitted, debated, and voted on.

   • Identifying ways to streamline decision-making and reporting processes to enhance efficiency and clarity.

7. Consultation and Collaboration:

   • The group will consult widely and seek input from various stakeholders, including:

     • The Te Haere Tonu work group.

     • The Book of Order Advisory Committee.

     • The Assembly Business Work Group.

     • The Clerk of the Assembly.

This review is a vital step in ensuring that the General Assembly remains effective, accessible, and sustainable for the future. By re-evaluating its purpose, structure, and processes, the Assembly can better support the life, worship, and mission of the Church while addressing the practical challenges of cost, representation, and environmental impact.

The task group is committed to wide consultation and values input from across the Church. Whether you are a commissioner, a member of a presbytery, or simply someone interested in the future of the General Assembly, your feedback is vital to shaping the outcome of this review.