What is GA?

The BOO 14.2.1 defines the purpose and functions of General Assembly as follows:

(a) to worship God, 

(b) to facilitate and resource the life, worship, and spiritual nurture of the Church, 

(c) to act in a judicial capacity as the supreme judicial body of the Church, 

(d) to act in an administrative capacity as the supreme administrative body of the Church, 

(e) to act as the legislative body of the Church, and 

(f) to deal with such other matters that the General Assembly considers appropriate.

The task group would summarise the BOO definition into three broad categories and suggests that the primary functions of General Assembly are worship, business and the provision of inspiration/resourcing the collective body of the PCANZ. Undergirding the Book of Order requirements are the notion of collegiality and whanaungatanga.

General Assembly is not an event. General Assembly is the governing body of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand. It is made up of commissioners who are sent by their Presbyteries to be commissioners of Assembly. In this way, General Assembly is also, in part, a gathering of the Presbyteries.