Remit: �Membership of Regional Councils

GCE 09 CHANGE TO BASIS OF UNION: �IV. REGIONAL COUNCILS; SECTION 6.2 Origin: The Executive of the 44th General Council

IV. Regional Councils�(The Manual 2026)

• 6.1 Description.
• A Regional Council is a decision-making body responsible to serve and support Communities of Faith within its bounds and provide necessary oversight. (2019)
• 6.2 Membership. The Regional Council is composed of: (2019)
• 6.2.1 all ministry personnel within the geographic bounds served by the regional council; (2019)
• 6.2.2 ministers of denominations within mutual recognition agreements while under appointment or call; and (2019)
• 6.2.3 lay members elected by the Community of Faith, respecting the balance of lay and ministry personnel where possible. (2019)

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6.2 Membership.

The Regional Council is composed of:

• 6.2.1 all ministry personnel within the geographic bounds served by the regional council;
• 6.2.2 ministers of denominations within mutual recognition agreements while under appointment or call; and
• 6.2.3 lay members elected by the Community of Faith (2019)

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At-Large Lay Members:�What is the issue?�

Before the restructuring in 2019, Presbyteries had the ability to appoint up to 10 lay members at large.

The Conferences were also able to increase their membership with representatives of lay organizations the Conference recognized.

This ability was lost during the transition to regional council structure.

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At-Large Lay Members: What Is the Impact?

The ability of a regional council to elect at-large members is important to reflect the diversity within the regional council and have the benefit of these members’ input and wisdom.

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At-Large Lay Members: Suggested Addition�

6.2.4 additional lay members elected by the Regional Council; the total number not to exceed 10 percent of the number of lay members elected under section 6.2.3;

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At-Large Lay Members: Discussion�

What changes and benefits do you foresee for regional councils in adding additional lay members?

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Do you have any questions or concerns?

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Retired Lay Ministers: What Is the Issue?�

In 2023, the General Council approved Section 5 of GCE 08 Ministry Leadership to Meet the Need of the Church in the 2020s, including

Part B Designated Lay Ministry:

5. For People who Retired as Designated Lay Ministers

• a. strongly encourage regional councils to review their practices under C.2.1 b) and I.2.4.1 b) of The Manual to consider, in light of the leadership roles and acquired experience of many lay members who retired as designated lay ministers, granting both licences to administer the sacraments, and membership in the regional council to lay members who retired as designated lay ministers and are resident within the regional council; and   
• b. encourage regional councils to review their policies on voluntary associate ministry and eligibility to practice other functions of ministry as may apply to lay members who have retired as designated lay ministers.

Retired Lay Ministers: What Is the Impact?�

• Recognized Designated Lay Ministers have a wealth of experience and wisdom upon their retirement.
• Allowing them to continue as members of the region strengthens our community connections and decision-making.

Retired Lay Ministers: Suggested Addition

• 6.2.5 lay members who at the time of their retirement were designated lay ministers within the bounds of the Regional Council 

Retired Lay Ministers: Discussion

What changes and benefits do you foresee for regional councils in adding retired designated lay ministers (who were serving in their appointment at the time of retirement)?

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Do you have any questions or concerns?

Proposed Regional Membership

• Ministry personnel in the region
• Ministers from mutual recognition denominations serving in the region
• Lay members elected by local communities of faith
• Lay members selected by the region
• Retired designated lay ministers

Not changing: ministry personnel sections

• 6.2.1 all ministry personnel within the geographic bounds served by the regional council;
• 6.2.2 ministers of denominations within mutual recognition agreements while under appointment or call; and

The Question

Does the Regional Council agree that the Basis of Union be amended to include the following?  

6.2 Membership. The Regional Council is composed of:   

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6.2.3 lay members elected by the Community of Faith;  

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6.2.4 additional lay members elected by the Regional Council; the total number not to exceed 10 percent of the number of lay members elected under section 6.2.3; and   

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6.2.5 lay members who at the time of their retirement were designated lay ministers within the bounds of the Regional Council