mgpcpastor's blog

The work of the National Journal committee (publishers of Australian Presbyterian Magazine and other resources) and the Finance Committee took up most of the remainder of the afternoon.

National Journal Committee
Peter Hastie presented the report of the National Journal Committee, which was comprehensive as to the activities of the Committee which was informative in revealing how a team comprised of volunteers and minimally remunerated staff produce a high quality journal eleven times a year.
Part of the report made a case for a substantial increase in funding for the committee in order to alleviate the stress which is presently experienced in producing the magazine.
A variety of motions were approved by the Assembly which supported the continuing work of the Committee. One motion, relating to the increase in funding was deferred until the report of the Finance Committee was considered.

Finance Committee
The convenor, Jeoffrey Falls spoke to the report. He explained that he did not intend to go over the content of report or the accompanying financial statements.
Falls stressed an aim for the Finance Committee to become more proactive in working with the committees in their overall budgetary management.
(Committees work on a triennial (three yearly cycle) which necessitates careful planning and not a little bit of foresight in terms of trying to evaluate the situation of each committee three years ahead.)
The National Journal Committee have sought a substantial increase in the budget, which is needed, but which still needs to be funded. The Finance Committee feels it is appropriate to work alongside the National Journal Committee given the substantial portion of GAA funding which it represents.
Relations With Other Churches (of which I’m a member) is seeking to host a meeting of the World Reformed Fellowship in Australia.
The College Committee has expansion plans.
The Finance Committee is a blunt instrument. If a Committee proposes something and the Finance Committee can’t support it, the answer is generally ‘No.’ The Committee would like to modify their working relationship with other committees in order to achieve positive expressions of the outcomes they seek.
Proposed new regulations for the Committee seek to allow three members to voted on without regard to existing formulas about proportional State representation.
Answers to questions underlined the point that as a body that receives direction from the Assembly about expenditures for a three year period, and then remits those expenses back to the States, the Finance Committee has very limited discretion about the overall financial direction and management of the PCA.
This is a situation which they are hoping to modify in a way that will enable them to become more proactive.
The Assembly approved the various, largely administrative, proposals made by the Finance Committee, including funding for the National Journal at a higher level.
Subsequently, the Finance Committee also sought approval to work with the Journal Committee in developing their business plan and sought a declaration that part of the funding for the National Journal Committee be consider contingent.
I have to confess that I didn’t immediately see how this was a ringing endorsement of the Journal Committee’s future, but through the process of question and debate it did become clear that this is but a first instance of the desired proactive and constructive future planning and managment of our denominational goals.
The proposal was supported and the Assembly gave a full endorsement to the Finance Committee’s plans.

After their report the final part of the National Journal Committee report was dealt with, and Assembly again affirmed the National Journal Committee’s future and direction for the next three years, a direction that will be assisted and supported by the insightful planning skills of the Finance Committee.
I have to admit to concerns about the future of print based magazines, such as Australian Presbyterian. But the denomination does need to embrace the value of producing print copies of something that can be distributed and placed in the hands of people who would not engage with its content in any other way.

Sorry for the lack of pictures, I’m not liking my camera very much at the moment. Mr Hastie and Mr Falls are both very good looking men. You’ll have to take my word for it.