Our 419 churches are spread throughout New Zealand, from Bluff to Kaitara, in both rural and metropolitan locations. A group of elders from the congregation forms the church council, also known as the session or parish council, which runs the church in accordance with the rules laid down in ourBook of Order. The church may call a full- or part-time minister, or a ministry team, or make use of lay leaders or Local Ordained Ministers. It may also employ other staff, such as a children or families worker, and youth worker.

TheHandbook for Congregations is a quick-reference guide to Presbyterian church regulations and procedures, but it does not replace the Book of Order.

TheConditions of Service Manualguides congregations and presbyteries/Union District Councils as they work with ministers and lay employees. It is a supplementary provision to the Book of Order and its contents have the status of regulations. There are also a number ofother supplementary provisions.

Resources for Elders

The Knox Centre has written a Handbook for Elders for use in parishes, presbyteries and UDCs. It covers both session and parish council contexts. Download it here In 2013, the Synod of Otago and Southland produced a training resource for elders, By Word and By Spirit featuring a DVD presented by former Mission Advisor, Bruce Fraser, and a CD of written chapters that can be used as a one-day seminar, and can also be used alongside the KCML Handbook for Elders. If you would like to access a copy of the resource, please contactPresbyterian Archives.

Resources for Church Management and Treasurers

See information for treasurershere. Subscribe to receive the regularTreasurers' Newsletter which has important news and info for treasurers' from the Church's finance department.

Privacy Officer

Privacy is an important issue for any organisation that collects, uses, or discloses personal information. “Personal information” means information relating to an identifiable individual. It could be someone’s name, a photograph of a person, contact details, or a record of someone’s actions. For churches, this could include a church directory, pastoral information, or employment information.  All agencies are required to have a privacy officer under thePrivacy Act 2020, which came into effect on 1 December 2020. The purpose of this position is to prevent or respond to any privacy issues. A position description for a privacy officer is availablehere.

PIF Banking

Login here to access PIF Internet banking

Parish websites

You can also access alist of parish websites and a guide oncreating a website for your church.