Church Law Committee – Expression of Interest for Committee Members
The Uniting Church Synod of WA is seeking expressions of interest for suitably qualified people to fill membership vacancies on the Church Law Committee.
- Uniting Church WA is a major Christian denomination in Western Australia
- Committee supporting clear, faithful and practical Church law (Constitutions, Bylaws, Rules)
About the Role
The Church Law Committee serves the Uniting Church WA, Synod and Presbytery by developing, maintaining and advising on the Church’s law in Western Australia. The Committee helps ensure the Church’s Constitutions, By-Laws and Presbytery Rules are clear, accessible and responsive to the life and mission of the Church. As a committee member, you will contribute to thoughtful governance, careful drafting and practical advice that assists councils, committees, agencies and congregations.
Key accountabilities include:
- Maintaining and making available the constitutions of Schools/Agencies and the bylaws of the Synod of WA and the Rules of the WA Presbytery.
- Preparing and recommending new By-Laws or Rules, or amendments to existing By-Laws or Rules, when required by Synod, Presbytery, Standing Committees, Assembly decisions, Church bodies or the needs of the Church’s life and mission.
- Advising officers, Synod and Presbytery bodies, schools, agencies and congregations on the operation and interpretation of Church law.
- Assisting Church bodies to prepare proposals for new By-Laws or amendments to Constitutions, By-Laws and Rules.
- Supporting governance that is faithful to the Uniting Church’s Basis of Union and practical for the Church’s contemporary life.
Key Skills and Attributes
We are particularly seeking people with experience in law or have experience in with writing (eg governance professional, academic, policy writer, compliance specialist, technical writer, teacher)
The ideal candidate will have demonstrated skills, experience or interest in one or more of the following areas:
- Church Law and Polity: knowledge of, or willingness to learn, Uniting Church governance, councils, regulations, by-laws and decision-making processes.
- Legal or Governance Expertise: experience in legal practice, governance, compliance, constitutions, trusts, associations, not-for-profit law or related fields.
- Drafting and Interpretation: ability to read carefully, draft clearly, interpret rules, identify ambiguity and translate complex requirements into workable wording.
- Policy and Risk Judgement: capacity to consider risks, precedents, fairness, accountability and the practical implications of proposed changes.
- Listening and Advice: ability to listen to Church bodies, ask clarifying questions and provide careful, respectful and practical advice.
- Teamwork and Collaboration: a collaborative approach, as the Uniting Church operates on a consensus model for decision-making.
We are also open to including and mentoring people with limited committee experience who bring curiosity, good judgement and a commitment to the Church’s life and mission.
While being a member of a church is not required, all Committee members must respect the ethos and polity of the Uniting Church.
The Committee meets as required, typically four times a year (in person or via MS Teams).
Enquiries can be made to the General Secretary, David Beards – [email protected] or phone 08 9260 9800