Office Bearers

GS 2025 Article 89 – CPTPF (Committee for Pastoral Training Program Funding)

1.   Material

  • 1.1    Report of the Committee for Pastoral Training Program Funding (CPTPF) (8.2.7).
  • 1.2    Letter from Willoughby Heights (8.3.7.1).

2.   Admissibility

  • 2.1    The report was declared admissible.
    • Grounds: It was mandated by the previous synod and was received on time.
  • 2.2    The letter was declared admissible.
    • Grounds: It interacts with a report to GS 2025 and was received on time.

3.   Observations

  • 3.1    GS 2022 (art. 72) mandated the CPTPF:
    • [3.1]    To express gratitude to the Guelph-Emmanuel CanRC and its committee for the work it has done;
    • [3.2]    To reappoint Guelph-Emmanuel as the Committee for Pastoral Training Program Funding (CTPTF) with the following mandate:
      • [3.2.1]    To look after all internship-related funding matters;
      • [3.2.2]    To assess the churches each year based on the anticipated funding required for a particular summer;
      • [3.2.3]    To report about its activities to the next general synod, which report shall be sent to all the churches at least six months prior to the next general synod.
  • 3.2    The Willoughby Heights CanRC expresses appreciation for the detailed report submitted by the CPTPF, but notes 3 separate items for consideration:
    • 3.2.1    Willoughby Heights finds there is an imprecision in terminology where the report suggests that the church and the committee are two different entities;
    • 3.2.2    Willoughby Heights requests GS 2025 to mandate the CPTPF to reconsider guidelines 1b and 1c (appendix 2 of the report) and build in more financial flexibility and discretion for students who travel outside of Ontario;
    • 3.2.3    Willoughby Heights requests that the committee updates guideline 3b (appendix 2 of the report) regarding the timing for students to complete the program following the decision of GS 2019 art. 85 (Recommendation 5.1.2.4).

4.   Considerations

  • 4.1    The CPTPF has done its work with dedication and accountability, and the funding program has worked well.
  • 4.2    The Willoughby Heights CanRC is correct where it appears that the Guelph (Emmanuel) CanRC and Committee for Pastoral Training Program Funding (CPTPF) are 2 separate entities. Appendix 1 of the CPTPF report incorrectly states: “The Church at Guelph has been charged by Synod Smithers 2007 to appoint a Committee for Pastoral Training Program (PTP) Funding (Art. 159.2 of the Acts),” when in fact GS 2007 appointed Guelph (Emmanuel) itself as the Committee and not that the church was charged to appoint a committee.
  • 4.3    Willoughby Heights acknowledges that there are additional funds available for students that travel to Western Canada for their pastoral training as indicated in the Guidelines 1b. However, they correctly state that the additional funds are insufficient taking into account travel and accommodation expenses. Willoughby Heights encourages the committee to reconsider their policy as stated in Guideline 1b and 1c so that smaller churches will be more encouraged to participate and not be burdened by the additional costs of hosting students for the PTP.
  • 4.4    Willoughby Heights correctly indicates that Guideline 3b is at odds with the decision of GS 2019 art. 85 con. 5.1.2.4 which states: “That in the summer immediately following classical permission or licensure—whether this be after either the student’s second or third year of studies—the student must follow a summer internship . . . .”

5.   Recommendations

That Synod decide:

  • 5.1    To express gratitude to the Guelph (Emmanuel) CanRC for the work it has done as Committee for Pastoral Training Program Funding (CPTPF);
  • 5.2    To mandate the committee with the following:
    • 5.2.1    To look after all internship-related funding matters;
    • 5.2.2    To assess the churches each year based on the anticipated funding required for a particular summer;
    • 5.2.3    To receive and review the submission from the Willoughby Heights CanRC, make the necessary revisions according to Consideration 4.2 and 4.4; and to reconsider their Guidelines as indicated in Consideration 4.3;
    • 5.2.4    To submit its report on its activities to the churches 6 months prior to the convening of the next general synod.

ADOPTED