St Johns Papatoetoe is a member of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand (PCANZ). As a Presbyterian church, our parish council (called a Session) is the lowest ‘court’ when it comes to matters of church government.
St Johns Papatoetoe is a part of the Northern Presbytery within PCANZ. The Presbytery is made up of representatives from each of the churches within its geographical territory. The representatives are each church’s ministers and one elder elected by each Session. St Johns Papatoetoe is subject to all matters of church government decided upon by the Presbytery.
The highest court within the Presbyterian form of church government is the General Assembly (GA). Every parish has a representative sent to the GA. St Johns Papatoetoe and Northern Presbytery are subject to all matters of church government decided upon by the General Assembly.
This year, for the first time ever, the GA (GA21) is being conducted virtually. Equally unprecedented is that it is available for viewing by non-commissioners. The theme for GA21 is:
Empowering Generations.
Watch the opening worship service on YouTube here for 29 September 2021, 7 pm.
The order of service is available here.
The Business of GA21 will be conducted across 4 sessions on 30 September 2021, 8.30 am – 5.00 pm and is available here.