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NLCNZ is a regionally governed movement currently operating in 6 regions, ie:
- Auckland / Waikato
- Bay of Plenty
- Manawatu / East Coast Taranaki
- Wellington / Wairarapa Kapiti Coast
- Nelson / Marlborough / Westcoast / Canterbury
- Otago / Southland.
Resources and funding is made available to each region to fund regional activity.
Each of the regions appoints for a three year term one regional leader to both lead in and represent the region.
A: Responsiblities of a Regional Leader include:
- To practice and promote the core values of NLCNZ
- To support, encourage and bring counsel as required to ministers in the region who are part of the New Life movement of churches.
- To convene and co-ordinate the programmes for Regional Meetings, Ministry Action Schools and Regional conferences. IE three regional meetings and at least one MAS /Regional Conference per year.
- To meet with Regional Leaders as a representative of the region to bring contributions and requests to these meetings.
- To report back to the regions re discussions and conclusions of the Regional Leaders. In major decisions of doctrine and government, to refer back to the region for adequate discussion and feedback before final decisions are made at Regional Leaders meetings or the National Conference.
- In conjunction with other regional leaders, to provide oversight for the general business of the New Life Churches of NZ.
- In order to maintain unity and vision, each regional leader will make a priority of attending each meeting of the Regional Leaders. If absence is unavoidable, the Regional Leader can appoint a deputy to attend that particular meeting.
- To facilitate every three years the re-appointment of the regional leader or a new appointment by nomination and election.
- To mentor and train potential Regional Leaders.
B: Guidelines for nomination:
- Nominations to be requested and received by the present Regional Leader one month prior to the biannual election.
- Nominations are to be ratified by the senior leader prior to the actual vote.
- Nominees of regional leadership must be from those ministers in NLCNZ serving in heart and from churches that are financially supportive of NLCNZ via National Vision Funding.
- An election may not be necessary where only one nomination is received and the incumbent decides to stand aside.
- Voting papers including all nominees may be prepared for the regional meeting at which the vote is to be taken. This must be prior to the annual conference. Votes may be received from all credentialed ministers attending this meeting.
- In the event of a credentialed NLCNZ minister or spouse being unable to attend because of extreme circumstances or sickness, a written proxy can be given to the regional leader prior to the election date. This would be based on the nominations received one week before and would be tied to voting for one of those nominees.
- A first past the post voting method may be employed. The nominee with the greatest number of votes shall be deemed the regional leader(s) for the next two years.
- Votes to be received only from credentialed NLCNZ ministers and spouses.
- In the event of a drawn vote (i.e.: equal numbers being received for two or more nominees) the matter should be prayed through and presented again at the next regional meeting. Alternatively, other senior NLCNZ ministry could be asked to have a casting vote.
- All persons so appointed are to be confirmed by the next annual conference.
NLCNZ is currently administered from Christchurch with paid staff of a one day per week National Administrator and two days per week Personal Assistant.
The National Administrator is responsible to the National Leader and Regional Leaders to facilitate the life of our movement, to maintain credentials, to manage the NVF funds, to co-ordinate quarterly meetings of Regional Leaders and administer the National Conference.
The National Administrator also works with the National and Regional Leaders in developing and working out matters that affect our movement.
NLCNZ is led by a National Leader, whose appointment is on a three
year basis. Such review is initially in the hands of the Regional
Leaders who seek to both lead nationally and to represent their region.
We will recognise and acknowledge the emergence and influence of Gift
Ministries Eph 4:11.
- The National Leader is appointed every three years, and to provide continuity in an alternate year to the Regional Leaders.
- Operating with checks and balances, will keep us from either being independent or a highly centralised movement of churches.
- The Regional Leaders through prayer discussion and consensus will recommend to the Movement who they believe God is calling to lead the NLCNZ Churches.
- This is then ratified at the National Conference in that year by all credentialed NLCNZ Ministers attending With acceptance by at least 75% of those attending.
Role profile of the National Leader:
- To work in conjunction with Regional Leaders in the development of national initiatives and strategies that reflects the core values of NLCNZ.
- To lead and inspire the Regional Leaders.
- To lead the Regional Leaders Meetings and the National Conference or at their discretion to delegate to pastors.
- To co-opt leaders to complement Regional Leaders.
- To represent NLCNZ to APCNZ and other groups or at their discretion to delegate this.
- In association with Regional Leaders to work in the development and transition to a successor.
To prevent over centralisation and concentration of power in a few hands we have the following checks and balances.
- NLCNZ is a 3-fold relationship of
1. Local
2. Regional
3. National
It can be viewed as 3 concentric circles of relationships and vision.
- We will acknowledge the autonomy of local churches. However to be in relationship there may be certain circumstances in which National and Regional Leaders will have responsibility e.g.
1. Financial misappropriation by the pastor
2. Where a pastor has had moral failure
3. Where a pastor has grossly abused his authority
In these circumstances other ordained leaders should -
A. Deal with the matter locally
B. If it cannot be resolved locally then call in the regional leader
C. If it cannot be resolved at the regional level then referred (National Leader with leaders in council).
- All NLCNZ Churches are encouraged to facilitate and enhance city / area wide initiatives for unity and action as one church in a city / town / region with many congregations.
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