Allan Starr reports on a survey of NSW Presbyterians
For over twenty years, some within the Presbyterian church in NSW/ACT have been actively seeking to move to male-only eldership. I myself recently attended a Presbyterian church in NSW for some years. I offer no comment on this proposal in this post.
Recently, a survey was conducted within the church regarding views on the potential impacts of this proposed change. This survey was conducted to ensure compliance with relevant WHS guidelines. A report has been written, and the committee tasked with conducting the survey have advised that ‘this report is not confidential’.
The results were striking, and I share some of the stats.
In response to the question whether quality of leadership would be affected, 12% of church members/adherents felt the impact would be positive, and 56% felt it would be negative. 3% of deacons, 14% of elders, and 27% of ministers felt the change would have a positive impact. 57% of deacons, 54% of elders, and 25% of ministers felt the change would have a negative impact. Others said no impact or unsure.
In response to the question whether one’s emotional and/or psychological well-being would be impacted, 10% of members/adherents felt the impact would be positive, and 49% felt the impact would be negative. 9% of deacons, 10% of elders, and 25% of ministers felt the impact would be positive. 66% of deacons, 43% of elders and 20% of ministers felt the impact would be negative. Others said no impact or unsure.
With regards to the incidence of conflict, bullying, or harassment, and the willingness of staff/volunteers to report it, a large chunk of the various groups said there would be no change (these percentages varied from 28% to 58%). Having said that, however, EVERY group agreed that the likelihood of increased incidence was greater than the likelihood of reduced incidence, and EVERY group agreed that the likelihood of reduced willingness to report it was greater than the likelihood of increased willingness to report it.
20% of Presbyterian churches in NSW/ACT have one or more female elders as well as male elders, and 20% of the churches that responded to the survey also have female elders, suggesting the survey response was very representative. However, it should be noted that the results are actually slightly skewed because 31% of the individual responses came from churches with female elders. Even so, the results are still striking.
It should also be noted that some responses which predicted an improved emotional or psychological state if the change went ahead, were not due to supporting male-only eldership but simply reflected a desire for the debate to be over.
Whilst this survey did not actually ask for people’s views on male-only eldership, the questions posed and the results certainly enable one to deduce reasonably accurately the level of support for this change across the various leadership and church member groups.
It is very evident that the proposed change has very little support amongst those ‘in the pew’ or amongst those serving as deacons, and not much higher amongst those serving as elders. The support is highest amongst ministers, but even here the support does not appear to be a majority.
Please join me in praying that if this comes to a vote at the Assembly next week, those who vote will prayerfully keep the survey results in mind. Those on both sides of this debate in the NSW/ACT Presbyterian church sincerely believe they are guided by the Bible on this issue, but this issue is causing ongoing pain for people on both sides of the debate and many have left the Presbyterian church as a result.
A new proposal is desperately needed to break the cycle.
Image: Burwood Presbyterian. Image Credit: Sydney Organ