FIRST PAPER, ISSUED 1851

Minute upon the Employment and Ordination of Native Teachers

General Principles

The advanced state of missions having rendered it desirable to record the views of the Society upon the employment and ordination of native teachers, the following particulars are given for the information of its missionaries:

1. In all questions relating to the settlement of a native Church in any mission field, it is important to keep in view the distinction between the office of a Missionary, who preaches to the heathen, and instructs inquirers or recent converts, and the office of a Pastor, who ministers in holy things to a congregation of native Christians.

2. Whilst the work of a missionary may involve for a time the pastoral care of newly-baptized converts, it is important that, as soon as settled congregations are formed, such pastoral care should be devolved upon native teachers, under the missionary's superintendence.

3. The native teacher, who approves himself ‘apt to teach’ is appointed to the office of a Catechist. The office of a catechist has been always recognised in the Church of Christ for evangelistic work, his function being to preach to the heathen, and to minister in congregations of converts until they are provided with a native pastor.

4. As a general rule, a catechist should be presented to the Bishop for ordination only with a view to his becoming pastor of some specified native congregation or district.