Crosslink column
by Richard Davis
Research Executive Officer
Joint Methodist Presbyterian Public Questions Committee
Consensus decision-making gives a voice to minorities
In November the Public Questions Committee published a booklet titled Consensus and Community. Aimed at decision-making parts of the churches it encourages a critical use of consensus decision-making techniques and the creation of the atmosphere in which good decisions can be made.
The Methodist Church has used a form of consensus decision making for some time, while the Presbyterian Church is beginning to investigate this form of dealing with issues. Yet for both churches building the common interests and agendas for action is an ongoing task.
One reason why the Public Questions Committee supports consensus is that it enables minority voices to be heard and given influence, removing tyranny by the majority. This is important in biculturalism. Pre-European Maori society did not use majority voting, they talked things out in open community meetings, which sometimes when on for days, until agreement was reached. Adversarial democracy, where the majority rules, was introduced into Aotearoa by the English. In national politics Maori were not given universal suffrage until after Pakeha outnumbered them. The system of majority rule has dominated Maori ever since.
There is also a biblical justification for using consensus. The early Christian community managed to reach a common mind on whether gentile Christians had to be circumcised (Acts 15). That the assembly reached consensus on this issue can be seen in verse 22, where it is written: "Then the apostles and the elders, with the consent of the whole church, decided to choose men from among their members and to send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas." The whole church reaching a common mind is further expressed in the assemblies' letter to the church in Antioch, "we have decided unanimously to choose representatives and send them to you, along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul."
In addition to such theory, and reasons for the adoption of consensus, Consensus and Community also gives practical guidance for the establishment of consensus decision-making procedures.
Consensus and Community is available from "Consensus and Community", PQ Committee, PO Box 9049, Wellington. Or email orders to <pq@pcanz.org.nz>. Cost .