General Synod
General Synod is the 'Parliament' of the Church of England
The following article is provided by General Synod as a summary of the latest meeting:
Summary of General Synod, July 2009
July’s General Synod was primarily concerned with financial issues, legislation and other governance issues, alongside discussions of The Children’s Society’s Good Childhood Inquiry and ministry with people with learning disabilities.
Finance
The economic downturn provided a challenging context for a debate on Christian Stewardship, after which the Synod commended Giving for Life, a report from the National Stewardship Committee, and an accompanying parish guide. The Synod reaffirmed its challenge to church members to give 5 per cent of their after tax income to and through the church, and a similar amount to other work that helps to build God’s kingdom.
The Synod heard a presentation by the Clergy Pensions Task Group on the future options for the Clergy Pensions Scheme. Their report forms the basis of a current consultation .
Synod noted the report on the Archbishops’ Council’s spending priorities for the period 2010-2015; approved the Council’s budget for 2010; and considered the annual reports of the Council and the Church Commissioners.
Legislation
Synod revised the draft Ecclesiastical Fees (Amendment) Measure, and approved the Ecclesiastical Offices (Terms of Service) Regulations. It gave final approval for two draft Measures dealing with issues relating to Crown appointments, for a number of changes to the Rules of the Funded Pensions Scheme and the Past Service Scheme, and some detailed changes to the Church Representation Rules. Synod also gave First Consideration to two draft measures consolidating current legislation on pastoral reorganisation and on the care of cathedrals.
Governance
Following debate, a motion from the Bradford Diocesan Synod calling for reductions in the numbers of bishops and other senior clergy was amended to call for a progress report on changes to the pattern of dioceses and episcopal deployment, in light of the re-establishment of the Dioceses Commission. Synod also requested a report on the exercise of senior leadership in the Church, complemented by biblical and theological perspectives.
A Diocesan Synod motion from London, supported by a similar motion from Chelmsford Diocese, expressed concerns about the pastoral implications of the Clergy Discipline Measure. Synod invited a report from the Clergy Discipline Commission on whether there is a case for bringing forward draft legislation to amend the Measure or the Code of Practice.
Proposals from the Constitutions Review Group to replace the existing Boards and Councils and restructure the way in which work is done on behalf of the Archbishops’ Council were rejected. The Synod requested revised proposals providing for the fuller participation of elected Synod members.
The Archbishop of Canterbury made a presentation about the recent meeting of the Anglican Communion Council in
The Church’s ministry and the community
Synod considered a response prepared by the Archbishops’ Council’s
The Rt Revd Stephen Lowe made a presentation reflecting on his three years’ work as Bishop for Urban Life and Faith and answered questions from Synod members.
Synod commended guidelines in ‘Opening the Doors: Ministry with People with Learning Disabilities and People on the Autistic Spectrum’ for consideration by dioceses and parishes. The report highlights examples of good practice for the inclusion of people with learning disabilities in the life and work of the Church.
There was also a presentation and group work for Synod members on a report from the Council for Christian Unity and the Faith and Order Advisory Group, on the report of the Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission on Life in Christ.
Background papers for each debates, alongside links to an audio archive of each session, are available at:
http://www.cofe.anglican.org/about/gensynod/agendas/july09/
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