GENERAL SYNOD DIARY FEBRUARY 2105
Tuesday 10th February
9.45a.m.Train was on time and travelled down with Rev Maureen Hobbs.
Straight to Church House. Lunch and opening short worship.
Address by Archbishop of the Chaldean Diocese of Erbil, Iraq
He said that there have been wars in 1915, 1953, 1961 and 1969, but the latest genocide has reduced the Christian population to 125,000. Many people have left, either displaced or as refugees and there has been 'a cessation of religion and culture'. The Church has 'no guarantee of security' and they need 'financial and material support'. He asked for two things:
us to pray for them;
us to use relationships to make others aware of the situation as they wait for aid.
He hopes to use church land to make rental units available for those whose homes are in ruins.
Business Committee Report
There were complaints about the lack of discussion on the Green Report, priority for clergy children in church schools when they move, the type of print used in the Rural Churches Report [far too small and wrong colour], lack of time to discuss younger people, zero hours contracts, working week, asylum seekers and the process for amendments.
General Synod Elections 2015
This outlined the changes in numbers of seats for the dioceses depending on the numbers on church rolls. Lichfield will have 6 clergy but laity are reduced by 1 member to 6 members.
Presidential Address
Justin Welby spoke about his sympathies for the Christians who are being persecuted; William Temple and his influence, witness and evangelism.
Report on Mission Experience in India
It was good to see Libby Lane, the first woman bishop, at GS and our own diocesan rep, Rev Jane Tillier there with photos of the families they stayed with in two villages, the women's enterprises they saw and the necessity for micro-finance, the paddy field labourers, the children, the importance of washing hands, the poverty they experienced, all of which had a profound effect on their lives. The change from benign paternalism and some aid to Enabling, Empowering, Transforming and Liberating was noted.
A memorable time which was suggested for all those in senior positions.
Legislative business
Were we quorate as everyone rushed out for tea? There weren't enough bishops so some rushed back in...followed by legislation to change the representatives from the universities to 'universities and theological institutions' and in the diocese of Europe and Sodor and Man[which have no deaneries] to allocate GS reps and numbers.
Another argument broke out again over the naming of dioceses to regional names rather than the name of the cathedral, due to the Diocese of West Yorkshire and the Dales wishing as a diocesan synod to have a regional name. They do have 3 cathedrals after the reorganisation and do not want to be known as the Diocese of Leeds. That was not voted through, but permission is available anyway.
Bishops 3 for, 10 against
Clergy 34 for, 66 against
Laity 65 for, 48 against
Questions
A new format of written answers to all questions was trialled. This allowed any extra questions on the same subject to be asked straight away. A roving microphone was used for the first time too.
Questions were asked about church involvement:
Despite the extra time given by written replies we did not finish the questions.
We were then told about the next day's work.
Wednesday 11th
Small group work on discipleship led by the Bishop of Manchester- talked about teaching, our churches, different approaches.
Resourcing the Future- large group presentation on whether we should use some of the extra money for mission- Yes.
Extra money- church assets rose from £6.1b to 6.7b from Dec 13- Dec 14 partly due to sales of property, partly good return on investments.
Several important points:
Darlow formula not working, need new system
Proposed additional money for mission- 50% to poorer parishes, 50% for mission [bid sysytem]
New formula much simpler- average resident's income and deprivation.
10 year transition period to new formula
Current system
Subsidises decline
unaccountable
complex
fails the poorest
mechanical
status quo
Proposed system
Invests in growth
accountable
simple
targets the poorest
relational
enables initiatives
It is a myth that the reduction in pension spending will subsidise growth spending.
Current spending is:
£46m on parishes
£9m on cathedrals
£31m on bishops
£8m on other things- pensions, training, central resources etc
Proposed new spending is £200m over 10 yrs. Is this enough?
I spoke about the 3 year funding allocation for dioceses which does not fit with funding posts or long term planning- they are thinking of 7 yrs, I asked for 10. I also commented that evaluation was important and that some projects would fail; this was acknowledged.
Resourcing the Future and Resourcing Ministerial Education
This debate was frustrating as 9 amendments had been tabled in the wrong order so most of the discussion was on the amendments. Bad idea to put these two reports together and more time should have been allocated. Broad consensus on the following:
Church members provide £1.4b of voluntary work each yr.
Rev Mark Ireland spoke about developing a 'community of missionary disciples'.
More comments were:
Simpification
A group including Julie Jones, our Diocesan Secretary, has been meeting to try to facilitate changes to legislation that will make it easier to reorganise the church. Three major concerns:
Other points raised- curates to be allowed to stay another year before their first post, assistant curates as locally supported ministers, turnaround posts- 3yrs, no sick notes if no stipend, new Bishop's Pastoral Order for admin, streamlining consultations on pastoral reorganisation, deanery plans, read notices for congregations on draft schemes, review teams and groups [especially rural], support 'festival churches', streamline consultation for closed churches, simplify Bishop's Mission Orders, compensation for priests, glebe transactions without consultation of priests and PCCs, patronage to lapse to diocesan bishop were all passed.
Church Commissioners' Funds and Inter- Generational Equity
This debate saw discussion about spending additional money opened for everyone. It became apparent that other dioceses have not been using their mission money on a bidding system, as we have for some time in Lichfield. Diocesan officers now have to report to Church House on spending.
There was an attempt to derail this discussion by moving to further business which was firmly defeated. The recommendations to spend the extra money were passed.
Thursday 12th February
Draft safeguarding and Clergy Discipline measure
This was amended to include more recommendations from the Cahill report and in light of conversations with survivors of abuse. The role of the diocesan safeguarding officer, risks are outlined, suspensions are clarified, churchwardens are notified and all other necessary parties. Guidance for Readers is being developed. Recommendations were accepted.
Private Member's motion to remove restrictions on burials for suicides
Most of discussion was directed with great sympathy for the families. A member of the C of E Youth Council spoke movingly about young people and suicide. 500 suicides per yr in the 15-24 age groups. 50% experience self-loathing, 19% of young people self harm, 26% report suicidal feelings, leading cause of death in under 35s. Speakers commented on the hope of salvation, peace and reunion hopes for families.
Paul Fiddes, the Baptist Union rep, talked about his son's suicide aged 19, the difficulties of the definitions of sound and unsound mind, the Calvinist view of rejecting the gift of life and the Armenian view of being cut off from salvation. Others spoke of finding those who had commited suicide, Blackpool deprivation and depression, a 19th grave where the family had to appeal to the Assizes for burial, the lack of liturgical resources.
Passed with 5 against and 6 abstentions.
Alternative Textes for Christian Baptism
Having sat to the Revision Committee I thought this would create a lot of debate but it was passed with few comments. The decision responses had been changed to 'I do' to help the candidates and parents. The 'powers of evil' were referred to by reference to Ephesians 6. An amendment to refer to Noah over the blessing of the water was defeated.
Mission and Growth in Rural Multi-Parish Benefices' report
This was received as reflecting the gifts of lay people, pastoral visiting, advantages of LEPs, partnerships with the wider community. Comments were made about Deans for mission and development, being overstretched, opportunities for growth, top down strategies, training issues for lay people, Fresh Expressions, admin burdens, communion by extension being necessary, huge geographical areas being covered, the need to support farmers, farm visits for children, the burden of buildings. Despite this the report was hopeful and reorganisation recognised as necessary.
Synod concluded with farewells to a member of the legal team and the Bishop of Knaresborough.
Rushed back to Euston by taxi and just caught the 18.05 from Euston.
Tuesday 10th February
9.45a.m.Train was on time and travelled down with Rev Maureen Hobbs.
Straight to Church House. Lunch and opening short worship.
Address by Archbishop of the Chaldean Diocese of Erbil, Iraq
He said that there have been wars in 1915, 1953, 1961 and 1969, but the latest genocide has reduced the Christian population to 125,000. Many people have left, either displaced or as refugees and there has been 'a cessation of religion and culture'. The Church has 'no guarantee of security' and they need 'financial and material support'. He asked for two things:
us to pray for them;
us to use relationships to make others aware of the situation as they wait for aid.
He hopes to use church land to make rental units available for those whose homes are in ruins.
Business Committee Report
There were complaints about the lack of discussion on the Green Report, priority for clergy children in church schools when they move, the type of print used in the Rural Churches Report [far too small and wrong colour], lack of time to discuss younger people, zero hours contracts, working week, asylum seekers and the process for amendments.
General Synod Elections 2015
This outlined the changes in numbers of seats for the dioceses depending on the numbers on church rolls. Lichfield will have 6 clergy but laity are reduced by 1 member to 6 members.
Presidential Address
Justin Welby spoke about his sympathies for the Christians who are being persecuted; William Temple and his influence, witness and evangelism.
Report on Mission Experience in India
It was good to see Libby Lane, the first woman bishop, at GS and our own diocesan rep, Rev Jane Tillier there with photos of the families they stayed with in two villages, the women's enterprises they saw and the necessity for micro-finance, the paddy field labourers, the children, the importance of washing hands, the poverty they experienced, all of which had a profound effect on their lives. The change from benign paternalism and some aid to Enabling, Empowering, Transforming and Liberating was noted.
A memorable time which was suggested for all those in senior positions.
Legislative business
Were we quorate as everyone rushed out for tea? There weren't enough bishops so some rushed back in...followed by legislation to change the representatives from the universities to 'universities and theological institutions' and in the diocese of Europe and Sodor and Man[which have no deaneries] to allocate GS reps and numbers.
Another argument broke out again over the naming of dioceses to regional names rather than the name of the cathedral, due to the Diocese of West Yorkshire and the Dales wishing as a diocesan synod to have a regional name. They do have 3 cathedrals after the reorganisation and do not want to be known as the Diocese of Leeds. That was not voted through, but permission is available anyway.
Bishops 3 for, 10 against
Clergy 34 for, 66 against
Laity 65 for, 48 against
Questions
A new format of written answers to all questions was trialled. This allowed any extra questions on the same subject to be asked straight away. A roving microphone was used for the first time too.
Questions were asked about church involvement:
- on climate change- already meeting govt officials, looking at fossil fuels
- funeral poverty-there is already discretion to waive fees
- food banks and their funding- 80% of C of E churches support food banks persecuted Christians- heard from Archbishop from Iraq
- men and mission- some success with Fresh Expressions
- intentional evangelism- a review?
- human sexuality- postponed until diocesan conversations have taken place, each diocese has freedom to decide how, there will be regional conversations too, final one in March 2016.
- average house value £2.26m
- maintenance of houses- av £61,079p.a.
- 26 houses have more than 6 bedrooms
- 11 bishops have drivers [4 of these also garden] at total cost of £207,400p.a
- suffragans houses- owned by dioceses
- what is the relationship between amalgamating parishes and growth-research being done
- what is being done about social media- more Twitter followers, daily media digest, weekly podcast, Tumblr blog, monthly Inreview
- more women in Task Groups- JW agreed more needed
- how are bishops trained to use biblical contexts for public statements etc- expertise available
- recognition of Muslims as our neighbours- Christian-Muslim Forum
- Safeguarding- piloted programme in 2015, rolled out in 2016
Despite the extra time given by written replies we did not finish the questions.
We were then told about the next day's work.
Wednesday 11th
Small group work on discipleship led by the Bishop of Manchester- talked about teaching, our churches, different approaches.
Resourcing the Future- large group presentation on whether we should use some of the extra money for mission- Yes.
Extra money- church assets rose from £6.1b to 6.7b from Dec 13- Dec 14 partly due to sales of property, partly good return on investments.
Several important points:
Darlow formula not working, need new system
Proposed additional money for mission- 50% to poorer parishes, 50% for mission [bid sysytem]
New formula much simpler- average resident's income and deprivation.
10 year transition period to new formula
Current system
Subsidises decline
unaccountable
complex
fails the poorest
mechanical
status quo
Proposed system
Invests in growth
accountable
simple
targets the poorest
relational
enables initiatives
It is a myth that the reduction in pension spending will subsidise growth spending.
Current spending is:
£46m on parishes
£9m on cathedrals
£31m on bishops
£8m on other things- pensions, training, central resources etc
Proposed new spending is £200m over 10 yrs. Is this enough?
I spoke about the 3 year funding allocation for dioceses which does not fit with funding posts or long term planning- they are thinking of 7 yrs, I asked for 10. I also commented that evaluation was important and that some projects would fail; this was acknowledged.
Resourcing the Future and Resourcing Ministerial Education
This debate was frustrating as 9 amendments had been tabled in the wrong order so most of the discussion was on the amendments. Bad idea to put these two reports together and more time should have been allocated. Broad consensus on the following:
- aspiration of growth
- stabilise clergy numbers
- more lay leaders- Hurray!
- right people in right posts
Church members provide £1.4b of voluntary work each yr.
Rev Mark Ireland spoke about developing a 'community of missionary disciples'.
More comments were:
- few dioceses have development of laity on their MAPs
- lay people do not receive enough theological or apologetic training
- infant baptism is not recognised as a baptism by unchurched families
- Leicester is second fastest growing diocese
- building issues need tackling
- bad examples of training- Rev Pat Hawkins spoke about getting to training locations without a car
- how do we measure a project's success?
- we need to include everyone
- some churchgoers are followers in their daily lives and need affirming, have no energy for church life
Simpification
A group including Julie Jones, our Diocesan Secretary, has been meeting to try to facilitate changes to legislation that will make it easier to reorganise the church. Three major concerns:
- pastoral reorganisation, diocesan/parish management
- bureaucracy
- redundant paperwork
Other points raised- curates to be allowed to stay another year before their first post, assistant curates as locally supported ministers, turnaround posts- 3yrs, no sick notes if no stipend, new Bishop's Pastoral Order for admin, streamlining consultations on pastoral reorganisation, deanery plans, read notices for congregations on draft schemes, review teams and groups [especially rural], support 'festival churches', streamline consultation for closed churches, simplify Bishop's Mission Orders, compensation for priests, glebe transactions without consultation of priests and PCCs, patronage to lapse to diocesan bishop were all passed.
Church Commissioners' Funds and Inter- Generational Equity
This debate saw discussion about spending additional money opened for everyone. It became apparent that other dioceses have not been using their mission money on a bidding system, as we have for some time in Lichfield. Diocesan officers now have to report to Church House on spending.
There was an attempt to derail this discussion by moving to further business which was firmly defeated. The recommendations to spend the extra money were passed.
Thursday 12th February
Draft safeguarding and Clergy Discipline measure
This was amended to include more recommendations from the Cahill report and in light of conversations with survivors of abuse. The role of the diocesan safeguarding officer, risks are outlined, suspensions are clarified, churchwardens are notified and all other necessary parties. Guidance for Readers is being developed. Recommendations were accepted.
Private Member's motion to remove restrictions on burials for suicides
Most of discussion was directed with great sympathy for the families. A member of the C of E Youth Council spoke movingly about young people and suicide. 500 suicides per yr in the 15-24 age groups. 50% experience self-loathing, 19% of young people self harm, 26% report suicidal feelings, leading cause of death in under 35s. Speakers commented on the hope of salvation, peace and reunion hopes for families.
Paul Fiddes, the Baptist Union rep, talked about his son's suicide aged 19, the difficulties of the definitions of sound and unsound mind, the Calvinist view of rejecting the gift of life and the Armenian view of being cut off from salvation. Others spoke of finding those who had commited suicide, Blackpool deprivation and depression, a 19th grave where the family had to appeal to the Assizes for burial, the lack of liturgical resources.
Passed with 5 against and 6 abstentions.
Alternative Textes for Christian Baptism
Having sat to the Revision Committee I thought this would create a lot of debate but it was passed with few comments. The decision responses had been changed to 'I do' to help the candidates and parents. The 'powers of evil' were referred to by reference to Ephesians 6. An amendment to refer to Noah over the blessing of the water was defeated.
Mission and Growth in Rural Multi-Parish Benefices' report
This was received as reflecting the gifts of lay people, pastoral visiting, advantages of LEPs, partnerships with the wider community. Comments were made about Deans for mission and development, being overstretched, opportunities for growth, top down strategies, training issues for lay people, Fresh Expressions, admin burdens, communion by extension being necessary, huge geographical areas being covered, the need to support farmers, farm visits for children, the burden of buildings. Despite this the report was hopeful and reorganisation recognised as necessary.
Synod concluded with farewells to a member of the legal team and the Bishop of Knaresborough.
Rushed back to Euston by taxi and just caught the 18.05 from Euston.