The Business of General Synod
Synod, as you will soon enough understand is an unusual body! Modelled on parliament, trying to behave like the family of God and having responsibility for passing legislation (that must be approved by parliament) everyone has a real desire to engage with the mission of the Church but in many diverse ways. Led by the Archbishops who are advised by their Council, Synod genuinely seeks through listening and debate to hear the mind of the whole Church and provide a framework for it to do mission well.
How will I contribute to the business of Synod?
As a member of Synod your greatest participation, certainly at first will be by listening and voting. If you know what you think and only turn up for the vote you‘ll miss out on a lot – you might even miss out on changing your mind! If you have a particular expertise or point to make in debate then you can speak – there are helpful hints about this in the Guide to Synod and on the induction day.
How does the Business get to the Agenda?
The Business that the Synod does and the manner in which it is done is set out in Standing Orders and decided by the Business Committee who meet between Synods to agree the Agenda.
Business is brought to Synod in a number of ways!! All the Boards and Councils, various Church and church related groups and the House of Bishops can place business before the Business Committee through David Williams the Clerk to the Synod.
How can I get something debated?
Dioceses and individual members may bring motions to General Synod. Dioceses by passing them at their own Synod – in which case they must be debated at General Synod unless they are encompassed by some business that is already before Synod. (Good examples of this are Diocesan motions relating to the Act of Synod and women‘s ministry that have been "parked" because they relate closely to the work on Women in the Episcopate.) Private Members Motions must be submitted to the Synod staff and attract 100 signatures from other members to support its debate. Once this is achieved it comes before the Business Committee for a place on the Agenda. These motions "time out" at the end of a Quinquennium but in the life of the last Synod we debated all the PMM‘s that attained their 100 signatures.
If you (or a Diocese) intends bringing a motion it‘s a really good idea to speak to the friendly Synod Support and Legal staff. They won‘t try to change your mind but they will help you put it into a form that will work for Synod. There‘s nothing more disheartening than having a motion passed over for debate because of its wording!!
How does the Business Committee decide the Agenda?
Normally the Business committee will attempt to put one or two of each of these "grass roots" kinds of motions on the Agenda depending on the time available. The inclusion of other business is determined by a number of factors. Timing is often important as is the case when other bodies will be discussing the same issue and need to hear the outcome of our debate. Presenting as well a balanced agenda where we neither do too much of the same nor miss the opportunity to put together items of business that support one another in some way. Of course because people are passionate about what they do they can be disappointed when they don‘t get quite the timing they‘d like! The process of legal business also takes a priority as this often has several stages and so timing of presentation is important. One of our Archbishops gives a Presidential address at each Synod and they are the only people who can decide that we have an unscheduled – emergency- debate.
Membership of the Business Committee is part elected and part appointed by Archbishops Council – they are held accountable by making a report to Synod in writing before each group of sessions and this is debated – here is the place to air your questions and complaints – but not to ride your hobby horses or you will find your speech disallowed by the Chair!!
As well as ordering business the committee is also responsible for its smooth running. During the past Quinquennium it has sought the opinion of members in an open meeting and by circulating a questionnaire. We have worked at bringing forward a new way of presenting reports to make them simpler to read and less costly on the environment to produce. Like the Archbishops‘ Council and many members of synod we have been thinking hard about the role and function of Synod and these discussions will be continuing – with you as part of them!
Enjoy!!
The Revd. Sue Booys
