Sunday at General Synod

http://www.evangelicals.org/news.asp?id=1034

[EVNews] 12 July 2009--Business on a Sunday at Synod begins after lunch and today it began with consideration of a report called Opening the Doors. The report has a subtitle that explains more accurately the subject – Ministry with people with learning difficulties and people on the autistic spectrum. Synod members were apparently provided with a DVD, which is also available to be shown to PCCs in order to consider how churches can take account of the matters raised. In addition there was encouragement given to Dioceses appointing an officer to oversee such ministry which is all very worthy but is in danger of adding yet another post to the central structures of a Diocese when there is a need to concentrate more ministry in parishes and allows the parishes to tackle such matters themselves.

A debate on Review of Constitutions may not sound very exciting but turned out to be quite lively. The Archbishops Council, on the recommendation of senior Church House staff had brought forward proposals to replace most of the existing boards and councils. The idea was to have a lead spokesperson on each area with a group of advisors and a further group who would meet once a year to review their work. For Synod members who are accustomed to electing and serving on the existing boards and councils this was always going to be a red rag to a bull. Indeed, whilst it may be more cost effective (although this is not clear) and more responsive to issues it is feared that there will be far less accountability and far fewer people, most those who are unelected, involved.