Tuesday 1st April 2008
General Synod took place this year against the backdrop of the debate over Sharia, and the Archbishop of Canterbury's comments the previous week about integrating some aspects of Sharia law into British law. His address to Synod was his first public address since those comments, which caused a media furore. It was welcomed by the majority of Synod members with a standing ovation. Below two synod members from our diocese give their own personal reaction to the issues raised at, and by, Synod.
John Chorlton, priest in charge of Britwell St George, Slough.
I returned from General Synod in two minds; on the one hand delighted at the business conducted and on the other rather uneasy. This is my opinion and not necessarily that of others.
I stood for General Synod because I believe the leadership of the church must not become disconnected from what happens in the parishes. Twice during Synod the vote went against the perceived wisdom of centralisation; first when the vote to set up the parsonages board was defeated leaving management of ‘vicarages’ as is; and second when the motion to centralise funeral and wedding fees was also defeated. Had they been passed the Oxford Diocese alone would have to have appointed at least two more people to work in Church House which is two less in the parish. ‘If it isn’t broke don’t fix it’ was a phrase often used. We are an organic body that exists for those who don’t yet belong and should certainly not try to regulate everything at every level.
The title ‘Dioceses Pastoral and Mission Measure, Part V: Mission Initiatives/Code of Practice’ is daunting; but now that it has been passed bishops and dioceses have a structure to enable ‘inherited’ and ‘fresh expressions’ of church to maximise opportunities for mission. There are many exciting and imaginative initiatives of evangelism and discipleship growing up in the most unlikely places – unlikely to us maybe but not to the Holy Spirit. No more ‘we can’t do that!’ but ‘Oh yes we can’ and the bishops are excited about it.
Being part of the Oxford group of 17 on the General Synod is often quite embarrassing. In one debate nearly half the speeches were from Oxford, and they were good speeches too. Two of our number, Philip Giddings and Archdeacon Norman Russell, are national treasures. They maintain a conviction and dignity that make me proud. Philip is the lay chair of Synod and Norman the prolocutor for Canterbury; they always sit up the front etc. In one debate we had pages of amendments to process, most put in by one person; after about the twentieth amendment when most of us had lost the will to live the proposer received a rather short and shoddy answer from the platform; Philip was immediately on his feet and restored dignity to the proposer and drew out a lively debate from the floor.
I am always pleasantly surprised at the spiritual content of the Synod; the high point for me was the Wednesday morning communion where Archbishop Rowan celebrated and preached. The worship was truly uplifting. The Archbishop began his sermon with a question: ‘What if God really is who he says he is?’ He continued talking about Jonah running away from and being angry at a ‘fresh expression’ of church; Jonah being a sign of our own frailty and the power of the resurrection at work in us and in the world. ‘Easter shows us that God really is who he says he is. We cannot manufacture love nor grace but we can open ourselves to the God who is who he says he is’.
There are fringe meetings at lunch times and listening to Bishop Tom Wright of Durham for example was inspirational. Coming out of the chamber one lunchtime on my way to hear the Archbishop of Canterbury and Steven Croft launch the Fresh Expressions book ‘Mission-shaped Questions’ I realised I did not know where the meeting was to be held. So I turned to the person walking next to me to ask if they knew – it happened to be Archbishop Rowan. I asked him ‘do you know where you are going?’ He was taken aback thinking that I was going to criticize him over the sharia debacle. I quickly rephrased my question; ‘I mean – do you know where the meeting is?’ He had been badly shaken by the previous weekend; I’m not sure he realised how shaken the whole church was. I sincerely hope that his PR is more carefully orchestrated in future but that still leaves us with the sharia issue on the table. That issue in itself, once you read the small print, is not too complex, but coming after statements about ‘no-go areas’ and ‘calls to prayer’ we all need to pray, study, and talk; this issue is not going away. Our Archbishop and our Bishops need our prayers. As I type this in Slough I realise I am still quite uneasy about all this and I cannot quite put my finger on what troubles me.
Brian Newey, licensed lay minister in Warborough
‘What do you think of the Archbishop?’ a BBC reporter asked on the steps to Church House. ‘He’s done what an Archbishop should,’ I said, ‘stimulate debate!’
‘How will Synod react?’ ‘I wouldn’t be surprised at a standing ovation.’ The media focused on the few sitting down, hands in lap, but the applause was full of regard, enthusiastic, hard to stop. Synod was with Rowan, who proved at ease and in fine form.
But we have another Archbishop! Sentamu arrived on day two off a night flight from Kenya in sparkling form. He told us about mediating between rival parties alongside Kofi Annan, and encouraging the Churches in their help to thousands of refugees. In Synod his key role was to open the debate on progress towards an Anglican Covenant, and urge us to take note – Synod-speak for authorising work to go on. Synod clearly approved, and we duly took note.
We also legislated. Synod approved new arrangements for senior Church appointments by the Crown. We embraced the Prime Minister’s intention no longer to influence the names he forwarded to the Queen. Dr. Christina Baxter, Lay Chair of Synod, thought a mature church should be radical and eliminate Downing Street’s role. Members were keener to keep Church and State hand in hand, and were content with a change that’s been hoped for since the seventies.
Still in law-making mode we began updating Clergy Conditions of Service. Common Tenure is coming. New appointments will soon see an end to ‘freehold’ – but incumbents’ title to the houses they live in will not be transferred to diocesan parsonages boards. Members were unconvinced of the need for such a change. In the same vein we adjourned debate on changing the administration of wedding and funeral fees. The proposals seemed to lack a defining principle, and the authorities have to think again. In commonsense mode General Synod carries clout!
Three debates reflected social and political concerns. Our own Tom Benyon secured a private member’s debate on the £40 billion a year now spent on gaming, and the proliferation of casinos. A broader amendment by Philip Giddings won strong support for a motion urging government action. We also gave informed attention to detention without charge and the problems of mental health.
But my abiding Synod memory is of Rowan preaching. At our Eucharist, with the day’s readings in mind (Jonah 3 and Luke 11, 29-32) he asked what the world would be like if we all behaved as if God is exactly as God says he is. How hard Jonah found it even in the face of the evidence, and how hard we find it; but reflecting on Jesus’ words, he made it seem possible. What an Archbishop we have, in this patently Christian man.