The work of the Diocesan Synod is supported by a wide range of boards, councils and committees which promote particular aspects of activity in the life of the Diocese. Membership of these groups is via a range of pathways: election, appointment, co-option, and by dint of holding another office. Each group has a unique mix of pathways to membership. The broad groupings are:
Statutory bodies
- Glebe Committee (under the Endowments and Glebe Measure 1976)
- Buildings Management and Strategy Committee (under the Repair of Benefice Buildings Measure 1972)
- Diocesan Advisory Committee (under the Care of Churches and Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Measure 1991)
- Diocesan Mission and Pastoral Committee (under the Mission and Pastoral Measure 2011)
- Churches Uniform Statutory Trust for Educational Endowments (CSUST) (under the Education Act 1966, Uniform Statutory Trusts for Education al Endowments Schedule 36 Section 557)
- Patronage Board (under the Patronage (Benefices) Measure 1986)
- The Bishop’s Council is stipulated in the Church Representation Rules (Schedule 3 to the Synodical Government Measure 1969); the Standing Committee of Diocesan Synod is established through the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Oxford Diocesan Board of Finance Ltd.
- “Creatures of Synod”, either reporting directly to the Diocesan Synod, or reporting to an overarching body which itself reports to the Diocesan Synod:
- Diocesan Board of Mission
- Diocesan Board of Education (itself a Company Limited by Guarantee and a Registered Charity – the Diocesan Boards of Education Measure 1991dictates much of the Governing document)
- Diocesan Committee for Interfaith Concerns (reporting to the Board of Mission)
- Diocesan Council for Partnership in World Mission (reporting to the Board of Mission)
Sub-Committees
Established by the Board of Directors to support their strategic and executive responsibilities:
- Audit Committee
- Human Resources Panel
- Glebe and DBF Investment Committee
- Pensions Sub-Committee
- Planning and Budget Sub-Committee
- Communications Strategy Oversight Group
- The Editorial Support Group
Companies
In addition there are several Companies operating within the life of the Dioceses:
- Diocesan Trustees (Oxford) Ltd (known as DTO)L), a Company limited by Guarantee
- Oxford Diocesan Educational Services Ltd (ODES)
- Plus some Charities which have a long-standing relationship with the Diocesan Synod:Diocesan Mothers’ Union
- Parents and Children Together (PACT)
- i-church
- Oxford Diocesan Council for the Deaf (ODCD)
The majority of these groups provide an Annual Report to the Diocesan Synod.