An update from the July General Synod from your representatives for the Diocese of Gloucester: the Revd Jennifer Fellows, Robert McNeill-Wilson, Canon Margaret Sheather, the Revd Canon Dana Delap, and the Ven Katrina Scott.
This was a busy set of sessions, but felt far more positive than expected. It felt as though people were more inclined to listen to differing points of view, and to respect them. Some important pieces of work were completed and there was welcome, but unexpected, agreement on a controversial item. There were mixed feelings about the financial debates with improvements in clergy stipends and pensions welcomed but frustration about the arrangements for central funding to parishes. You can read more about all these items below.
Spending Plans and Redistribution of Funds
These were two inter-locking items taken in the first two days of the Synod and included a key debate on the relationship of central funding to dioceses and parishes.
The Spending Plans are the Triennium Spending Plans for 2026-28 proposed by the Triennium Funding Working Group, agreed by the Church Commissioners and the Archbishop’s Council, which Synod was asked to welcome and commission the work necessary on any policy changes the plans involve. These included measures to address the findings of the Diocesan Finance Review (DFR) which highlighted that over 80% of dioceses face deficits, collectively exceeding £60 million annually.
There was an initial presentation of the proposals at the start of the Synod meeting, and then a formal debate on them on the following day. The proposals included:
- Significant improvements to clergy pensions
- Other measures related to clergy wellbeing, including stipend levels
- Funding for the Safeguarding Abuse Redress scheme (see below) and for the development of new structures for safeguarding
- Additional support for dioceses
The plans reflect distributions from the C of E National Endowment Fund of £1.6bn for 2026-28 and indicatively £4.7bn over the next nine years.
The Redistribution of Funds was a debate which was originally scheduled for the February Synod, but held over because of over-runs on other debates. It was based on a Diocesan Synod Motion that had originated in Hereford Diocese and was then supported by 10 other dioceses, including Gloucester, in an unusual show of diocesan unity. It asked the Church Commissioners and Archbishops’ Council to effect a redistribution of financial resources directly to Diocesan Stipends Funds to support parish ministry and proposed an amount that should be considered.
The delay in the debate was unfortunate as the proposals in the original motion were, by July, in conflict with the Spending Plans being brought forward as above. In the light of this, the original proposers of the motion proposed an amendment, developed in consultation with the central bodies of the Church, which attempted to bridge that gap but still made the case for some radical change. However, another amendment was brought forward from the centre which, while recognising the problems identified in the original motion, took a much less radical line, seeking further work, rather than the specific actions sought by the proposers of the original motion. As the amendment from the centre was debated first and was passed, the original proposers’ amendment was not debated, which was very disappointing for many people.
The Motion as amended by the Bishop of Sheffield and passed by Synod does provide some progress in response to what is a national, diocesan campaign. This included a commitment to Synod being consulted in the development of a new ‘Funding Framework’ to support ‘stipendiary ministry’ and for this to be debated early in the next Triennium (2026-28). So, it remains important for us to press, through Synod, for better financial support for the parish system.
Following that outcome the Spending Plans were approved at the later debate.
National Church Governance Measure: Final approval
Work on the National Church Governance Measure has been undertaken over the past four years with the intention of simplifying the working of the National Church Institutions (NCIs). The King’s consent had been given for the measure to be debated and earlier stages of the measure had been detailed and thorough. Although there was still some debate and challenge, the measure was passed with very strong support and general agreement that this was a significant step in reforming how the Church is governed nationally As well as increasing transparency and openness, the number of NCIs will be reduced from seven to four:
- Church of England National Services – CENS which will focus on delivery of the Church’s strategic objectives and will not be chaired by either of the archbishops.
- The National Society – focusing on education
- The Pensions Board – regulating clergy pension and retirement provision
- The Church Commissioners – focusing on delivering strong investment return
Legislation
A number of legislative matters were dealt with:
- The arrangements for licensing chaplains to the armed forces were regularised, with licences from the Archbishop of Canterbury now covering all dioceses for the purposes of forces chaplaincy. This was welcomed not only for its clarity but also for its recognition of and support for the key role of these clergy.
- A group of Church Representation Rules was approved. Most of these were concerned with changes to the arrangements for elections to General Synod which are due to be held in 2026. A variety of amendments were proposed but the only one that passed was that post-nominal letters (eg PhD, CBE etc) should not be include on the nomination form and invitation to vote.
- The remaining Rules covered a number of miscellaneous points and included the requirement for new members of PCCs to be provided by the Secretary with training materials that will be developed by the General Synod Business Committee.
Clergy pensions
Many of you will be aware of recent growing concerns about the level of clergy pensions and other related support in retirement. A Private Member’s Motion about this had attracted very high levels of support and the debate included many examples of the difficulties clergy were facing in retirement. While some significant improvements were now included in the Spending Plans, the motion called for significant further work and for a comprehensive review of what is needed to ensure that clergy and their dependents are supported in retirement with dignity and fairness. After some amendment it was passed unanimously.
Liturgical business
This was the first time for 12 years that Synod had liturgical business put to it. Two proposed additions to the liturgical calendar were welcomed and will now go into the formal process of development which will bring them back to Synod at various points for approval. The two proposed additions are:
- A Festival of God the Creator – in celebrating God as the maker of all things “visible and invisible” it will be distinct from the Creationtide focus on the wider creation
- A Commemoration of the Twenty-One Martyrs of Libya – these were captured in 2015 by Islamic State and filmed being executed for their faith
Both additions have strong ecumenical elements, joining other Christians in marking these occasions.
Audit and Risk Committee/Annual report
The Business Committee had proposed that both the Audit and Risk Paper and the Annual report be “deemed” as approved (ie without a debate in the Synod). However, sufficient members had requested that they should be debated that they were put into the agenda. In the event, the debates were brief, with the primary concern being the fall in the number of independent members on the Audit Committee: it was noted that this had been addressed and that the desirable increase would be provided for in CENS (see above) in due course. Both reports are available on the Cof E website.
Issues in human sexuality
The Synod voted to replace the 1991 document Issues in Human Sexuality with the 2015 Guidelines for the Professional Conduct of the Clergy (GPCC) during the discernment process for ordination. As part of the work on Prayers of Love and Faith (PLF), Synod had voted two years ago that the Issues document should be replaced but delays in the production of the PLF guidance led to this new proposal being put forward. Issues needed to be replaced because its language and outlook are now very outdated, and in addition, it had never originally been intended for use in the discernment process. There was an almost unanimous welcome for this change with supportive speeches from all shades of opinion on the wider PLF topic.
Abuse redress
The redress scheme for victims and survivors of church-related abuse moved closer to completion when Synod gave the Measure its final approval. This followed several years of careful work with victims and survivors closely involved throughout, and reports to Synod at earlier stages. This had a thorough review and debate in Synod and its approval marks a significant step forward in the Church’s safeguarding work.
Terminally Ill Adults Bill
In the final debate, members discussed the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, triggered by the Bishop of London’s motion, which asked Synod to reaffirm the ‘immeasurable and irreducible value’ of every person and to request His Majesty’s Government to improve palliative care funding. Voices were heard on different perspectives, including those who supported assisted dying but also sought improvement in palliative care. The motion was passed, with strong support for the approach the bishops are taking in the House of Lords.
Guest speakers
The Synod was addressed by several guest speakers.
The Archbishop in Jerusalem, Hosam Naoum received a standing ovation and, in his speech, pleaded with the Church of England to stand with his “wounded” church as is withstood violence, bombing and threats of “ethnic cleansing”. His diocese covers five nations in the Middle East and he spoke movingly about how it aims to offer the love of Christ in deeds of hospitality and hope, mentioning in particular the Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza which has suffered several attacks. He called for a permanent ceasefire with no ethnic cleansing and the return of substantial medical and humanitarian support rather than the “hunger games” of the GHF.
The Archbishop of Hong Kong, Andrew Chan focussed on mutuality and common ground as the church facing similar challenges in the present age. He talked of political stability in Hong Kong but growing economic problems, though the people are known for their resilience. The Church will continue its extensive ministry and impartial services to all.
Canon Chuck Robertson quoted the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church in the USA, to whom he is the senior advisor: “Our structures, our budgets, our relationships will only matter if we do it for the sake of the gospel…How we interact with one another when we gather is also absolutely crucial.” Two good messages for the General Synod!
The Bishop of Tunsberg, in Norway brought greetings from the Porvoo Communion. He focussed on shared work in Iraq on peace-building and religious tolerance and also about the risk that recent conflict zones are easily displace from our attention by new difficulties.
Presentations
Two presentations, both celebratory in nature, were made. The first was on Church growth and revitalisation with some inspiring speakers who rather rubbed in their age: one commented on his limited life experience as being ‘rather less than most in this chamber’ – an understatement which drew a large round of applause. The positive message was used to press for improved sustainability. A 40% increase in giving in the area concerned had led to a 14% increase in parish share.
The presentation on Thy Kingdom Come was affirming and included powerful illustrations of the impact of this initiative. A comment which resonated strongly was from the Bishop of Blackburn who observed: ‘Why are we surprised by God answering prayer?’ Do look out early next year for the materials provided for use in parishes so you can prepare well for next year’s Thy Kingdom Come.
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