Synod observer (2)

Day two of the Church of England General Synod's meeting in Westminster.

The whole morning at Synod was given over to the work of the Archbishops' Task Group on Evangelism. Synod began with worship andf discussion in twenty small groups of 22-23 people spread across Church House and Lambeth Palace.

The aim was to enable synod members to bring their own experience and insights on evangelism, and to share their own stories of coming to faith.

After a break for coffee, back in the chamber, the Archbishops Task Group spoke about different aspects of evangelism (among young people; on outer estates; among ethnic minorities) with the Archbishop of Canterbury (above) kicking off the debate saying that evangelism and witness is 'our duty, privilege and joy.'

Highlights of the presentation and the debate that followed included the Bishop of Burnley's passionate call for the church not to neglect the poorest people in our country living on the outer estates and our own Diocese's Captain Nick Lebey CA speaking about his amazing work as an evangelist among young people in Thamesmead.

Lunchtime for me was a fringe meeting about resourcing ministerial education (ie training new vicars) and the Church's ambitious plan for a 50% increase of people training for the ordained ministry by 2020.

Back in the chamber there was a debate about the Church of England's relationship with the Church of Scotland, and then a motion about wedding and funeral fees (which failed) and another motion that in time might make it easier to modify church legislation (which passed).

This left a bit of spare time so we went straight on to a notion from the Diocese of Leeds about blood and organ donation. This was unexpectedly moving and powerful as a number of synod members, including a consultant surgeon, shared their stories.

The press had got wind of this story and one paper said: the CofE doesn't just want your money, it wants your blood, too.

The reality was that members were encouraged to view blood and organ donation as an act of Christian generosity and a contribution to the common good, the ultimate Good Samaritan act.

By now it was 7pm and the end of a long Synod day, but there was just time for Evening Worship, led by a lively contemporary worship band.

It was wonderful to end the day on a high note of praise.