Synod Observer (2)

The Church of England's General Synod has just completed its four day meeting in Westminster (left).

This group of sessions has included debates on the Church Representation Rules, Parochial Fees (eg weddings, funerals etc - almost abolished in a daring synodical rebellion), homelessness, climate change, evangelism and discipleship, growing faith among children and young people, estates evangelism, the Gypsy, Roma and traveller communities, youth evangelism, advertising and gambling, and the State of the Nation.

A particular highlight was the debate on Estates Evangelism, which began with a passionate address by Bishop Philip North (right) in which (in a synodical first) he began by calling on us NOT to vote for the motion in his name - unless that is, we really believed it and meant to do something about it.

Estates - social housing estates or council estates - were the focus of this debate with a motion that set the goal of having a 'serving, loving and worshipping Christian community on every significant social housing estate in the country.'

Key issues were giving a voice to estates people, funding (a big one), and creating pathways into ordained ministry and forms of training that were customised for estates people (another big challenge).

It was great stuff (though, frustratingly, I wasn't called to speak). Now we just need to pray for action.

Synod members holding the 'Family Prayer Adventure Maps' to be distributed to school children as part of this year's Thy Kingdom Come

This was a very outward-looking synod with its great focus on evangelism. There were lots of moving stories of lives being changed by the Gospel and of all kinds of signs of new spiritual life springing up all over the country, so much to give thanks for.

The next meeting of the General Synod will be at the University of York in July.