Posted on | June 5, 2009
Report of LDEF meeting: Evangelicals and General Synod.
On Wednesday 13th May the LDEF hosted a meeting designed to help evangelicals think through the issues relating to standing for and being involved in General Synod.
Why stand for synod? It is important to have thought through clearly your reasons for standing for synod, and to keep refreshing your memory if you are elected. It is possible to “go native” and get so caught up in process and committees, and playing synodical games that you forget why it is you are there.
What can you expectations from GS: GS is ‘heavy machinery’, and makes it difficult for much to happen quickly. The best way of getting involved and making an impact is getting involved in a small group or engage in legislative process. You will need to prepare carefully in order to ensure you maximise your contributions to the life of GS. There are a number of groups (e.g. Evangelical Group ion General Synod – EGGS) which gather like-minded people; and which can provide a forum in which to draw on the experience and insights of others, and to garner support. Don’t go it alone. GS is a ‘battleground for truth, honesty, and the supremacy of the Word of God’.
In terms of getting elected:
(i) You need to be rooted in the life of the Church at large get involved in chapter, deanery and/or diocesan synod, and get known for making constructive contributions (especially important for laity).
(ii) Make use of networks, such as New Wine, Reform etc.
(iii) Compile an effective manifesto that clearly signals where you are coming from on the key issues facing the Church of England and the wider Anglican Communion. Get help with this from those who have been successful in the past. They will know how to say things in a way that has as wide an appeal as possible, and will appreciate that what you don’t say is sometimes as important as what you do say…
(iv) Make use of as many forms of communication as possible: contact the electorate directly by email, phone and post
(v) You will need to be able to draw votes from across the traditions of the Anglican Church. A wise choice of proposer and seconder can help with this. Voting is by Single Transferable Vote.
There is a problem that a lot evangelical votes go missing for laity, because evangelicals are not on deanery synod. Evangelical parishes should ensure that they have taken up their full quota of deanery synod places . For clergy, it can be easier as word of mouth along networks and a good manifesto can do the work.
Oh… and be prepared to face a ‘conspiracy of disinterest’ at Deanery level. You will have to work hard if you want a forum to feedback in.