SYNODS & COMMITTEES TABLE OF CONTENTS HOME ABOUT US SYNODS & COMMITTEES TWEET SHARE PRINT Synods & Committees Governance by ‘synod’ describes how in the Church of England bishops, clergy and laity are brought together to consider, discuss and make decisions on matters of common concern in the life of the church. Committees have powers delegate to them to carry out specific purposes. What does the word ‘synod’ actually mean? The term is derived from the Greek word ‘synodia’, which is made up of two basic elements: ‘together’ and ‘way’; ‘syn’ meaning ‘together’ and ‘hodos’ meaning ‘way’. According to the Greek Lexicon, ‘synodia’ means ‘a journey in company’ or ‘a company of travellers’. We therefore have the concept of groups of people coming together; journeying together. The Lexicon also gives a biblical reference for the term ‘synodia’ (Luke 2.44). The context is the story of the family of the 12 year old Jesus, which had come together to journey from the Passover celebration. As the family journeyed together, one can imagine that there would be a good deal of lively discussion, perhaps about the route to take; about the sights, sounds and people they encounter along the way. This is the sort of interaction and exchange which prayerfully, under the leadership of the Bishop, takes place at meetings of the Diocesan Synod and other bodies in the Diocese. The synodical system penetrates the church, both vertically and horizontally, and thereby connects together all those involved in the life of the church: Vertically, it operates at the levels of the parish, deanery, Episcopal Area, and Diocese through to the General Synod at national level. Horizontally, it draws together representatives from across the parish to serve on the Parochial Church Council; the deanery to serve on the deanery synod; the Episcopal Areas to serve on Area Councils, and from across the Diocese to serve on the Diocesan Synod. At all levels, synods, councils and committees prayerfully consider, discuss and make decisions on matters of common concern affecting the life, and forwarding the mission and ministry of the church in London. Details on the purposes and make-up of the synods, councils and committees can be found within this section. WHO'S WHO EXPLORE THE DIOCESE SYNODS & COMMITTEES DIOCESAN SYNOD VACANCY IN SEE COMMITTEE DIOCESAN BOARD OF PATRONAGE THE DAC DIOCESAN BISHOP'S COUNCIL AREA COUNCILS DIOCESAN FINANCE COMMITTEE AREA FINANCE COMMITTEE THE LONDON PLAN ANOTHER CAPITAL IDEA MAGAZINE RACK FAQS ABOUT THE DIOCESE SITE MAP PRIVACY & COOKIES FIND A CHURCH SAFEGUARDING CONTACT US PARTNER SITES ST PAUL'S CATHEDRAL ALMA BOARD FOR SCHOOLS ST PAUL'S INSTITUTE CHURCH OF ENGLAND Follow us on Twitter Find us on Facebook Copyright ©2014 London Diocesan Fund Design by Paperjam Site by Chapel Studios / myDiocese