Last updated 16th May 2024

Could it be YOU? Stand for election for Diocesan Synod

Could YOU be a member of Diocesan Synod, the main decision-making body for The Church of England in Blackburn Diocese?

If so, you have until May 23 to put your name forward for election and we have launched a three-week campaign to encourage people top step forward. More about the launch in this story. 

Our Synod considers major strategic decisions; agrees major policy and governance changes and the budget for the Diocese.

It is where debate occurs to set an agreed direction of travel for the work of the Diocese. The officers of the Diocesan Board of Finance; Archdeacons; Bishops; clergy and parishes are all accountable to Synod.

Elections are held every three years and are guided by the Church Representation Rules for Diocesan Synods. They are taking place this year for members of the House of Clergy and House of Laity.

A layperson can be elected from as young as 16 based on several criteria (all in the Rules – see link above – and summarised below) including being a communicant member of the Church of England and having their name on the parish electoral roll. We want as many as possible – especially younger people – to stand for election in 2024.

For clergy elections, the Rules state a ‘Clerk in Holy Orders’ who is a member of a Deanery Synod is qualified for election by the House of Clergy of that Deanery Synod to be a member of the Diocesan Synod.

Anyone prayerfully interested in standing for the House of Laity in our Diocesan Synod should speak to their parish priest in the first instance.

Then there is a process for nomination they will be pointed towards overseen by local presiding officers in each of our  14 Deanery areas across Lancashire.  

People in parishes are also asked to actively encourage others to stand they feel would make a good member of Synod.

The diocese is particularly keen to build diversity in its synod and would welcome nominations from a range of ages (especially young people); those from different cultures and backgrounds; those from minority groups and those from the full spectrum of church tradition.

The presiding officers for each Deanery are the Lay Secretary and the Deanery Chapter Clerk.

Eligibility criteria 

• A Clerk in Holy Orders who is a member of a Deanery Synod is qualified for election by the House of Clergy of that Deanery Synod as a member of the Diocesan Synod.
• A Clerk in Holy Orders may not stand for election by more than one Deanery Synod.
• A lay person is qualified for election by the House of Laity of a Deanery Synod as a member of the Diocesan Synod if the person is an actual communicant aged 16 or over …
  • whose name is on the roll of a parish* in the Deanery
  • whose name is on the community roll of a cathedral church in the Deanery which is not a parish church,
  • who is declared by the leader of a mission initiative in the Deanery to be part of the worshipping community involved in the initiative.

Full timetable for Diocesan Synod election

Promoting the Synod elections

A three-week campaign has been launched, calling on people of all ages from parishes across the County to become members of one of our key decision-making bodies, writes Ronnie Semley, Diocesan Communications Manager.

The Bishops of Blackburn and Lancaster, Rt Rev. Philip North and Rt Rev. Dr Jill Duff, are fronting the multi-channel push; including videos featuring the Bishops and 12 current members of Synod; all encouraging as many as possible of all ages to consider standing.

As well as appearing on social media, all the videos in the campaign will also be added to this page on the Diocesan website. (Link to come shortly)

Please share the content with anyone you think will be up for standing for election and would make a good candidate. We want as many as possible to stand. 

This new campaign - one of our largest ever - includes external promotion via local and regional media; information here on the Diocesan website; regular content on the Diocesan social media channels every day until the closing date for nominations (Thursday, May 23) and regular articles in the ‘Parish Update’ ebulletin.

Materials for download, sharing and using on social media

• Poster for church noteboards or using on social media ... download here as ..
  • a PDF
  •  a JPG
• Selection of social media banners - use on your local channels
  • Version 1
  • Version 2
  • Version 3
  • Version 4
  • Version 5
  • Version 6

Our Bishops' videos encouraging you to stand

Watch Bishop Philip’s video; share it on social media and encourage as many as possible to stand.

Bishop Philip says: “We are committed through our parishes, our schools and our chaplains to making a real difference as we proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ across this diverse and beautiful county. That vision requires good leadership at every level … in our parishes, but also across our Diocese.

“That's why I’m calling for people across the Diocese to think and pray about standing for Diocesan Synod which has a key leadership role across the whole of our common life.

“It meets two or three times a year, with rich and varied agendas and we need a wide range of people to serve: young adults as well as older people; people from estates parishes and rural parishes, along with other demographics.

“We need all sorts of backgrounds for a Synod that represents the diversity of Lancashire so I really hope you consider putting your name forward.”

Watch Bishop Jill’s video; share this one too on social media and keep encouraging as many as possible to stand.

Bishop Jill adds: “We'd love you to consider if God is calling you to stand for Diocesan Synod which is a key leadership body in our Diocese. We want our Synod to represent all the different communities in Lancashire; all ages and stages.

“If you think your face might not fit, that might be exactly why God is calling you! Diocesan Synod is open to everybody, subject to the criteria that you'll find on the Diocesan website, and we’d love you to step out and join in.”

Members of the Diocesan Youth Forum say #standforsynod!

Useful background information about Diocesan Synod

To help you make a decision whether to stand for our Diocesan Synod, here are some useful links to explore …

• Overview of Diocesan Synod.
• Wider context for work of Diocesan Synod
• Role and purpose of Diocesan Synod
• Forthcoming meeting dates
• Minutes of previous meetings

Ronnie Semley, May 2024