Last updated 14th January 2021

Diocesan Synod

The Diocesan Synod (pictured in session in 2019 at St Cuthbert's in Preston) is composed of three 'Houses': Bishops, Clergy and Laity. It has a number of functions ...

• To consider matters concerning the Church of England to make provision for these matters in relation to the Diocese of Blackburn
• To consider and express an opinion on other matters of religious or public interest
• To advise the Bishop on any matters on which he may consult the Synod
• To consider and express an opinion on any matters referred to it by the General Synod
• To consider the proposals for the annual budget for the diocese and to approve or dissapprove them
• To consider the annual accounts of the diocesan board of finance

The Diocesan Bishop, Rt Rev. Julian Henderson, pictured below giving a Presidential Address at a past Synod meeting, has a duty to consult the Diocesan Synod on matters of general concern and importance to the Diocese.

The Diocesan Synod informs the Deanery Synods of the policies and problems of the Diocese and of the business to be dealt with by Diocesan Synod. Through Deanery Synods, Diocesan Synod should keep itself informed of events and opinions in the parishes and to give opportunities at its meetings for the discussion of matters raised by Deanery Synods and PCCs.

Blackburn Diocesan Synod meets two or three times per year usually at a venue in Preston or Blackburn. Note that while we are in the midst of the pandemic meetings will take place but online via Zoom. Upcoming meetings are listed below. 

Members of Diocesan Synod can be nominated for election to Bishop's Council and Board of Finance Directors and nominate people for sub-committees such as Finance, Budget, Property, Mission and Pastoral.

Elections to Diocesan Boards and Committees last took place in the autumn of 2018. The 'rules' for Diocesan Synod are documented in the Diocesan Synod Standing Orders

Elections to Diocesan Synod are held every three years and Diocesan Synod members took up office on 1 August 2018. 

Each deanery has a fixed number of spaces for clergy, as a proportion of each deanery's clergy membership and spaces for lay members based on the total electoral roll for the deanery.

Lay members of Diocesan Synod become 'ex-officio' members of their local Parochial Church Council (PCC).

Synod Meeting Dates

Synod Minutes

2019

• July 2019

2018

• October 2018
• July 2018

2017

• October 2017
• July 2017
• March 2017