The Church of England’s General Synod will meet in London from 10-14 February 2025. An Outline of Business has been published, and is available for download.
It is Bishop Tricia’s first as a Diocesan Bishop.
GENERAL SYNOD: FEBRUARY 2025
OUTLINE OF BUSINESS
Full details and motion of each item will be on the agenda
Monday 10 February
2.30 pm to 7.00 pm
Opening worship
Introductions
Presidential Address
The Archbishop of York will give a Presidential Address
Business Committee Report
A take note debate on the content and shape of the Agenda
Questions
*5.20pm Makin Review
This will start not later than 5.20 pm
A debate in response to the Makin Review
Tuesday 11 February
9.00 am – 12.45 pm
Opening worship
Affirming the Racial Justice Agenda: an update and next steps on ‘From Lament to Action’.
A presentation and debate on the implementation of From Lament To Action (FLTA) in terms of the successes, challenges, and opportunities, and also affirm the future strategic direction of racial justice.
*10.45am Structures of Church Safeguarding Independence
This will start not later than 10.45 am
A presentation and debate on the next steps following the Jay and Wilkinson Reports
2.00 pm – 7.00 pm
Structures of Church Safeguarding Independence cont.
If required
Report of the Crown Nominations Commission
A take note debate on a report from the Crown Nominations Commission.
Diocesan Finances Review Update
A presentation with questions on the work relating to diocesan finances.
Sports and Wellbeing Ministry
This updates Synod on the National Sports and Well Being Project which has been running for the last 4 years with seven dioceses to see how sports and wellbeing can be integrated into diocesan mission strategies.
Special Agenda I: Legislative Business
Clergy Risk Assessment Regulations – For Approval
These regulations relate to safeguarding risk assessments of clergy under Canon C 30. They had been circulated at the July 2024 group of sessions, and are presented for debate at this group of sessions.
Wednesday 12 February
10.30 am – 12.45 pm
Eucharist will be celebrated from 9am
Address by Archbishop of Estonia
PMM: Working Class Ministry
A debate on the Private Members’ Motion from the Revd Alex Frost (Blackburn) calling for a national strategy supporting people from a working class background into ministry.
Appointment of one member of the Archbishops’ Council
A formal debate to appoint two new members of the Archbishops’ Council.
2.00 pm – 7.00 pm
Special Agenda I: Legislative Business
Clergy Conduct Measure – Final Drafting and Final Approval
The final stages of the Clergy Conduct Measure which will set out a new statutory framework and establish the jurisdiction for dealing with cases relating to clergy conduct.
Special Agenda I: Legislative Business
Legal Officers Fees – For Approval
Next business was moved when the previous version of this Order was debated at the July 2024 group of sessions so a new Order will be brought to this group of sessions.
If required, the Safeguarding Code of Practice (Managing Allegations) and Safeguarding Code of Practice (Religious Communities) will be taken at this point.
Thursday 13 February
9.00 am – 12.30 pm
Opening worship
‘Growing Younger and More Diverse’ – Hearing and Responding to the Voices of Young Adults (18-25)
A debate on the continuing work taking place to enable the voice of young adults to feed into the work of the national Church.
Living in Love and Faith
A presentation with questions on the current work and progress relating to Living in Love and Faith.
*11.15 am Amendments to the Standing Orders relating to the Crown Nominations Commission
This will start not later than 11.15 am
A report proposing amendments to the Standing Orders relating to the Crown Nominations Commission.
2.00 pm – 7.00 pm
Special Agenda I: Legislative Business
National Church Governance Measure – Revision Stage
The Revision Stage for the National Church Governance Measure which will introduce new governance structures for the national Church.
Special Agenda I: Legislative Business
Church Representation Rules – For Approval
The proposed Resolution is part of a package of election rules which need to be in place before the Synod is dissolved in July 2026.
Special Agenda I: Legislative Business
Election Rules – For Approval
These are the Election Rules for the Houses of Synod which will need to be in place for the elections to General Synod summer 2026.
Thy Kingdom Come – Renewing the call to prayer and evangelism
A presentation and debate relating to the 10th Anniversary of Thy Kingdom Come.
Friday 14 February
9.00 am – 12.30 pm
Opening Worship
Special Agenda I: Legislative Business
Mission and Pastoral Measure – First Consideration
The initial legislative stage for the revised Mission and Pastoral Measure.
DSM: Redistribution of Funds
A debate on the Diocesan Synod Motion from Hereford relating to redistribution of financial resources . The same motion has also been passed by Gloucester, Coventry, Bath & Wells, Blackburn, Chichester and Lincoln.
2.00 pm – 4.00 pm
Special Agenda I: Legislative Business
Vacancy in See Committees Regulation – For Approval
A number of amendments to update the Vacancy in See Committees Regulation.
Pattern of future dates
This sets the envelope for Synod meetings in 2027, 2028 and 2029.
*3.40 pm Farewells
This will start not later than 3.40 pm.
*4.00 pm Prorogation
This will take place not later than 4.00 pm.
Deemed business
Special Agenda I: Legislative Business
Safeguarding Code of Practice (Managing Allegations) – For Approval (Deemed)
The Code of Practice is circulated under section 5A of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016. This means it is deemed to be approved unless 25 members give notice in writing to the Clerk by the date given with the paper that they wish the
Code to be debated.
Special Agenda I: Legislative Business
Safeguarding Code of Practice (Religious Communities) – For Approval (Deemed)
The Code of Practice is circulated under section 5A of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016. This means it is deemed to be approved unless 25 members give notice in writing to the Clerk by the date given with the paper that they wish the
Code to be debated.
Contingency Business
Canterbury DSM: Add Confirmation Numbers to Stats for Mission
This DSM seeks to ensure that confirmation numbers are included in the annual statistics for mission request.
Questions
If time becomes available, any remaining questions will be taken.
* not later than
All sessions are streamed live on YouTube and remain available to view afterwards. Links have been provided in advance.
- Monday afternoon – scheduled for 2.30 pm
- Tuesday morning – scheduled for 9.00 am
- Tuesday afternoon – scheduled for 2.00 pm
- Wednesday morning – scheduled for 10.30 am
- Wednesday afternoon – scheduled for 2.00 pm
- Thursday morning – scheduled for 9.00 am
- Thursday afternoon – scheduled for 2.00 pm
- Friday morning – scheduled for 9.00 am
- Friday afternoon – scheduled for 2.00 pm
There is an official X/Twitter account.
Official list of General Synod members (updated February 2025)
Order papers
Notice papers
