Dear Synod Supporters
Some of the key points to note and pray for the Synod (10th-13th July) please, are:

For the meetings of conservative evangelicals during the Synod, for prayer and
discussion at 8.15am on the Saturday and Monday, and for Sunday lunch

For the various fringe (and similar) meetings, including;
o House of Laity lunch tomorrow (Friday) which will include a farewell to Philip Giddings
(Chair of the House of Laity) who won’t be standing for re-election for the 2015 to
2020 period.
o The meeting of the Evangelical Group of General Synod (EGGS) tomorrow (Friday)
evening
o Anglican Mainstream lunch and talk on the radicalization of young people in our
schools on the Saturday lunchtime
o DOXA lunch (covering conservative evangelicals and catholics) on Monday lunchtime
o Mothers’ Union, also on the Monday lunchtime.

For the work of the Crown Nominations Commission (including Jane Patterson) as it seeks
to fill several diocesan bishop vacancies – also giving thanks for the appointment of Rod
Thomas as Bishop of Maidstone, and for his consecration at Canterbury on Wednesday 23rd
September.

That the Questions session tomorrow afternoon will be used effectively to highlight issues of
concern (or encouragement) – e.g. on the continuing role of residential theological training

For the large amount of legislative business that needs wrapping up as we reach the end of
the current 2010 to 2015 Synod – that we will be able to focus on issues of Gospel
importance without being distracted by other matters. Please pray particularly for the debate
to implement a motion from Southwell & Nottingham Diocesan Synod that has previously
been passed to enable a bishop to delegate to an incumbent the responsibility for
administering the sacraments. There is no single evangelical view on this within Synod,
with some being assured by it being only a permissive power, which some bishops would not
choose to use, but others concerned at the precedents that may be set if children or
unsuitable adults were put into positions of authority.

For the debate on the World Council of Churches report ‘The Church – towards a
common vision’. This is a follow-up to the 1998 Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry’ document,
which many conservative evangelicals criticized at the time, due to the compromises
made. Please pray that any shortcomings within the latest report will be able to be identified
and brought to the attention of Synod in a Christ-centred way

For the final approval debate on Additional texts for Holy Baptism, where, again, there is
no single evangelical view. It is variously regarded as the dumbing down of important
doctrine, or probably the best way accessible baptism service that the Synod was able to
come up with in practice.

For the three related environmental items on the agenda, which will between them take up
most of Sunday:
Group work and Bible study on the environment
A motion on the Paris Summit l
A Motion on Climate Change and Investment Policy from the National Investing Bodies
Please pray that a biblical focus on our God-given mandate to care for the environment will be
maintained, without ‘eco-theological’ thinking being allowed to distort the Gospel.
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General Synod elections
Looking ahead, please pray for the dozen or so conservative evangelicals around the country who are
known to be intending to stand for election to Synod for the first time later in the Summer – and that
others will be guided and encouraged to stand too, and will be supported in the practicalities as needed
(e.g. in preparing their written election address). Please pray particularly that people will come forward
in some of the dioceses that are currently without conservative evangelical representation, such as
Canterbury, where a likely diocesan evangelical fellowship has recently been formed.
Finally, you and others may wish to use the following prayer, which has been promoted by the Church
of England for use for General Synod:
Almighty Father,
Give us grace and strength this day
to build up your church
in love for the world,
in the making of disciples
and to equip the saints for the work of ministry.
Plant your hope deep within us.
Open our eyes to a fresh vision of your kingdom.
Give us wisdom for the common task.
Draw us and all your Church deeper into Christ,
our foundation and cornerstone,
that we may work together as one body,
in the power of the Spirit
and for the sake of your glory.
Amen.
With best wishes
Andrew
Andrew Presland
One of the House of Laity representatives, Peterborough Diocese