Report from Diocesan Synod 2017
Change was the theme of Bishop Harold Miller’s Presidential Address to the Down and Dromore Diocesan Synod in Moira Parish Centre on 19th October.
The bishop suggested that in this 500th anniversary year of the Protestant Reformation, the church may be in the midst of another tectonic shift and went on to offer some thoughts about how we might live faithfully as Christians.
Bishop Harold’s suggestion centred round a theory where the history of the church is described as a 500–yearly pattern of massive change or, in a phrase popularised by American lay theologian, Phyllis Tickle, ‘rummage sales’.
The bishop described these as times when “things which have gathered around the church but have become tired, no longer meaningful or useful; things which have lost their focus, as we would beautifully say in Ulster, are ‘rid out’.
“Do we dare recognise that we might be in the middle of one of these ‘rummage sales’, or tectonic times of change at this period of history?”he asked.
As evidence of huge change in the Church, Bishop Harold highlighted the decline of the Reformed Tradition in the Western World; the irrelevance of denominations among the young; the rise of Pentcostal/Charismatic church networks; the recentering of worldwide Christianity in the South and a new cynicism about the church, its institutions, structures and authority figures.
He said firstly that we should not be surprised if we feel disorientated, and that: “Disorientation can throw us in dependence on the Lord as our compass, in the way that nothing else can”. Nor should we think that change is necessarily a bad thing, indeed it often reenergizes the Church.
Bishop Harold urged synod members to “Know what the unchangeable things are – where your authority lies,” and to “hold on to what is good.” He continued: “The Church of Ireland confesses the truth of the Scriptures, in liturgy, creeds and articles. These really matter. If we have no ‘red lines’ we should be very concerned indeed!”
He encouraged Christian engagement in the public square and a willingness to understand the culture of the day and challenge it. The bishop concluded with a reminder to trust in the sovereignty of God. He said: “Things may never be quite the same again, but God is gathering all who bow the knee to Christ, and, even in their brokenness and frailty, his eternal purposes are being fulfilled“.
Bishop Harold noted that 2016 had been a year of major change as the diocese moved from a shared administrative structure to one where both Down and Dromore and Connor each have a dedicated floor in Church House and a separate staff team.
He introduced two new faces at the top table – Diocesan Secretary, Roy Lawther (right) and Finance Officer, Brian Lavery. Later in the morning, Roy Lawther reported on his work to update and digitise parish boundary maps. New maps will eventually be available to all parishes as well as a free online facility that will allow them to view census information for their area.
As well as welcoming new faces in this triennial year, the synod said farewell and thank you to Sir Anthony Campbell PC, who is stepping down as Chancellor to the Diocese after 20 years of service. Following a presentation to Sir Anthony, the bishop announced that former High Court Judge, Sir Anthony Hart, had accepted the invitation to become Chancellor. Like his predecessor, Sir Anthony is a parishioner of St Mark’s Dundela and has had a distinguished law career.
As the Council Report and diocesan accounts were presented, synod heard of many encouragements and some of the challenges facing the diocese.
Among those who spoke were Mr Edward Woolley from Clonallon, Kilbroney and Warrenpoint. He said how encouraged he was by the flourishing ministry of the Kilbroney Centre and thanked the Priorities Fund, the Orphans and Children’s Fund and the parishes and individuals whose support had made this possible.
Mr Rory Blake–Knox,(above) leader–charge of Moneyreagh Community Church, one of the diocese’s first church plants, gave a snapshot of a group of believers sharing the gospel at the heart of the local community.
Dean Henry Hull took to the podium to report on the transformation of ministry in the Lecale district following its reorganisation as LAMP – Lecale Area Mission Partnership.
Standing orders were also suspended to allow the Finance Officer to summarise the diocesan accounts.
After the report was seconded, Mr Jeffrey Smith from Ballyhalbert and Ardkeen proposed from the floor that the council report and the accounts be received separately. Following discussion, it was voted to accept the proposal and after two votes, both documents were accepted by synod.
A single notice of motion was brought to synod and passed – to keep the level of Diocesan General Fund Assessment for 2018 the same as for 2017.
Guests at synod included the preacher at Holy Communion, the Rt Revd Justin Badi, Bishop of Maridi Diocese, and his wife Joyce. Down and Dromore has been linked with Maridi Diocese since 1999 and Bishop Harold assured his fellow bishop of synod’s continued prayers and support at this difficult time in South Sudan.
In his address, Bishop Justin echoed some of Bishop Harold’s words as called on Christians to ‘break the cycle of sin’ in our society. Addressing the priests of the diocese in particular, Bishop Justin said: “Stand with the Gospel of truth and break the cycle of sin in your time and in your generation. Don’t be like the Pharisees and whitewash the tombs. Stand and shine. Let your light shine and be that example in your generation.”
Presentations
Mr Robin Fairburn, Mission Development Officer for the Good Book Company, spoke about their desire to resource local churches and Christian believers with Bible Centred tools. Robin highlighted an evangelistic resource called ‘Life Explored’, explaining some of the features that distinguish it from the well–known ‘Christianity Explored’.
Finally, Chief Officer of the Representative Church Body, Mr David Ritchie, gave a presentation on the structure, work and strategy of the RCB. He also directed members towards the new Parish Resources page on the Church of Ireland website.
Synod heard reports on mission, education and the work of the Youth, Children’s and Families Department, which was praised at several points during the day. Time was also allowed for the upbuilding of the church through the ‘Conversation on the Work of God’ when a wide range of clergy and lay persons spoke encouragingly of all that God is doing throughout the diocese.