Lay Presidency, called Lay Administration in Sydney Diocese in recent years, has been a matter of debate in the diocese for some thirty years at least. The Synod seems to be moving towards some finality on whether or not – and no seems highly unlikely –  it will become legislated practice in the Diocese.
Archbishop Jensen has been discussing the issue of lay administration with bishop colleagues both here and overseas as the Synod asked him to do last year.
Plans are already under way for lay presidency to be a topic for discussion at the General Synod to be held in Fremantle in early October.
The Archbishop has also consulted with his fellow bishops of the Province of New South Wales as he promised them he would. As a result of the NSW bishops’ discussions in 2003 when Dr Jensen presented a paper, the Bishop of Newcastle, Bishop Roger Herft, invited him and a theologian from the Diocese of Melbourne to speak at a seminar convened early this year for the clergy of Newcastle Diocese.
The theologian who delivered from his point of view the argument against lay presidency was the Rev Dr Andrew McGowan, who went from the Diocese of Perth to lecture at the Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He returned to take up his present position at Trinity College, Melbourne.
Bishop Herft reported to his Newcastle Diocesan Council and Senior Staff that Archbishop Jensen had indicated he would respond positively to an invitation from NSW dioceses “to engage theologically in this matter and to discern the difficulties people have in respect of this proposed measure.”
When they agreed to respond positively to the Archbishop’s desire to engage in dialogue, the seminar was arranged and Drs Jensen and McGowan were issued an invitation to make presentations followed by open discussion.
Bishop Herft talked with me about the seminar at the last meeting of the General Synod Standing Committee. He made the following comments.
First he spoke of the Newcastle clergy response to the proposed seminar. “There was a very positive response to the conference with more than 90 per cent attendance,” Bishop Herft said. “There was a small group who protested at holding such a dialogue on the basis that there need not be any discussion on a matter that was fundamental to the faith and order of our church.”
He talked then about Archbishop Jensen’s presentation. “The Archbishop made his presentation on Lay Administration of the Lord’s Supper outlining the historical, theological, doctrinal, ecclesial, pastoral and mission priorities that are behind this move.
He noted that this measure had been carefully and prayerfully thought through,” Bishop Herft said.
He then talked of Dr Andrew McGowan’s presentation. “Dr Andrew McGowan presented a paper noting the Biblical ordinance, the ecclesial and theological motivations that are present in the ordination rites present within the Scriptures and in the 1662 Prayer Book, and the particular doctrinal fundamentals that underpin the sacrament in respect of Ordination and the Eucharist.
“He focused on the different polity that was present in the Reformation and outlined why the ‘collective’ eldership model resembled traditional Calvinist views on Church organisation. “He suggested that far from being an empowerment of the laity the proposal would create a local oligarchy that would consolidate its own power and that of the Rector!” the Bishop said, having apparently been impressed with that opinion.
The Bishop’s summation of the entire event was as follows. “The open forum created a lively debate and a direct exchange of views and concerns. The discussion was respectful, scholarly, intense, non-compromising, prayerful, and stimulating of the intellect and soul, inspiring clergy to reflect on the nature of their vocation, and the essence of ordination, the character and function of the Gospel and the Church.”
And Bishop Herft concluded, “Many clergy expressed their gratitude on hearing two significant scholars prepared to engage in such an open and respectful way on a matter that is central to our life and witness as Church.”
This kind of discussion and open dialogue can only benefit church members as they wrestle with what is a difficult and confronting issue for many Anglicans outside of Sydney, and even some within this Diocese.
Newcastle Diocese is to be applauded for the initiative. Doubtless few, if any, minds were changed, but at least some opportunity for understanding was made possible.

For anyone who is interested, two CDs of the presentations and discussion on the day were made. They can be obtained for a minimal cost from the Diocese of Newcastle, P.O. Box 817 Newcastle, 2300.