Sydneyanglicans.net brings you a summary on the key debates to watch out for at Synod 2008:

Monday, October 13

4pm: Presidential Address

In his presidential address this afternoon, Archbishop Peter Jensen will challenge Sydney Anglicans to develop an ‘expert’ understanding of and engagement with their communities. This challenge will add to the Archbishop’s continued emphasis on making the most of the opportunity that Connect09 presents to build relationships with neighbours in a way that will enhance the impact of next year's Bible distribution, and lead people to connect with Jesus.

The Archbishop is expected to devote much of his attention to Connect09, setting out his vision for 2009, the year in which Sydney Anglicans are aiming to make meaningful connections with every Sydneysider, as many knock on doors with free gifts of Luke's gospel.

As he explores how Sydney Anglicans can become experts at understanding what is important to their neighbours, Archbishop Jensen will also comment on the global financial crisis, explaining the role that Christians can play in an uncertain economic climate.

The Archbishop will also reflect on GAFCON in his address, explaining particularly why he maintains that not going to Lambeth was the right decision.

Read more here.

7pm: Mission Presentation

A video presentation will be shown illustrating how Pray Connect Expect is being lived out in Sydney.

Those on the Connect09 team join clergy and laypeople to explain how prayer has opened doors, how connections are already being made, and what people are expecting will come out of Connect09.

The video also shows how the different Connect09 initatives " such as PJs at PJ’s, Ambassadors, Street Champions, and Big Day In " are being used in different contexts.

All present will receive a free copy of the DVD with more Connect09 information available.

As well as the presentation, regional bishops will also lead Synod in prayer for each of their regions.

Tuesday, October 14

4.30pm: Ordination of women as presbyters

Debate will recommence on the motion moved at Synod 2007 on the ordination of women as presbyters. The motion notes that Synod has consistently said Scripture encourages the ministry of women, but denies the eldership of women in the congregation.

The Rev Chris Albany will support the view of a minority that Scripture endorses women being involved in all aspects of church life including eldership.

7pm: Parish cost recoveries

A new Cost Recoveries Ordinance will be introduced to Synod to replace the previous Assessment and Charges Ordinance 1975, which allows for the recovery from parishes of ministry costs which are "centrally incurred' on behalf of parishes.

The new ordinance promises to reduce the administrative workload for parishes by simplifying the calculation of a parish's "net operating receipts' used to calculate cost recoveries charges. It also removes obsolete terms and provisions.

8pm: Progress report on Mission

There has been a marked increase in commitment to ministry during the first five years of the [Diocesan] Mission," states a progress report prepared for Synod.

Gains so far include the launch of new congregations, a significant increase in the numbers training for ministry, a rise in offerings and a growth in willingness to invite people to church.

The report also clarifies some of the roadblocks to the Mission and considers what the next phase of the Mission should therefore look like.

Having reached the midpoint of the Mission "with undiminished commitment", the report acknowledges there is still "much work to be done to motivate and equip ordinary church members for the missional mind-change that is needed".

This could include forming new "missional' congregations, training entrepreneurial leaders, and making partnerships between diocesan organisations and parishes more fruitful.

Debate on the strategic plan for the Mission will continue on Wednesday night from 8pm.

Wednesday, October 15

4:30pm Overhaul for parish admin

The Parish Administration Ordinance aims to set out rules for parish and church administration in "as clear, useful and accessible [a way] as possible".

While a draft was presented to Synod last year, it comes this year incorporating feedback from Synod members.

The Ordinance Reform Group originally recommended in 2005 that the existing rules be redrafted to consolidate a number of reforms that had been made in recent years and to better match what happens in practice.

The Ordinance continues to give parishes flexibility by allowing them to choose to be administered as a whole rather than on the basis of their churches. The Ordinance brings together at least four ordinances which previously had to be accessed individually and incorporates changes designed to reflect best administrative practice.

On September 25, Synod members were given the opportunity to offer feedback at a pre-Synod briefing in St Andrew’s Cathedral’s Chapter House.

7pm: Confronting changes to our Christian Assemblies

A recognition that what happens in Christian assemblies has changed in the last generation prompted Synod 2007 to ask the Diocesan Doctrine Commission to report on the Theology of Christian Assembly, to "help shape authentic, biblical and Anglican orders of service suitable for the contemporary church".

The report examines the character, purpose and responsibilities of Christian fellowships, and suggests the decrease in Anglican Prayer Book services has led to a "loss of gospel coherence" in some assemblies. It says new assembly templates are an urgent need.

Monday, October 20

4:30pm Lay and diaconal administration

Synod members have received a report on legal impediments to lay and diaconal administration. Bishop Glenn Davies will move a motion to allow the matters raised in the report to be debated.

Bishop Davies, along with Archdeacon Narelle Jarrett, will ask Synod to “affirm that lay and diaconal administration of the Lord’s Supper is consistent with the teaching of Scripture”, and that it may be administered in the Syney Diocese “by persons other than presbyters”.

Affiliated churches

Synod is expected to welcome the affiliation between the Diocese and six independent evangelical churches, mostly in NSW, "as an expression of our partnership in the gospel". Synod is also likely to ask Standing Committee to explore ways of strengthening these partnerships in the coming year.

8pm: Synod set to endorse Jerusalem Declaration

Synod will be asked to "endorse the Jerusalem Declaration as exemplifying the tenets of orthodoxy which underpin our Anglican identity and to invite all Anglicans in Australia to endorse the Declaration".

Through the Declaration " overwhelmingly endorsed by GAFCON and the Standing Committee " GAFCON leaders said they were not withdrawing from the Anglican Communion, but needed to launch the GAFCON movement, and its Primates Council and the Declaration in response to the "different gospel" being accepted and promoted within the Anglican Communion.

Tuesday, October 21

4:30pm: Human rights framework

The Synod will be asked to welcome a proposed Federal Government consultation process on the protection of human rights in Australia.

The issues surrounding human rights are complex, but must not be avoided by Christians, says a working group appointed by Standing Committee. The working group has also recommended that the Doctrine Commission be requested as a matter of priority to prepare a paper clarifying our theological understanding of human rights.