Having just completed my 40th synod with the Nelson Diocese, I have been asked to reminisce.
Firstly, I look forward to synod each year. We do have some strongly worded debates from time to time, but almost always it is done with a good Christian spirit. We generally get along well together. We are indeed a warm and loving family, strengthened by the diocesan training times each year which are often held nowadays at Lake Rotoiti.
My first synod was in 1985 while I was in my final year as a theological student at St John’s College in Auckland. I was flown down specially. I think they wanted to see me in person so that the Greymouth team could see who they were getting as their curate. It was easy just sitting and listening.
The second synod was different. Bishop Peter Sutton thought it would be good training for me to be his chaplain for synod, and to lead the worship on the second day. I thought the worship on the first day was rather dry and flat. However, I had no access to an overhead projector or duplicating facilities. I managed to find an unused roll of wallpaper, and laboriously, in large writing, wrote out the three verses of “What a Friend we Have in Jesus”. This was then displayed across the front of the Rutherford Hotel room. This was the first time they had sung, and it became a tradition thereafter.
In those early days it was very formal with almost entirely business and going through all the reports in detail. It was quite common for certain people to find a reason to call out “point of order Mr President”. The parliamentary rules of debate were vigorously enforced.
Some synods were called to discuss major matters such as the introduction of the new prayer book that was eventually published in 1989. Big issues were the use of inclusive language, and not wanting to cause offence to various parties. This came to a head when Rev Don Nicholas, a skilled user of short comments moved the following motion.
The laughter and applause stopped a lot of the rather protracted discussions up until that point.
Another delightful speaker at almost every synod until he retired as vicar of Blenheim South was Canon Gary Darlington. He had a delightfully loud voice, a great sense of humour, and was able to get away with some of the most politically incorrect statements I could imagine. I often wondered how he spoke when at home with his gentle wife, Florence. I gather he was quite meek at home.
When Bishop Derek and Bob Barrett began to look at possible changes to synod format, there came a considerable freeing up of protocol. The emphasis came on worship, prayer times, prayer walks and less time spent on reports. Synod began to be held in other deaneries.
Other memories are around some of the major debates and unexpected challenges we faced. The diocese used to have responsibility for the Whakarewa School Trust Board and associated Trust Farm. When there was a strong concern from Māori that it was not doing what they expected, a time came when a vigorous protest erupted. Leaders invaded the synod floor and spoke loudly and strongly about their concerns. It was my introduction to the powerful effect of personal protest.
Another issue that divided the diocese in a significant way was the proposed sale of Bishopdale Homestead, the home of the bishop. Cost of upkeep had grown far too large for us to cope with as a diocese, but the attachment many held for the historic building and associated chapel was emotional. Eventually it was sold and arrangements made for the chapel to be available for use on special occasions. The process with court action lasted a number of years.
Another occasion that was unusual was the visit of a charismatic pentecostal team to the synod. They were given a half hour to minister to us. They were strong in the gift of singing in the Spirit, and for 25 minutes sang over us and blessed us. Not everyone in synod found it helpful, but I was touched by it.
I chaired synod on a couple of occasions when major contentious issues were being discussed. This experience taught me some painful lessons. Be well prepared. Don’t split motions into parts unless I have thought through carefully possible traps and implications. Some decisions made in synod ended with some people leaving the diocese in protest. At least one was as a direct result of my poor decision making in the conduct of the debate. A painful lesson but important for all of us.
I look forward to it, especially for the fellowship and hearing what is going on around the diocese. Based in Greymouth, we are often unaware of significant events taking place in Nelson. It is not worth travelling four hours up and four hours back for a two hour seminar or meeting. Synod still is a wonderful way of getting to know those from the far-reaching corners of the diocese.
I do hope you enjoy synod as much as I do.
Check out other articles in the
series below.
More articles in the
series are to come.
We have invited these writers to share their experiences, ideas and opinions in the hope that these will provoke thought, challenge you to go deeper and inspire you to put your faith into action. These articles should not be taken as the official view of the Nelson Diocese on any particular matter.
Having just completed my 40th synod with the Nelson Diocese, I have been asked to reminisce.
Firstly, I look forward to synod each year. We do have some strongly worded debates from time to time, but almost always it is done with a good Christian spirit. We generally get along well together. We are indeed a warm and loving family, strengthened by the diocesan training times each year which are often held nowadays at Lake Rotoiti.
My first synod was in 1985 while I was in my final year as a theological student at St John’s College in Auckland. I was flown down specially. I think they wanted to see me in person so that the Greymouth team could see who they were getting as their curate. It was easy just sitting and listening.
The second synod was different. Bishop Peter Sutton thought it would be good training for me to be his chaplain for synod, and to lead the worship on the second day. I thought the worship on the first day was rather dry and flat. However, I had no access to an overhead projector or duplicating facilities. I managed to find an unused roll of wallpaper, and laboriously, in large writing, wrote out the three verses of “What a Friend we Have in Jesus”. This was then displayed across the front of the Rutherford Hotel room. This was the first time they had sung, and it became a tradition thereafter.
In those early days it was very formal with almost entirely business and going through all the reports in detail. It was quite common for certain people to find a reason to call out “point of order Mr President”. The parliamentary rules of debate were vigorously enforced.
Some synods were called to discuss major matters such as the introduction of the new prayer book that was eventually published in 1989. Big issues were the use of inclusive language, and not wanting to cause offence to various parties. This came to a head when Rev Don Nicholas, a skilled user of short comments moved the following motion.
The laughter and applause stopped a lot of the rather protracted discussions up until that point.
Another delightful speaker at almost every synod until he retired as vicar of Blenheim South was Canon Gary Darlington. He had a delightfully loud voice, a great sense of humour, and was able to get away with some of the most politically incorrect statements I could imagine. I often wondered how he spoke when at home with his gentle wife, Florence. I gather he was quite meek at home.
When Bishop Derek and Bob Barrett began to look at possible changes to synod format, there came a considerable freeing up of protocol. The emphasis came on worship, prayer times, prayer walks and less time spent on reports. Synod began to be held in other deaneries.
Other memories are around some of the major debates and unexpected challenges we faced. The diocese used to have responsibility for the Whakarewa School Trust Board and associated Trust Farm. When there was a strong concern from Māori that it was not doing what they expected, a time came when a vigorous protest erupted. Leaders invaded the synod floor and spoke loudly and strongly about their concerns. It was my introduction to the powerful effect of personal protest.
Another issue that divided the diocese in a significant way was the proposed sale of Bishopdale Homestead, the home of the bishop. Cost of upkeep had grown far too large for us to cope with as a diocese, but the attachment many held for the historic building and associated chapel was emotional. Eventually it was sold and arrangements made for the chapel to be available for use on special occasions. The process with court action lasted a number of years.
Another occasion that was unusual was the visit of a charismatic pentecostal team to the synod. They were given a half hour to minister to us. They were strong in the gift of singing in the Spirit, and for 25 minutes sang over us and blessed us. Not everyone in synod found it helpful, but I was touched by it.
I chaired synod on a couple of occasions when major contentious issues were being discussed. This experience taught me some painful lessons. Be well prepared. Don’t split motions into parts unless I have thought through carefully possible traps and implications. Some decisions made in synod ended with some people leaving the diocese in protest. At least one was as a direct result of my poor decision making in the conduct of the debate. A painful lesson but important for all of us.
I look forward to it, especially for the fellowship and hearing what is going on around the diocese. Based in Greymouth, we are often unaware of significant events taking place in Nelson. It is not worth travelling four hours up and four hours back for a two hour seminar or meeting. Synod still is a wonderful way of getting to know those from the far-reaching corners of the diocese.
I do hope you enjoy synod as much as I do.
Check out other articles in the
series below.
More articles in the
series are to come.
