The outline of business for the July 2025 meeting of the Church of England’s General Synod was issued today. It is copied below the fold.
GENERAL SYNOD: JULY 2025
OUTLINE OF BUSINESS
Full details of each item will be on the Agenda which will be circulated 26 June.
* not later than
Friday 11 July
2.00 pm to 7.00 pm
Opening worship
Introductions
Presidential Address
The Archbishop of York will give a Presidential Address
Business Committee Report
A take note debate on the content and shape of the Agenda
*3.30pm Address by member of Armed Forces
An address by a senior member of the Armed Forces
*3.50pm Spending Plans: Presentation
A presentation with questions on the work of the Triennium Funding Working Group developing spending plans for 2026-28 from the Church’s endowment managed by the Church Commissioners. This incorporates the Diocesan Finance Review presented to the Synod in February 2025 and policy proposals for improving future clergy pension payments and future benefits.
*5.30pm Questions
Saturday 12 July
9.00 am – 12.45 pm
Opening worship
Special Agenda IV: Diocesan Synod Motion
Redistribution of funds DSM
This debate will bring back the Diocesan Synod Motion relating to redistribution of financial resources which was adjourned at the February 2025 group of sessions
*10.45am Special Agenda I: Legislative Business
National Church Governance Measure – Final Drafting/Final Approval
This is the final drafting and final approval Stage for the National Church Governance Measure which will introduce new governance structures for the national Church.
2.00 pm – 7.00 pm
Special Agenda I: Legislative Business
Armed Forces Chaplaincy (Licensing) Measure and Amending Canon No. 44 (licensing armed forces chaplaincy) – First Consideration
This Measure and Amending Canon are expected to go through all its Synodical stages at this group of sessions. It provides for the Archbishop of Canterbury to license all armed forces chaplains on a national basis.
Appointments to the Archbishops’ Council
This is a formal item to appoint two new members of the Archbishops’ Council.
*3.30pm Spending Plans: Debate
A debate on the spending plans for 2026-28 from the Church’s endowment managed by the Church Commissioners. This incorporates the Diocesan Finance Review presented to the Synod in February 2025 and policy proposals for improving future clergy pension payments and future benefits.
Special Agenda III: Private Members Motion
Clergy Pensions: The Revd James Blandford-Baker
This is a Private Members Motion from the Revd James Blandford-Baker which calls for legislation to be brought forward to restore the clergy pension benefit and recompense any clergy who have been disadvantaged by changes to clergy pensions.
Special Agenda III: Private Members Motion
Governance Review of the House of Bishops: Dr Ros Clarke
This is a Private Members Motion from Dr Ros Clarke (Lichfield) which seeks to set up an independent review of the governance and culture of the House of Bishops.
Sunday 13 July
2.15 pm – 7.00 pm
Address by Anglican Communion guests
*2.40pm Special Agenda II: Liturgical Business
Festival of God the Creator and Twenty-One Martyrs of Libya – First Consideration
This liturgical business will be considered for its First Consideration stage and expands the calendar to include festivals for God the Creator and the Twenty-One Martyrs of Libya
Address by Ecumenical guest
*4.20pm Special Agenda I: Legislative Business
Armed Forces Chaplaincy (Licensing) Measure and Amending Canon No. 44 (licensing armed forces chaplaincy) – Revision Stage
Church Growth and Revitalisation
This will be a presentation with questions relating to the summary report of research on church growth and vitality, including an assessment of the impact of national funding to dioceses in support of that growth and vitality
*6.00 pm Thy Kingdom Come
This item outlines the journey of ‘Thy Kingdom Come’ over the last decade, reflecting on its reach, impact and influence in both the UK and across the world and to renew the call for prayer in evangelism and mission within the Church of England and beyond. This was deferred from February 2025.
Monday 14 July
9.00 am – 12.45 pm
Opening worship
Pattern of Future Dates
This item will set the envelope for Synod meetings in 2027, 2028 and 2029.
*10.00am Special Agenda I: Legislative Business
Abuse (Redress) Measure – Final Drafting/Final Approval
This will be the final drafting and final approval stage of the Abuse (Redress) Measure which will enable there to be a consistent approach across the Church to redress following abuse
2.00 pm – 7.00 pm
Special Agenda I: Legislative Business
Abuse (Redress) Rules – For Approval
This will set out the procedure for making claims for redress and how financial redress is to be calculated
*4.00pm AC Budget 2026
This sets out the budget for the Archbishops’ Council for the next financial year.
* 5.15pm Special Agenda I: Legislative Business
Church Representation Rules – For Approval
Special Agenda I: Legislative Business
Election Rules
This legislation relates to the Election Rules for the Houses of Synod which will need to be in place for the elections to General Synod summer 2026.
Tuesday 14 July
9.00 am – 1.30 pm
Opening Worship
Special Agenda I: Legislative Business
2nd Church Representation Rules – For Approval
This is in addition to the election specific amendments to the CRRs and relates to the broader work of the Elections Review Group.
*10.45am Special Agenda I: Legislative Business
Armed Forces Chaplaincy (Licensing) Measure and Amending Canon No. 44 (licensing armed forces chaplaincy) – Final Drafting/ Final Approval
Special Agenda III: Private Members Motion
Vocations and Issues in Human Sexuality: The Revd Mae Christie
This is a PMM from the Revd Mae Christie (Southwark) which seeks to remove Issues in Human Sexuality from the vocations process.
*1.30pm Prorogation
Deemed business
Special Agenda I: Legislative Business: Legal Officers (Annual Fees) (No. 2) Order 2025 and Ecclesiastical Judges, Legal Officers and Others (Fees) Order 2025
Archbishops’ Council Annual Report
Archbishops’ Council’s Audit and Risk Committee Annual Report
Contingency Business
Mental health and the Church
This proposes steps to deepen the understanding of mental health within the church and to foster a culture of sensitive and effective adjustments to enhance access and inclusion
Routemap to Net Zero Progress Update
This item updates Synod on work undertaken on moving to Net Zero by 2030 since the debate in July 2022.
Reimagining care
This item invites Synod to engage with this important issue in light of the national conversations taking place on the future of social care.
Poverty and the Church: 40 Years after Faith in the City:
This item marks the 40th anniversary of the Faith in the City report and encourages continued action to seek to end poverty at a time of great need and political opportunity
Please note that all timings are indicative unless marked with an asterisk
Deadline for receipt of questions: 1200 hrs Tuesday 1 July 2025