Associate for Communications
Synodical, or pertaining to a synod. Synodical – the word itself – is an inside joke here.
These days, if you’re associated with a synod, or an associate or something for a synod, the ability to accept criticism is vital. Criticism of synods is that common.
You
see, we’re in postmodern and perhaps post-Christendom times. But we know it’s a
post-something time. We may have even reached a post-post time.
And
being post-anything – at least for the synod – means it’s probably time we look
at how we got here, what we’ve become and, at a minimum, where we are going and
if we even belong.
First,
we know how synods are perceived throughout the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
And it’s not good – if we accept without question the research results of the
first Mid-Council Commission that submitted its report to the General Assembly
last summer.
The
report, often lauded for the research, includes a statement in the research
addendum that says much about the findings. On page 112 there’s this line: “Because
respondents self-selected, results may not be representative of the larger
constituencies of which respondents are a part.”
Think
about that for a minute. It’s not in the numbers; it’s in the selection.
Yes,
the research was a monumental effort, but those who responded made the decision
to participate. They were not part of an appropriately selected sample. Respondents
self-selected.
Second,
it might not be that synods are superfluous – at least not all the time and in
all places. Of all the governing bodies – o.k., councils – presbyteries are necessary
to be Presbyterian. If I’m not mistaken, presbyteries at some point made the
decision to create synods.
So,
I’m thinking it’s probably a good idea for presbyteries to play a really
significant role in determining what synods should be doing and where synods end
up going.
I
don’t think it’s time for presbyteries to be heard; I think it’s time for
presbyteries to really be the drivers.
The
overture adopted earlier this month by the Presbytery of Prospect Hill is a
step in that direction. The overture calls on the General Assembly to “take no
action related to the functions of synods, the merger or redrawing of
boundaries of synods, or the elimination of synods … without the consent of any
synod and a majority of the presbyteries affected.”
The
overture goes on to encourage presbyteries “to consider consultation with their
synod and surrounding presbyteries … regarding what functions are appropriate
within their respective synod.”
I think that’s kind of Presbyterian and maybe even synodical in way.
