If you have any questions or feedback, please speak to a parish councillor or email wardens@cabra.church! In the interests of time, because we have a trilingual AGM, we will try to minimise questions during the meeting.
From 10-20 September, I had the privilege of attending the Third Session of the 52nd Synod on behalf of our church. Over six days, I saw several church issues presented and debated between Sydney Anglicans from all over the Diocese of Sydney, and cast my vote on them as a representative of Cabramatta Anglican Church.
The following report details the key issues that were discussed and my voting position on them. The purpose of this report is to make you aware of the political and governance issues that the Sydney Anglican Church currently faces, and to be transparent on how and why I voted on them.
I haven’t listed all the motions moved in Synod, just the ones that I think are relevant for our church and some issues that may be good to be aware of. I also won’t explain my vote if the motion was not contentious (such as motions regarding previously commissioned reports).
Reflecting back on Synod, I’m thankful for those who reached out to me and said they were praying about it (and for me). I didn’t secure annual leave for it so it was an extremely taxing six days, and I’m grateful for how God sustained me through a very busy period at work on top of attending Synod.
I appreciated being exposed to the breadth of Anglican ministry that happens in our Diocese. Synod doesn’t just recognise and celebrate the achievements of parishes like Jamberoo who were able to revive their ministry and become recognised as full parishes – it also recognises the ministry done in schools, aged care, and overseas mission. God has a wide canvas in Sydney and he is working in so many different ways.
I’m also humbled by the capacity and capability of those that God has put in charge of our Diocese. You basically need to be a lawyer to run Synod, and the amount of secretarial work that goes into preparing for it is staggering. What looks like a simple list of resolutions is only possible due to the strict structures and procedures underpinning Sydney.
Finally, I’m encouraged by the leadership of our Archbishop, Kanishka Raffel. He conducts himself with a lot of poise, especially towards members of Synod who can be a bit disruptive or combative. I have a lot of faith that God will use him well in his tenure as Archbishop as he leads our Diocese.
For the full list of Synod documents, please visit this page on the Sydney Diocesan Services (SDS) website. The SDS website also contains more information on Synod more generally, including procedures and reports.
This motion reaffirms the opposition of the Sydney Diocese to euthanasia and physician assisted suicide, on the basis that it violates the sanctity of life that Christians believe in. It calls on the government to administer the act in a way that allows faith-based organisations to refuse to participate in euthanasia.
Vote: Yes, as I believe euthanasia (and its displacement of palliative care and other end-of-life medical measures under a cost-benefit analysis framework) is opposed to Christian values.
Result: Yes
National Anglican Family Violence Report
This motion asks Synod to note the results of the national family violence report commissioned by the national Anglican Church, which contains several sobering conclusions, such as:
Domestic violence existing in Anglican households at a similar rate to the general population;
Scripture being used as a basis to enable domestic violence;
Ministers and others in positions of authority feeling under-equipped to address these issues in their organisations.
There were some encouraging findings, however, including that most victims of domestic violence felt that they could trust their ministers to listen and provide counsel. Synod will respond to this report through the Domestic Violence Monitoring Committee at a later date.
Vote: Yes
Result: Yes
Church Land Acquisition Levy
This motion seeks Synod’s approval of a further ten years of the Church Land Acquisition Levy, which is a 2% tax on parish income to fund future property acquisition in current and future growth areas of the Diocese, particularly in the Western Sydney Aerotropolis and north west Sydney (around Penrith).
Synod debated amending the motion to increase the levy or allow for higher commitments by parishes, on the basis that this issue is key to the church’s future, and many current parishes (including Cabramatta) were generously funded by previous Synods who had proactive vision for Sydney’s future growth. I voted against this amendment, as it would not have helped the Diocese secure additional debt funding, and any additional generosity from parishes would be better directed towards construction funds like New Churches for New Communities.
(As an aside, issues like this made me realise that the Diocese is really blessed to have a diverse body with people in different occupations. Imagine if there were no financial experts in the room to explain why that wouldn’t be a good idea!)
Motion vote: Yes, especially as our parish is located in the same region as the Aerotropolis and is well positioned to benefit from the population growth in the area.
Motion result: Yes
Indigenous Ministry
This motion encourages parishes to seek reconciliation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples by developing an action plan informed by Diocese reports on reconciliation. These reports are available in Book 2.
There was a proposed amendment that sought support for the First Nations’ Voice being proposed in the upcoming referendum, but this was eventually moved as a separate motion.
Vote: Yes, as reconciliation is a central theme of the gospel (2 Cor 5:18-19) and the Anglican Diocese has a responsibility to make the gospel known to all nations, including Indigenous Australians – particularly considering the violent history between the Diocese and Indigenous groups.
Result: Yes
First Nations Voice
This motion encourages church members to engage in the national conversation regarding the establishment of a First Nations Voice in the Constitution, and to give generous consideration to the case to vote ‘Yes’. For now, you can read about it here, but I expect the church to publish more material on it prior to the vote next year.
Vote: Yes, as it is important for the church to think about social issues, particularly when they concern justice for the disadvantaged. This motion does not direct us to vote one way or another, but to educate ourselves so that we can make an informed decision.
Result: Yes
Accessibility Guidelines
This motion encourages parishes to consider accessibility guidelines in the day-to-day life of their church, not just limited to inclusive architecture but also language.
Vote: Yes
Result: Yes
Charity between Anglicans
This motion calls for Sydney Anglicans to strive to speak the truth in love in all contexts, especially in the present circumstances in the national Anglican Church, which continues to be divided on issues of marriage, sex and gender.
Vote: Yes, particularly as many members of our younger English congregation are more likely to interact with those who may hold views contrary to Biblical teaching. I believe it is important that the church seeks to be held in good regard in the wider community, and interact with grace and understanding to win more people to Christ.
Result: Yes
Withdrawal of fellowship in national or provincial contexts
This motion asks Synod to recommend that the Archbishop considers how to act in response to the broken fellowship in the national Anglican Church, particularly around issues of sexuality and marriage.
This was a contentious motion, as some in Synod hold the view that Sydney Anglicans are best positioned to speak truth in love on these issues if we remain in fellowship with other Anglicans. However, the Bible also commands in 2 Timothy 3 to “have nothing to do” with those who imitate godliness but denying its power. It is possible that the only biblical response to this issue is to withdraw from fellowship with the Anglican Church when the time is right.
Vote: Yes, as the motion does not direct the Archbishop to act one way or another, but only consider his response in partnership with the bishops. I think it’s wise to not draw a line in the sand at this point in time.
Result: Yes
Financial contributions to the General Synod
Related to the motion mentioned above, this motion calls for the Standing Committee to consider the future approach of the Diocese to meetings of, and financial contributions to the General Synod. This is notable as the Sydney Diocese contributes more funds to the national Anglican Church than any other Diocese.
There was an amendment to remove the financial contribution aspect of this motion, which I voted in favour of, as I believe that as long as Sydney is part of General Synod, it has opportunity to continue to push for a Biblical view on issues that other Anglicans differ on, and the financial contribution made to general matters is a strong way of showing that we are still in communion with them. This amendment was carried.
Vote: Yes
Result: Yes
Gaming machine reform for NSW Parliament
This motion seeks Synod’s approval of the Dean of Sydney, Sandy Grant, to write to the Premier and Opposition Leader of NSW to urge bipartisan reforms to minimise gaming machine (the pokies) related harm. The letter was co-signed by Wesley Mission CEO Stu Cameron.
Vote: Yes, especially as gambling addiction is something that heavily affects our community in Cabramatta.
