Diocesan Synod Digest (Sunday 21 June 2025)

29th June, 2025

Diocesan Synod met on Saturday 21 June 2025 at The YMCA Showroom, Tritton Road, Lincoln, with Revd Canon Martyn Taylor (Stamford; House of Clergy Chair) in the chair.

The Rt Revd David Court, Bishop of Grimsby, opened the meeting by leading Synod in a Dwelling in the Word reflection on Galatians 3:23-end, followed by prayer.

Bishop’s Address

In his address The Rt Revd Stephen Conway, Bishop of Lincoln, affirmed that Raising the Spiritual Temperature was about our identity in Christ and our own relationship with God.

He thanked Bishop David (who is retiring) and Archdeacon Justine (moving into a new post) for all they have shared with us as a diocesan family. He reported that formal permission has been granted to appoint a new Bishop of Grimsby.

Through the deanery consultation process, some deaneries had expressed a desire to amalgamate, whilst others wished to remain as they were. Bishop Stephen said he would accept these submissions as “local knows local best”.

Before concluding in prayer, Bishop Stephen also raised National and International concerns and hopes for the Church to hear and respond to the call of Christ, and see a world transformed by Christ’s Love.

Click or tap here to read the full address.

Questions under Standing Order 72

The Bishop of Grantham, as Chair of the Mission & Ministry Committee, responding to a question submitted by Revd Mark Holden (Horncastle), assured him that the Committee would discuss how we might show support to the Episcopal Church of the United States, in the light of the political pressure some within it were experiencing.

To a question from Revd Stuart Cradduck (Grantham), regarding how many parishes in the diocese were withholding their parish share in consequence of their position on the Prayers of Love and Faith (“PLF”), Andrew Holmes (Diocesan Secretary) advised there was just one such parish.

He confirmed as to date there is one parish and it will be paying its share through the Ephesian Fund.

In response to a question from Revd Robbie Strachan (Christianity), Bishop Stephen reaffirmed his, and the diocese’s, commitment to a diverse church and the Five Guiding Principles for Mutual Flourishing.

Financial Statements and Auditor’s Report

The minutes from the 2023 Annual General Meeting were approved.

Muriel Robinson (Christianity; Diocesan Board of Finance (DBF) Chair), Andrew Holmes and Gaylene Noble (Head of Finance) summarised the annual trustees’ report and accounts for 2024. The DBF recorded a deficit of £0.1m before gains on investment revaluations and asset disposals, resulting in a surplus of £1.2m.

However, the opportunity for further property sales was now very limited. Investments were held in funds that conformed with the diocese’s ethical principles. Fee income for occasional offices had been in decline though, in response to a question, it was noted that the value was small relative to the diocese’s total income.

Synod received the Annual Financial Statements and Financial Summary for 2024 and approved reappointment of HaysMac LLP’s reappointment as our auditors for 2025..

General Synod Report

Synod received from Muriel Robinson a report on the 10-14 February 2025 General Synod meeting held in London.

Safeguarding Report

Jack Redeyoff (Diocesan Safeguarding Officer) updated Synod on the work of the Safeguarding team and the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Panel.

An action plan in response to the INEQE recommendations was to be prepared by a “task and finish” working group. A Diocesan Safeguarding Conference is to be held on 4 October at Riseholme College campus and to which all are invited (booking is essential: follow the link).

Elections in Houses Results

The following were reported to have been elected unopposed to the Board of Patronage: Paul Davie (Grantham), Paul Brewster (Horncastle), David Cowell (Corringham) and Nigel Bacon (Elloe West), Revd Canon Julie Donn.

There remains one vacant position for the House of Laity and two for the House of Clergy. There are also still have two vacant lay positions from Stow and Lindsey on the Vacancy in See Committee.

Lafford Deanery Synod Motion

Following an amendment by Nigel Bacon, to a motion moved by Di Holt (Lafford) on behalf of her deanery, Synod unanimously approved a motion that expressed concern over (a) the curtailment of the Listed Places of Worship scheme by which parishes can reclaim VAT on church repairs, and (b) the inability of PCCs to reclaim VAT on churchyard maintenance.

The motion included the draft text for a motion that will now be finalised and submitted to the General Synod.

Living in Love and Faith

The Rt Revd Dr Nicholas Chamberlain, Bishop of Grantham, and Revd Canon Martyn Taylor (Stamford), facilitated a discussion about Living in Love and Faith (LLF). (Nigel Bacon (House of Laity Chair) chaired this item).

Bishop Nicholas provided a brief overview of the development and progress of LLF to date. All Dioceses have been invited to participate in a conversation and give feedback. Synod considered in groups the following questions:

What do you know about the LLF journey so far?
What conversations and/or formal opportunities to discuss or learn about LLF and the current proposals have you had in your parish(es)?
Bespoke Prayers:  what do you think about the proposals to introduce these?
Delegated Episcopal Ministry:  what do you think about the suggestion that this could be introduced?
What further questions/concerns/hopes do you have about the ongoing LLF journey?
Do you have any other ideas or issues about LLF that it might be helpful for the Church to consider?

Feedback was collected and would be submitted, in anonymised form, to the CoE’s LLF Programme Board. Along with other dioceses’ responses, this will inform discussion by the House of Bishops and General Synod.

Time to Change Together Reflection Report

This report was presented by Bishop David. We were 2/3 of the way into TTCT and now evaluating where we were and the next steps. Despite challenges and changes of leadership we had kept focus and were moving in the right direction.

In particular, we had more work to do on achieving growth, and the next phase will be ‘Time to Grow Together.’ Bishop David expressed gratitude for the way people have embraced what we are trying to do and acknowledged we are not in the same place we were 5 years ago. Synod received the report.

Strategic Development Fund Project – Update Report

Bishop David spoke to this report. Three resource churches and five plants had been established in urban centres and two more plants (Crosby, Scunthorpe and Newport, Lincoln) were being formed. Areas for improvement of the had been identified.

Bishop David thanked those who had contributed to revitalising and renewing Christian communities in urban centres.

Strategic Working Group

Bishop Stephen and Andrew Holmes outlined the Strategic Working Group’s purpose in building the Time to Grow Together strategy for the next ten years, in support of which funds would be sought from the National Church.

A wide range of people were progressing the strategy’s formation by engaging in five lever groups (Discipleship, Growth, People, Place, Resources). Synod members shared their thoughts in groups.

Act of Synod – Vacancy in See Committee Regulation 2024 as amended

Martyn Taylor formally proclaimed the Act of Synod for the change to the Vacancy In See Committee Regulation 2024.

Bishop Stephen closed the meeting in prayer.