The Church of England is made up of 42 Dioceses. Each of the English dioceses (and the Diocese in Europe) has a structure of boards and councils responsible for different aspects of the Church’s work including ministry, mission and education.
General Synod
The national assembly of the Church of England who make decisions on doctrine and practice.
The General Synod is the national assembly of the Church of England. It came into being in 1970 replacing an earlier body known as the Church Assembly. It continues a tradition of synodical government which, in England, has its origins in the medieval period.
It consists of bishops, clergy and laity who meet twice a year (occasionally three times) to make decisions on the doctrine and practice of the Church of England. It votes the funding for the work of the church centrally.
Diocesan Synod
Every diocese has its own Diocesan Synod which consists of the bishops and archdeacons and elected laity and clergy.
Deanery Synod
Each deanery has its own Deanery Synod which consists of lay members and clergy. Lay members are elected at Annual Parochial Church Meetings (APCMs) and meet with the clergy of the deanery under the joint chairmanship of the Rural Dean and the Lay Chair.
The Norwich Diocesan Board of Finance
The Norwich Diocesan Board of Finance Ltd (NDBF) hold the assets of the Diocese and are responsible for its finances.
It is a company limited by guarantee (company no. 88175) and comprises of the members of the Diocesan Synod who are equivalent to shareholders. They arrange payment of living expenses from endowments (managed by the Church Commissioners), glebe, fees and parish shares.
The Diocesan Board of Education
This is a statutory body established under the Diocesan Boards of Education Measure 2021.
The functions of the Diocesan Board of Education include: the promotion of education consistent with the faith and practice of the Church of England; the promotion of religious education and religious worship in schools and academies; the promotion of Church schools and academies in the diocese; and advice to school governors on any matter affecting Church schools and academies.
The Bishop’s Council of Trustees
Advising the Bishop on matters of policy and pastoral supervision.
The Bishop’s Council of Trustees is the body in which all lines of Diocesan oversight, leadership and decision-making meet; the Bishop, Bishop’s Staff, the Diocesan Synod and all statutory and non-statutory Diocesan Boards, Committees and working groups.