General Synod

The General Synod is the national assembly of the Church of England.

It came into being in 1970 under the Synodical Government Measure 1969, replacing an earlier body known as the Church Assembly.

The General Synod considers and approves legislation affecting the whole of the Church of England, formulates new forms of worship, debates matters of national and international importance, and approves the annual budget for the work of the Church at national level.

The General Synod consists of a house of Bishops, a house of clergy (properly known as the Lower House of the Convocations of the provinces of Canterbury and York)  and a house of laity. The Synod is governed by Canons H1 to H3.  The clerical and lay members are largely elected to represent each diocese  every five years by members of Deanery Synods. The elections are conducted in accordance with the Clergy Election Rules 2020 and the House of Laity Election Rules 2020, though these rules are usually updated before each election. There is also provision for representation in the Lower House of Convocations of Cathedral Deans, Universities and Theological Education Institutions, Religious Communities and clergy serving in the Armed Forces.

The composition of the house of Bishops, sometimes referred to as the Upper House of the Convocations of the provinces of Canterbury and York, is set out in Canon H3, and the elections for the elected members are governed by the Convocations (Election to Upper House) Rules 2020.

The composition and proceedings of the House of Laity in the General Synod are governed by Part 5 of the Church Representation Rules 2022.