GS 2004 Article 82 – Advisors at General Synod

Committee 1 presented its proposal on the overture from Regional Synod East, November 12, 2003 re: Advisors at General Synod.  After several rounds of discussion, the following was defeated:

1.     Material

Overture from Regional Synod East, November 12, 2003 re: Advisors at General Synod

2.    Admissibility

This overture is declared admissible.

3.    Observations

  • 3.1.   General Synods in the past have appointed the minister of the convening church, or the counselor, to serve as advisor.
  • 3.2.   Regional Synod November 12, 2003 overtures General Synod 2004 to add the following as Article I.G. of the Guidelines for General Synod: “Although advice can be requested in particular matters, advisory members shall not be appointed.”
  • 3.3.   Regional Synod gives the following reasons for its recommendation:
    • 3.3.1. The convening church does not send a delegate to general synod, rather delegates to general synod are sent by the regional synods.
    • 3.3.2. To preclude the seating of advisors does not mean that general synod cannot call upon others for advice on particular matters. Article III.A.9 of the regulations states that “If anyone has been requested to advise Synod on any matter, he shall address Synod on this point only when asked to do so by the chair” (cf. Acts of Synod 1989 Art. 16, Considerations 1-3).

4.    Consideration

Synod agrees with the recommendation of Regional Synod East, November 12, 2003, as well as the reasons given for the recommendation.

5.    Recommendation

Synod decide to add the following as article I.G. of the Guidelines for General Synod: “Although advice can be requested in particular matters, advisory members shall not be appointed.” This overture, then, is taken back to committee.