10 Feb GS 2004 art 89

GS 2004 Article 89 – Advisors at General Synod

The committee 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 adopted:

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.   In the past, general synods have appointed the minister of the convening church or the counselor to serve as advisor.
• 3.2.   Regional Synod East, 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 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

• 4.1.   Regional Synod is correct when it says that “delegates to general synod are sent by the regional synods and not by the convening church,” but this does not say anything about advisors.
• 4.2.   Advisors may be called upon for advice by Synod but, unlike delegates, advisors cannot vote on any matters before Synod.
• 4.3.   The fact that general synod can call upon others for advice on any matter at any time does not preclude the seating of advisors.

5.    Recommendation

Synod decide not to accede to the request of Regional Synod East, November 12, 2003.