Boards & Committees
Throughout the course of the year, the work of the General Synod is carried out by its boards and committees, and by the officers who work in the General Synod Office.
General Synod Boards
The Standing Committee represents the General Synod in the day-to-day running of the church. It draws up the agenda and sets the timetable for General Synod meetings. It is also responsible for the oversight of the General Synod Office.
There are four boards: Administration; Faith & Order; Institute Council and Mission. The boards’ main role is to interpret and carry out the broad policy guidelines laid out by the General Synod. Each oversees a specific area of the Church’s work. Board conveners are elected by the General Synod while members are appointed by dioceses to represent them.
Standing Committee
The Standing Committee serves as the Executive Committee of the General Synod and is the trustee body for the charity that is the General Synod of the Scottish Episcopal Church. The Standing Committee implements General Synod’s decisions, and co‐ordinates the work of the four Boards.
Administration Board
The Administration Board is responsible for policy relating to the administration of provincial investments and for matters relating to clergy stipends and allowances.
Faith and Order Board
The Faith and Order Board considers questions of Church government, organisation and relations with the Anglican Communion and other churches.
Mission Board
The Mission Board is responsible for the strategic oversight of the Church’s mission in Scotland and overseas including engagement in Scottish life and society.
Institute Council
The Institute Council (also known as the Board of the Scottish Episcopal Institute) has strategic oversight of the Scottish Episcopal Institute and of the delivery of formation and training for authorised ministry in the Scottish Episcopal Church. It has a Board of Studies with responsibility for curricula.
General Synod Committees
The boards are served by committees that form working groups, focused on specific areas. Committee members are chosen for their expertise in these specific areas. They also try to keep in touch with any parallel committees operating in the dioceses.
More information about each Committee can be found under the page for the relevant board.
Code of Conduct
Members of the Standing Committee are regarded as the charity trustees of the General Synod, and it is appropriate that all members of Boards or Committees adhere to the same general principles as are applicable specifically to charity trustees. This Code of Conduct is intended to provide guidance for those serving on Boards and Committees.
