The Diocesan Lay Chair plays an important role in the life of the diocese. As the lead lay person in the diocese they are representatives of and spokespersons for the laity in the diocese.
Under the Synodical Government legislation each diocese of the Church of England has a synod made up of the bishops and elected members of the clergy and laity. Each of these groups are referred to “Houses” i.e House of Bishops, House of Clergy and House of Laity.
The Synod is over seen by the President (the Diocesan Bishop) and Vice Presidents (any Suffragan or Area Bishops, the Chair of the house of Clergy and Chair of the House of Laity).
The function of the Diocesan Synod is to:
- Consider matters concerning the Church of England and to make provision for such matters in relation to our Diocese.
- Express an opinion on matters of religious or public interest.
- To advise the Bishop
- To consider and express an opinion on any matters referred to it by the Church of England’s General Synod
The Bishop has a duty to consult the Diocesan Synod on matters of general importance and concern to the Diocese.
In turn the Diocesan Synod keeps the Deanery Synods informed about policies and problems of the Diocese and provides an opportunity to discuss any matters raised by Deanery Synods in a Diocesan context.
The chairs of the houses of clergy and laity are elected by the members of their respective houses.
The Chair of the House of Laity – often referred to as Diocesan Lay Chair – is therefore an officer of the Diocesan Synod. They are elected on a triennial cycle (for three years) by members of the House of Laity. They are representatives of and key spokespersons for the laity of the Diocese.
