The role of Chair of the Diocesan House of Laity appears in the legislation for the Diocesan Synod (the 1969 Synodical Government Measure). The Chair is elected by the Synod’s lay members and is the formal representative of the laity in the Diocese.
Because the Chair is not a paid employee s(he) has a certain independence that enables him/her to speak with a special freedom. The statutory duties are few but the Chair has a right to be informed and the responsibility/privilege to advise and warn. The following are some of the aspects of the role of the Diocesan Lay Chair (DLC).
The Synodical Role
- The Diocesan Bishop is President of the Diocesan Synod, with Vice-Presidents who are the Suffragan / Area Bishops in the diocese and the Chairs of the Houses of Laity and Clergy
- It is the Bishop’s prerogative to delegate the chairing of the meetings to the Vice-Presidents. It is customary for the Chairs of the Houses of Laity and Clergy to chair the main business items at Diocesan Synod.
- The DLC:
- Convenes and chairs meetings of the House of Laity
- Is an Ex-officio member of Bishop’s Council
- Is an Ex-officio member of the Synod Agenda Planning Group
- Is an Ex-officio member of the Vacancy in See Committee
The Diocesan Role
- To support and work closely with the Bishop and his senior staff
- To speak “the laity voice” where necessary and appropriate
- To encourage lay participation at all levels of diocesan life
- To work closely with the Deanery Lay Chairs in order to consult and inform in both directions
- To meet with the Bishop and the Clergy Chair together during the year to discuss matters of current concern
- To attend the annual meeting of the Bishop and his senior staff with the Deanery Lay Chairs
- To regularly liaise and consult confidentially with the Clergy Chair
- To play a role in Senior Appointments
- To represent the Laity at Cathedral events and special services and ceremonies
- To keep in close touch with the staff at Diocesan House (Diocesan Headquarters)
- To know and to have a Christian duty of pastoral care for members of the Synod
The National Role
- To meet regularly with other Diocesan Lay Chairs, nationally and regionally. It has been customary for a joint meeting with Diocesan Clergy Chairs to be held annually in London
- To offer the lay perspective to national consultations of church matters
