Synodical Government Measure of 1969

The Synodical Government Measure of 1969 was a significant legislative act within the Church of England. This measure transferred most of the legislative powers previously held by the Convocations of Canterbury and York to a new General Synod.1

A synod, originating from the Greek word for "assembly," is a gathering of church officials, typically bishops, to address matters of church discipline and administration. Historically, synods have convened throughout Christianity to resolve important church issues. In the Roman Catholic Church, the Synod of Bishops was established in 1965 to assist the pope in church governance. In some Protestant traditions, like Presbyterian and Reformed churches, a synod is an organizational unit comprising several presbyteries. The General Synod of the Church of England, established by the 1969 measure, now includes houses of bishops, clergy, and laity, holding authority over liturgical, doctrinal, ecumenical, and financial matters.2341