Complete Guide: 50 Essential Tips for Synod Delegates
Complete Guide: 50 Essential Tips for Synod Delegates
Attending Synod as a delegate is both a tremendous honor and a significant responsibility. Drawing from the wisdom of experienced delegates who have attended multiple Synods, here's a comprehensive breakdown of practical advice to help you serve effectively and faithfully.
Before You Go: Preparation is Key
Recognize the honor - Remember that being selected by your classis to attend Synod is a genuine privilege and blessing.
Read everything thoroughly - Go through the entire agenda, even the "boring" parts like financial reports and Council of Delegates materials.
Focus extra attention on your advisory committee assignments - This is where you'll have the most influence, so prioritize understanding those materials deeply.
Study both sides of contentious issues - Don't just read materials that confirm your existing views. Understand the arguments from all perspectives.
Read the Rules for Synodical Procedure - Download the PDF and familiarize yourself with key procedures. Use the search function to quickly find specific rules.
Study Church Order relevant sections - Know the rules that govern what you can and cannot do as a delegate.
Connect with Synod veterans - Find experienced delegates from your classis and take them out for coffee to get their insights.
Ask questions before you arrive - Don't hesitate to reach out to others if you're unclear about materials or procedures.
Prepare for minority reports - If you think your advisory committee might go in a direction you disagree with, start thinking about how you might respond.
Trust the Holy Spirit's leading in your preparation - Remember that God guides you in your study and preparation, not just during Synod sessions.
Understanding Synod Structure and Procedures
Know the week's flow - Thursday arrival, Friday convening and committee assignments, Friday-Saturday advisory committee work, Sunday rest, Monday-Thursday plenary sessions.
Understand advisory committee importance - These smaller groups (around 20 people vs. 160+ in plenary) are where you can truly represent your classis convictions.
Learn the difference between negative votes and minority reports - Registering a negative vote allows you to speak against a motion on the floor; minority reports present alternative recommendations.
Understand speaker queue procedures - Get in line early if you want to speak, because someone might call the question and cut off the queue.
Know your options when you disagree - You can vote against, register a negative vote, or write a minority report depending on how strongly you feel.
Remember the three-minute speaking limit - Prepare concise, focused remarks. You get maximum three opportunities to speak on any issue.
Understand friendly vs. substantial amendments - Know the difference and how each is handled procedurally.
Learn about floor motions - Any delegate can make a floor motion, but it needs a second and must be typed up and submitted properly.
Advisory Committee Strategy
Invest heavily in committee work - This is your highest-impact opportunity to influence Synod outcomes.
Speak clearly and prepare your points - Know what you want to say before you say it, even in the smaller committee setting.
Listen well to understand others - Show respect and be able to engage actual concerns rather than strawman arguments.
Don't be afraid to disagree - Debate and disagreement are why you're there. Just don't be a jerk about it.
Work toward consensus when possible - United committee reports carry much more weight on the Synod floor.
Be willing to stand alone if necessary - Don't compromise biblical convictions just to avoid being the only dissenting voice.
Understand that more committee work means smoother floor sessions - The more you hash things out in committee, the better refined the final recommendations will be.
Speaking Effectively
Address the chair, not the body - Follow proper procedure by directing your remarks to "Mr. Chair" or "Madam Chair."
Think about elders and deacons - Speak as if you're explaining the issue to the lay leaders in your own church, avoiding overly technical language.
Bring Scripture to the microphone - Use God's Word to anchor your arguments, but keep biblical quotations short and focused.
Prepare your remarks in advance - Have notes or even a short speech ready, especially for issues you feel strongly about.
State clearly whether you support or oppose - Begin by clearly saying "I speak in favor of" or "I speak against" the motion.
Get to the point and sit down - You don't need to use all three minutes. Say what you need to say effectively and concisely.
Don't repeat what others have said - If someone else has already made your point well, consider removing your name from the speaker queue.
Remove yourself from the queue if your point is covered - Be a good steward of Synod's time by not being redundant.
Taking Care of Yourself
Immerse yourself in the work - Set up your life so you can focus entirely on Synod for that one week.
Observe Sunday as a day of rest - Don't work on Synod business on the Lord's Day, even if there's pressure to do so.
Eat normally - Don't overindulge at the buffet lines. Eat as you normally would to maintain your energy and focus.
Get adequate sleep - Don't sacrifice sleep for extra work or socializing. You need rest to function effectively.
Exercise if that's your normal routine - Take walks or runs to keep your mind clear and body healthy.
Maintain daily devotions - Don't neglect reading your Bible and praying during this intense week.
Pray continuously throughout the day - Ask for God's wisdom and guidance in all your deliberations and decisions.
Managing Technology and Communication
Use browser tabs generously - Keep voting, speaker queue, amendments, and advisory committee reports open in separate tabs.
Check your Synod email frequently - This is how delegates communicate with each other during the week.
Get contact information from your committee chair and reporter - Having cell phone numbers can be crucial for last-minute communication.
Know you can change electronic votes - If you accidentally click the wrong option, you can change it before the tally is finalized.
Download and search Church Order and procedures - Use PDF search functions to quickly find relevant rules and procedures.
Delegate Rights and Responsibilities
Know you can challenge the chair - If you believe the presiding officer is making a procedural error, you have the right to challenge their ruling.
Use points of order appropriately - Call for clarification when you don't understand procedures or motions, but don't abuse this tool.
Remember delegates control the meeting - You're not stuck with officers who run away with the meeting. Delegates can take control through proper motions.
Take advantage of minority report opportunities - Don't be intimidated about writing a minority report if your conscience demands it.
Maintain Christian character throughout - Whether you're winning or losing votes, represent Christ well in your words, actions, and attitude toward those who disagree with you.
Conclusion: Joyful Warriors
The best advice for any Synod delegate is to approach the work as a "joyful warrior" - someone willing to fight for biblical truth and confessional fidelity, but who does so with grace, humor, and perspective. Remember that you serve Christ ultimately, not Synod or even your classis. Trust that God is sovereign over the outcomes, do your faithful work with conviction and joy, and be prepared to "keep fighting the good fight in the messy reformation."
Synod can be intense, emotional, and exhausting, but it's also worship offered to God as you seek to provide faithful guidance for Christ's church. Approach it with both the seriousness it deserves and the joy that comes from serving the Lord of the church.