The Diocesan Doctrine Commission prepares reports on important theological issues confronting the Diocese.
Reports of the Diocesan Doctrine Commission
A report is initiated when the Archbishop, Synod or Standing Committee requests a theologically-informed consideration of a particular matter. Once completed, the report is presented to the requesting body, and is usually then published on the Document Search website:
» Diocesan Doctrine Commission Reports
A report requested by the Synod will first be presented to the Standing Committee for discussion and response, before being presented to Synod. A requesting body may ask that further work be done, or potentially reject a report, but the requesting body will not be invited to amend a report.
Once a report has been received by the requesting body, it will be made publicly available unless otherwise requested. A note will be added to the published report, commenting on its reception and status.
Constitution and Current Membership
The Doctrine Commission was constituted in 1981 by the Archbishop as a result of a request from Synod in 1981 and consists of ten members appointed by the Archbishop every three years in consultation with the Standing Committee. The Terms of Reference were updated following a further request from Synod in 2023.
Members retire at the first meeting of the Standing Committee following the first ordinary session of the Synod, and are eligible for re-appointment. At the first meeting of the Standing Committee after the first ordinary session of the Synod, the Archbishop recommends to the Standing Committee names of persons for appointment to the Commission. A Chair is appointed by the Archbishop from among the members of the Commission.
Current members of the Doctrine Commission are:
The Rev Dr Mark Thompson (Chair)
Mrs Rachel Ciano
The Rev Dr Andrew Leslie
The Rev Dr Edward Loane
The Rev Dr Gavin Perkins
The Rev Dr Willis Salier
The Rev Dr Andrew Shead
The Rev Dr Robert Smith
Bishop Michael Stead
The Rev Dr Danielle Treweek
Contact
All correspondence for the Doctrine Commission should be sent to the Secretary:
The Rev Dr Rob Smith
Secretary, Diocesan Doctrine Commission
Email: rsmith@smbc.edu.au
Further Information
