synods
Clergy gather formally
Synods is the plural of synod, an assembly of church officials convened to discuss doctrine, governance, or discipline.
The term applies across Christian traditions—Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant churches all hold synods.
By extension, synod can mean any formal council or assembly: The faculty synod met to revise the curriculum.
Advisory deliberative group
- convocationFormal ceremonial gathering
- conventionAgreed standard of behavior
- conferenceOrganized meeting for discussion
- gatheringCollection of people meeting
meeting · conclave · summit · delegation · session · plenary · quorum · consistory
Accepted authoritative works
- creedStatement of belief
- dogmaUnchallengeable official beliefs
- heresyBelief opposing official doctrine
- theologyStudy of the divine
faith · catechism · orthodoxy · heterodoxy · confession · articles · pronouncement · anathema
Bishop's territorial jurisdiction
- episcopateBishops as a body
- presbyteryClergy dwelling or sanctuary
- bishopricBishop's jurisdictional district
- archbishopSenior prelate over province
patriarchate · parish · clergy · laity · ordination · vestry · rectory · prelacy
Power to enforce obedience
- jurisdictionLegal authority's scope
- legislationOfficial enactment of statutes
- oversightSupervision or inadvertent omission
- decreesOfficial orders with force
policy · regulation · administration · hierarchy · polity · ruling · resolution · statute
Across religious boundaries
- dialogueSpoken exchange between parties
- unityWholeness through cohesion
- cooperationJoint action toward shared aims
- reconciliationRestoration of friendly relations
fellowship · consensus · concord · communion · intercommunion · reunion · rapprochement · ecumenism
council
Advisory deliberative group
- convocationFormal ceremonial gathering
- conventionAgreed standard of behavior
- conferenceOrganized meeting for discussion
gathering · meeting · conclave · summit · delegation · session · plenary · quorum · consistory · congregation
canon
Accepted authoritative works
- creedStatement of belief
- dogmaUnchallengeable official beliefs
- heresyBelief opposing official doctrine
theology · faith · catechism · orthodoxy · heterodoxy · confession · articles · pronouncement · anathema · excommunication
diocese
Bishop's territorial jurisdiction
- episcopateBishops as a body
- presbyteryClergy dwelling or sanctuary
- bishopricBishop's jurisdictional district
archbishop · patriarchate · parish · clergy · laity · ordination · vestry · rectory · prelacy · chaplaincy
authority
Power to enforce obedience
- jurisdictionLegal authority's scope
- legislationOfficial enactment of statutes
- oversightSupervision or inadvertent omission
decrees · policy · regulation · administration · hierarchy · polity · ruling · resolution · statute · directive
interfaith
Across religious boundaries
- dialogueSpoken exchange between parties
- unityWholeness through cohesion
- cooperationJoint action toward shared aims
reconciliation · fellowship · consensus · concord · communion · intercommunion · reunion · rapprochement · ecumenism · Vatican
- Catholic ChurchVatican, papacy, cardinals, popes, papal
- CatholicismVatican, cardinals, pope, Holy Communion, popes
- religious organizationsBaptist churches, congregations, Methodist churches, Methodist Church, parishes
- American ChristianityBaptists, Methodists, Presbyterians, Lutherans, Episcopalians
- church historychurch history, apostles, Protestant Reformation, Christian history, baptism
- American Catholicismarchdiocese, parish council, archdioceses, Catholic school, Catholic schools
synodsprayer circles
Group forming ring to pray
Bible study groups · house churches · home churches · coffee hour · revivals
- Synod of DortReformed council against Arminianism
- holy synodChurch's highest governing body