Stand for Synod

General Synod elections take place this year, and you are invited to stand.

General Synod (sometimes referred to as the Church’s Parliament) is the national assembly of the Church of England. It considers and approves legislation affecting the whole of the Church of England. It formulates new forms of worship, debates matters of national and international importance, and approves the annual budget for the work of the Church at a national level.

In Autumn 2026, elections will take place for new General Synod members. Those elected will serve for five years. Members are a mixture of bishops, clergy and lay people.

This is an opportunity to represent the concerns of your community and your diocese at a national level. You can have a say in national legislation that affects all parts of the Church of England. You can also raise issues and contribute to debates on social and policy matters.

Representation Matters

We are looking for candidates who represent the whole range of people and churches in the Church of England. We particularly welcome candidates whose background may currently be underrepresented. The voices, gifts and experiences of people of Global Majority Heritage enrich the life of the Church. Standing for General Synod is an opportunity to serve, shape the future of the Church and bring a wider range of perspectives into national decision-making.

If you feel called to contribute to the governance and mission of the Church of England, we encourage you to find out more about the election process and consider whether this could be a next step in your ministry or leadership journey.

Read more about the process and deadlines here.