General Synod Election Candidates 2026

Dear Clergy Colleagues,
I’m sure like me you are aware of some significant challenges facing the Church. Although
daunting at times, I believe in a faithful God who continues to work through the Church of
England to see lives and eternities transformed by the good news of Jesus and the witness,
worship and service of his people. I am standing for General Synod because the more time
I’ve spent serving in the Church of England, the more I have grown to love who we are and
the way we seek to serve God locally and nationally. I want to see parishes, ministers and
the whole people of God flourish, and I believe that in Christ, that can and does happen.
I am going to share a little about me, my priorities and what I see as significant for the next
Quinquennium of General Synod. If you feel that I might represent you well on Synod, then I
would be grateful for your high preference vote. Please also feel free to get in touch if you’d
like to discuss any of these things further.
Thank you, and may God continue to bless you in your ministry,
Revd Tom Robson
Candidate for General Synod
Vicar, St John’s Southbourne with West Thorney
ADDO, Bishop’s Adviser for Vocations
271 Main Road, Southbourne
West Sussex, PO10 8JE
07380 563092
[email protected]
I am married with three daughters, and for the last three years have been vicar of St John’s
in the parish of Southbourne with West Thorney, just to the west of Chichester. I love living
between the sea and the Downs, and enjoy walking to the coast when I can. I spend time
playing and listening to a variety of music, and trying to perfect my coffee brewing(!)
My experience of ministry is rooted in the everyday realities of the local parish, and in
Chichester Diocese in particular. I served as Youth and Families Missioner for St Augustine’s,
Scaynes Hill, prior to ordination. After training at Ridley Hall, I was Curate in Angmering, then
Incumbent of Wick and Lyminster and now in Southbourne. I have served on a number of
Diocese committees, and have a particular interest in vocations and helping discern and
grow the calling and gifts of laity and clergy.
About me
About me
Nominated by:
Revd Vanessa Baron, Canon Treasurer, Chichester Cathedral
Seconded by:
Revd Brendan Martin, Rector of Frant with Eridge

The Parish as the Heart of Mission
The parish must remain the heart of the Church of England’s mission. I have friends in other
churches who do great things, but no denomination has the same commitment to people and
prayer covering every inch of our country. I believe that local parishes thrive when we are
trusted and resourced, and faithful to our calling. I had the privilege of serving as acting
Archdeacon of Chichester last year, and my interactions with clergy, PCCs and parishes
gave me optimism that God is still at work, building his kingdom. At Synod, I will advocate
for policies and funding streams that simplify and share administrative burdens, protect local
resources, and free clergy and lay leaders to focus on making disciples. That was my
intended focus when writing this year’s Lent Course, I hope it was helpful if you used it.
Nurturing Calling & Gifting
Every member of the church has a God-given calling. I have tried to encourage this in the
parishes where I have served, and through my roles as Young Vocations Adviser and Assistant
DDO for this Diocese, and as a Bishop’s Adviser on the national selection panels. It’s exciting
meeting people of all ages wanting to explore God’s calling. It’s important that Synod
champions a culture that fosters the full range of lay and ordained ministries, equipping the
people of God for the worship and mission of the Church.
Clergy & Leader Wellbeing
Growing a healthy church requires well-supported clergy and lay leaders. Working with
colleagues across the diocese has highlighted for me the risks of clergy isolation, burnout,
and unsustainable workloads. If we are to inspire new vocations, and support those already
serving, we must care for those who often give sacrificially, including full-time, part-time,
house for duty, self-supporting, retired clergy and chaplains. I will support national initiatives
that promote clergy welfare, provide proper pastoral care, and ensure fair, transparent
processes across the church. The recent improvements to the clergy pension scheme are
good, and demonstrate what can be done when Synod works collaboratively on a
constructive goal.
Handling Significant Issues with Faith and Compassion
As Synod navigates ongoing discussions around sexuality and other significant issues, I am
committed to listening and sharing with graciousness, integrity, and seeking biblical
guidance. I hold an orthodox position on marriage, and I think I am good at working
constructively with people from across differing theological positions. That is a key reason
why I am standing. I have learned a lot about hearing other perspectives from my time on our
Diocese’ Racial Justice Committee and I want to encourage Synod to do that in the most
faithful and Christ-like way we can.
Safeguarding
At a local level, I have witnessed the time and care that has increasingly been invested to
make our churches safe places for everyone. But there is still more to do, especially at a
national and structural level to rebuild and earn the trust that has been broken. I believe that
we need genuine repentance and a willingness to listen and learn.
Focus on Mission
I would love Synod’s primary aim to be supporting the local church’s mission. We have all
seen lives transformed through the ministries that people give time, effort and prayer to. So I
want to help ensure Synod’s focus is equipping churches to continue doing this in the years
ahead. The use of national resources should be prioritised for local parish ministry.
Priorities
Priorities
Synod & The Church
Synod & The Church
Thank you for taking the time to read my address. If you feel I could represent you on
General Synod, then I would be grateful for your high-preference vote.

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