General Synod Election Candidates 2026

Jonathan Sharp - General Synod Election Address
“where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” 2 Cor 3:17
This wonderful assertion sums up the Church of England’s foundation, and “If you abide in my
word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
RT Kendall famously observed ‘God has an opinion about everything’. This is both challenging
and comforting. It brings a sense of immediacy and concentrates the mind and heart on what
God’s opinion would be - for personal issues, for what our churches teach and of course at
General Synod. He first points us to the Bible, helped by the Holy Spirit, and refined in
discussion with others. We have to let the Word judge us and we have the foundational Canons
and Formularies to help us.
General Synod’s main roles are approving liturgy & doctrine changes, setting budgets and
maintaining good relations with other churches. It also has influence, in different ways, over our
church and country.
If elected, I’d join those who seek to follow the Church of England’s orthodox biblical witness
because God’s way is always going to be best for us. His loving direction is sometimes a severe
mercy but never to be scorned. “if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
Liturgy & doctrine
The dominating issue is still a 7 year struggle to change doctrine in the area of who can marry
who. In the new General Synod a return to orthodoxy is hoped for, but if not the main concern
will be to put legal structures in place to support parishes that continue in orthodox faith. This
could be a big change and some have already embarked on it. We then need to focus on our
urgent responsibility to bring grace, repentance, hope and Godly wisdom to our nation.
What we spend money on
The Church’s ample financial resources should be used principally to support parish ministry.
We have to recognise that God is at work in the smallest gatherings as well as in festive crowds,
so parishes need to be prioritised in financial support and in ministry resources. A strong long-
term commitment to biblically-faithful parish communities will help restore confidence in those
considering full-time ordained leadership. It will also encourage potential lay leaders to invest
time and energy in training.
Many are aware of the huge costs of Project Spire, found to be historically inaccurate and
opposed to CofE charitable objectives. Likewise the expensive ‘net-zero’ requirements which feel
more like false-virtue than true benefit. Both need to be stopped. The ‘racial justice’
programmes, which turn out to be the opposite, must also be dissolved.
External relationships
We also need to re-establish good relations with our fellow global majority Anglicans who no
longer recognise the authority of the Archbishop of Canterbury. This will only happen if the LLF
measures are reversed or a separate structure established.
Thankful
There is a lot to be thankful for in our churches - God’s presence in our lives, joyful worship,
welcoming strangers, great children’s and youth work, warm friendships, encouraging teaching,
lives changed, support for those in need (Acts 2:42).

The recent CofE Youth Research report shows how authentic Christian faith attracts people. It's
also not schemes or projects that give hope but the discovery of Jesus as a person, 'the answers
I was seeking are found in the church down the road…' Carl Willers.
We need to nourish and build on this and see what God will do. This will not necessarily be a
focus on numerical growth, though that will happen, but on building and strengthening us for
the challenges to come.
Engaging Britain
It's also encouraging to see biblical principles for human flourishing being more confidently
expressed in the wider media though often this is from other Christian groups. In the midst of
many personal and collective challenges the words and grace of our Creator need to be heard.
Thy will be done on earth…
Five priorities
I'd like the General Synod to encourage the following priorities for our churches:

• application - in sermons - more reference to God’s work in the world. Not just what’s there

but what it’s there-for. We should be asking - Lord what are you saying to us right now? And
hearing His answer.

• prayer - for the nation - more focussed prayer for UK institutions/issues (examples). He cares

for all of us and national decisions affect the people He loves. The Government is answerable to
God so we need to advise it well. There is no left or right only up or down!

• history – draw more on our Christian history - how God has amazingly blessed us, and

through Him Britain has been a blessing to others (answering the prayers of generations of
Anglicans). We look to Him doing that again.

• practical theology – more organised, topic-based learning on key Christian themes, a similar

role to catechisms - knowing what you believe. "In understanding be mature" 1 Cor 14:20.

• information - more help on about how to handle the many vexing and divisive issues in our

community, at work, with friends, for our nation, providing thoughtful Christian responses,
initiating conversations. Young people are asking - why we are so silent?
My experience ...
I serve on PCC, Deanery and Diocesan Synod, and also Bishop’s Council (ie a DBF trustee) so
I’m aware of the general structure and workings of the Diocese and what it is seeking to do. I
have actively contributed to these groups.
I have been part of a Church plant and also long-established congregations with different
traditions in Plymouth and London but mostly in Brighton & Hove.
My background is in software development having worked for a British Telecom subsidiary and
more recently for the UK branch of a New Zealand firm, building e-commerce and online
learning systems. I now work on my cultural-apologetics website. Recreationally, I enjoy sailing
with family and friends.
If any of this resonates with you - please vote for me! Thank you

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