General Synod Election Candidates 2026

Dr Richard Soppitt
Standing for the House of Laity of the General Synod
[email protected]

Why am I standing?
I am standing for General Synod because I want to help build a Church in which clergy and
lay people can flourish, communicate honestly, feel safe, and fulfil the joyful vocations to
which God has called them.
I am passionate about creating safe spaces in which people can belong, raise concerns and
be heard. I have a heart for those on the fringes of society at risk through social exclusion,
and I know there is always hope for transformation and healing through an encounter with
Jesus.

My professional background:
Professionally, I am a part-time NHS Consultant Child and Family Psychiatrist. I also hold a recent
master’s degree in theology, (St Augustine’s College/Durham University). My thesis explored
clergy wellbeing, safety and healthy church culture, listening particularly to the lived experiences
of women clergy and examining relationships both within congregations and between different
levels of church leadership.
I am very aware that organisations can have a shadow side, and the Church is no exception. My
brother was a Christian leader who became burnt out and severely depressed. His story inspired
my master’s thesis and my deeper focus on clergy wellbeing.
My safeguarding experience includes serving as a lead doctor for safeguarding and working as
a consultant psychiatrist in a joint NHS post with Social Services, supporting complex child
protection and Family Court work. This has given me extensive experience of safeguarding
systems, risk, and accountability. Those carrying significant pastoral and safeguarding
responsibilities need effective supervision, and it is vital that we take care to listen to those whose
voices may otherwise be overlooked.

My relevant Church Experience:
I gave my life to Christ on a Pathfinder Venture at the age of eleven, and my faith has remained
central to my life ever since. I have been in various leadership roles within the church and
parachurch movements over the years. I serve at St Luke’s Prestonville on the PCC and have
been a Parish Safeguarding Officer for seven years. I regularly preach and have led worship with
voice, keyboard, and trombone.
As well as serving in my local church, I serve on the Advisory Group for the Terms and Wellbeing
of Ministers (AGTAWM), a national synod-level committee addressing clergy wellbeing, terms
and conditions, and significant reforms affecting clergy life, including the Clergy Discipline
Measure and contractual issues. I see a valuable synergy between this detailed national work
and the work of General Synod, helping ensure that policy is informed by the lived experience of
clergy and congregations and translates into healthier, safer and more sustainable parish
ministry. My combined roles would help me bring lay and parish perspectives into key decision
making within the Church of England.

My take on key issues facing the Church:
Clergy and lay minister wellbeing: My particular concern is the wellbeing and support of all
frontline clergy and lay ministers. Ministers should not merely be helped to cope; they should be
enabled to flourish in their vocation, exercise their gifts and pursue the passions that drew them
into ministry. My MA in Theology focused primarily on the lived experiences of women, including
women from the Global Majority, within a particularly challenging diocese. Chichester has one of
the lowest proportions of women ministers in England. This work strengthened my commitment
to improving and supporting women’s ministry at every level.

Inclusion in a broad sense: I am committed to a Church in which LGBTQIA+ clergy and lay
people are treated with dignity, compassion and respect, and are enabled to grow more fully into
who they are in Christ. I consider marching in Brighton Pride a highlight of my Christian ministry
in terms of breaking down barriers between us and the “world,” whilst promoting safe spaces
and equality in the Church community. I recognise that Christians hold differing theological
convictions, but I believe disagreement should be handled prayerfully and graciously, without
exclusion, hostility or harm. I echo Jesus’ prayer, for unity and the importance of love marking us
out as true followers of Jesus.

Better conflict resolution: I have mediation training and wish to build bridges between different
traditions where possible. I am also passionate about conflict resolution - being a middle child
may help! The Church needs better ways of handling disagreement, stronger communication, and
clearer expectations, between bishops, clergy and congregations. We need to encourage cultures
in which difficult conversations can take place with honesty, respect and trust whilst early warning
signs are picked up to promote wellbeing, and mutual accountability.
A neuroinclusive church: I also have a particular interest in neuroaffirmative and inclusive
practice through my work and family life. Through my NHS clinical and research work, I am
involved in developing positive approaches for how we conceptualise neurodivergent people’s
inherent strengths. I believe the Church should create environments and forms of communication
that enable people with different ways of thinking, processing and participating to belong and
contribute fully.
Safeguarding: I support the recommendations for learning, accountability and independent
scrutiny from the independent reviews of Makin and Scolding. I recognise that a sensitive change
management process is needed as the Church moves towards independent scrutiny.
Parish life: I support adequate resourcing of parish life to promote community engagement and
service at a local level thus showing Jesus’ love and compassion to those around us from all
backgrounds.

What would I bring to General Synod?
If elected, I would bring an independent, prayerful and practical voice rooted in parish
life and informed by my experience in healthcare, safeguarding, theology and national
church work.
I would work particularly for flourishing ministry, safer and healthier church cultures;
better communication, conflict resolution, and neuroinclusion; the dignity and belonging
of LGBTQIA+ people, the flourishing of women’s ministry, and a strong connection
between national decision-making and the lived reality of our parishes.
Thank you for taking the time to read my statement and for considering supporting me. I
would be honoured to serve the Diocese of Chichester in the House of Laity and would be
very happy to respond to questions using the contact details above.

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