General Synod Election Candidates 2026

Revd Mark Wallace
Vicar of St Peter’s, Colchester
Candidate for re-election to General Synod
Proposed by Revd Amy Stott
Vicar of St Luke’s, Canning Town; Area Dean of Newham
“Mark is an example of what it means to work across di6erence
to see the Church of England grow and reach our nation. I have
valued his commitment and diligence in ensuring that
important conversations happen at diocesan and national
levels, and strongly commend him for re-election.”
Seconded by Revd Paul Dever
Vicar of St John’s, Colchester
“I have come to know and value Mark as a thoughtful and gracious colleague, with a deep commitment to
the gospel and the mission of the local church. His experience, wisdom and willingness to listen and
engage constructively make him a valuable voice on General Synod.”
Why I am standing again
Five years ago, clergy across Chelmsford elected me to General Synod. I am very grateful for that trust, and I am
standing again because I remain convinced that the local church needs a strong voice in the national Church.
National structures are at their best when they help local churches proclaim Christ, make disciples, care for people
and serve their communities. They are at their worst when they become detached from the realities clergy and
congregations face on the ground.
I bring five years’ experience of General Synod, including service on the Standing Committee of the House of Clergy,
alongside fourteen years as Vicar of St Peter’s, Colchester.
My starting point is Jesus Christ and the good news entrusted to his Church. I am an evangelical Anglican who
believes that Scripture is authoritative for the faith and life of the Church. I want the Church of England to have
confidence in the gospel and to build healthy local churches.
I also want to engage seriously and courteously with those with whom I disagree. Synod needs conviction, but it
also needs people who will listen carefully, read the papers and work constructively with others.
What I have tried to do on Synod
During the last five years I have tried to be more than simply another vote, contributing particularly where national
decisions a6ect the everyday health and governance of parishes. This has included:
•
PCC accountability and conduct — arguing for workable processes when behaviour becomes seriously
damaging;
•
the revised Guidelines for the Professional Conduct of the Clergy, pressing for proper attention to harm,
trust, boundaries and accountability;
•
proposals for the Mission and Pastoral Measure, arguing for appropriate scrutiny and safeguards when
decisions are made about parishes and church buildings;
•
safeguarding and healthy church culture, where we need both rigorous accountability and systems which
are fair and workable locally.
Experience in parish ministry, and previously as Senior Chaplain to the Bishops of Maidstone and Ebbsfleet, has
convinced me that safeguarding depends not simply on policies and training, but on healthy cultures, clear
accountability and proper attention to power.

Priorities for the next five years
Local churches, mission and sustainable ministry
Clergy and PCCs are facing declining resources, increasingly complex compliance requirements, ageing buildings,
volunteer shortages and significant pastoral pressures.
National initiatives should repeatedly have to answer a simple question:
I want resources directed towards sustainable parish ministry, evangelism and renewal, children and young people,
clergy formation and the long-term health of local churches.
Governance and accountability
Recent years have exposed serious weaknesses in the governance and culture of parts of the Church of England.
Good governance is not bureaucracy for its own sake. Proper scrutiny, transparent decision-making and clear
accountability protect people and enable mission. Synod members need adequate information, clear legal and
theological advice, and meaningful opportunities to scrutinise major decisions.
Faithfulness and constructive disagreement
The next Synod will continue to face profound theological disagreements.
I remain committed to the Church’s received doctrine of marriage and sexual ethics, and have argued consistently
for theological and legal clarity during the Living in Love and Faith / Prayers of Love and Faith process. I will continue
to argue for proper provision for those whose consciences prevent them from participating in new developments.
At the same time, disagreement must never become an excuse for contempt or poor pastoral care.
I am a complementarian evangelical and serve on the Standing Commission on the House of Bishops’ Declaration
and the Five Guiding Principles. I want Synod to show that clear theological conviction and generous engagement
can coexist.
What I bring
I remain first and foremost a parish priest. Since 2012 I have served St Peter’s, Colchester through significant
renewal alongside the ordinary realities of evangelism, pastoral ministry, safeguarding, finance, volunteers,
governance and the care of a historic church building.
Beyond the parish, I am a CPAS Patronage Trustee, Vice-Chair of the Chelmsford Diocesan Evangelical Network, a
member of Chelmsford Diocesan Synod, and a member of the Standing Commission on the House of Bishops’
Declaration and Five Guiding Principles.
If re-elected, I will seek to represent clergy across the whole Diocese of Chelmsford, including those who do not
share my theological convictions. I will listen carefully, remain available to colleagues, and communicate clearly
about significant Synod decisions and debates.
I cannot promise particular outcomes. I can promise to do the work: to read carefully, ask di6icult questions when
necessary, listen to others, and keep asking how national decisions a6ect local churches.
It has been a privilege to serve Chelmsford on General Synod for the last five years, and I would be glad to continue
doing so.

[email protected] | The Vicarage, Balkerne Close, Colchester CO1 1NZ
does this genuinely help the Church fulfil its mission locally,
and is the burden we are creating proportionate to the benefit?
I would be very grateful for your first preference vote
— or, if I am not your first choice, for a high preference

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