General Synod Election Candidates 2026

Sam Prior – candidate for General Synod

My name is Sam Prior and I am standing as a lay candidate for
General Synod in the Diocese of Chelmsford, I would ask that you
prayerfully consider voting for me in this election.

Why I am standing for General Synod?

The Church of England has been central to the development and
enrichment of my faith journey. I came to faith after leaving
university at an Anglican church in London. Whilst my natural style
of worship tends towards the liturgical, I have since been shaped and encouraged by a
variety of churches of different styles and contexts, from an estate church in Bristol via
St Mary’s, Saffron Walden & HTB to a varied benefice near Braintree, where my wife is a
vicar.

I am privileged to have a vicarage-eye view of the joys and challenges of parish ministry.
I am involved in running Alpha in the benefice and co-lead the Course in Christian
Studies in the area. I have seen up close the ways, both good and bad, in which
decisions made by Synod or at a national level effect ministry on the ground. Over this
last year, I have felt challenged that I ought to be willing to offer what skills, perspective
and experience I have by standing for General Synod.

I am standing for a Church of England that puts mission at the centre of its ministry; that
truly welcomes and make space for all; that fulfils its vision of being a church for all of
the people of England; that does as much as possible to support and resource
churches and priests on the ground; that embraces listening in diversity and seeks unity
even where there is disagreement.

What can I offer?

I am currently Head of Impact for an international mission charity and have 9 years of
experience working in roles in impact measurement and donor & financial analysis in
the Christian charitable sector. Before this, I worked in insurance tax. From this I bring
an analytical mindset and considerable practical experience of measurement and
evaluation in a church and faith setting.

I have experienced and been blessed by the breadth of the Church of England and
currently worship across a three-church benefice near Braintree, one of which is a Local
Ecumenical Partnership. My wife and I have two daughters, who are 6 and 4. I am an
avid reader, enthusiastic home cook, keen hobbyist and regular swimmer.

benefice,ecumenical,htb,liturgical,mission,vicarage