General Synod Election Candidates 2026

Candidate for General Synod​ ​
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Revd. Chris Blunt
I’d like to offer myself to serve the Diocese of Chester and the wider church in standing for election to
General Synod. Please have a read of my pitch below and, if you like what you read about advocating
for more deprived parishes, representing the concerns of our diocese and graceful faith, then please
consider voting for me, ideally as your first choice candidate (but if not that then as your second or
third choice candidate). Thank you!
In part, I’m standing again because I feel called to complete some
unfinished business relating to Chester’s deprived parishes. You
may recall in November 2025 our Diocesan Synod passed a motion
that I introduced relating to Lowest Income Communities Funding
(LInC - a massive distribution from the Church Commissioners that
completely bypasses Chester Diocese). That motion was elevated
to General Synod, and I introduced the debate at the February
2026 group of sessions. An amended version of the motion was
passed that means the distribution formula will be reviewed - a
good first step! That review is now taking place and I have been
invited onto the National Diocesan Funding Review Reference
Group, to give direct input. It would be great to be re-elected to
continue that work on behalf of the diocese.
I now have 5 years’ experience on General Synod. So, as and when other issues come up that affect
us as a diocese and that can be changed by synod, I would be very happy to engage with you to see if
we can’t bring those issues onto the agenda as well - just let me know! You know that I’m
sometimes a bit like the clergy shop steward at Diocesan Synod - I’d be happy to do that for you at
General Synod too where there are issues that we can all get behind (as I have often done for the
retired clergy association and others).
Here’s a snapshot of some of the main issues that will be coming up over the next 5 years and how I
have voted on them to date and will vote in the future if you elect me:
Safeguarding: I will always vote for what I understand to be best safeguarding practice (which
includes ensuring that it is proportionate so that we can all implement it!). The Gospel demands it
as Jesus tells us not to hinder the little children coming to him. In the past I voted for partial
independence of diocesan safeguarding, in the future I’d vote for full independence - the public (and
politicians and media) demand it, it is practicable, it should raise standards and the objection that we
shouldn’t be farming it out doesn’t hold up as we are always responsible for it at the grassroots.
National Church Governance: we all know that the C of E centrally can be opaque! I voted for the
simplifications that were presented to synod. These have now been rejected by parliament because
a) they want to see safeguarding independence addressed first; and b) they felt the changes
centralised too much power. Jesus elevates “the church” as a final arbiter (e.g. Matt. 18) so I will
vote for changes that require as much decision-making as possible to be subject to synod’s scrutiny
and veto.
Church Commissioner’s Funding: as opposed to large competitive grants for specific projects, I’m far
more in favour of channelling Church Commissioner’s funding to the widespread grassroots. This
requires funding formulae that I will be advocating should be calculated at parish rather than
diocesan level. I have already made suggestions along these lines to the National Diocesan Funding
Review. It’s more like the equality of blessing that the Apostle seems to be advocating for in 2 Cor. 8.
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Gender and Sexuality: throughout the extended debates on these issues I have consistently voted
for what is often referred to as the traditional/ biblical/ orthodox position. I will continue to do so.
Wherever there is an opportunity, I will also always vote in favour of the traditional/ biblical/
orthodox position on the doctrine of grace - that nothing about anyone’s gender or sexuality changes
God’s love for them… so it shouldn’t change the church’s either.
Net zero: I recognise the climate crisis (who doesn’t after this summer?!). I love the drive and
ambition behind the push for net zero. I become concerned when synod makes decisions that rightly
belong in the parishes - think about boiler replacements (synod has mandated that renewable
alternatives be considered before allowing like-for-like). Whilst advocating strongly for net zero I
would still vote for these decisions to be owned by the parishes.
Racial Justice: err… yes please! The controversy is about the much misunderstood £100m of Church
Commissioner’s money. It is not earmarked to be given away to a randomly selected group of
organisations working amongst historically enslaved communities. It is a new way of investing 1% of
the Church Commissioner’s £10b assets in businesses that create opportunity within those
communities. Only the return on those investments are grant-funded. I think we can enthusiastically
support this - given the total endowment, it’s actually quite a small gesture that speaks volumes to
our belief in a church for every tribe, language, people and nation.
Hopefully this gives you an idea of what positions you would be getting if you vote for me. There are
serious theological differences, but there’s also too much “them-and-us”. I would seek to promote as
much “us-and-us” as possible. Finally, what follows is a brief idea of what experience and
qualifications I bring:
●​ 13 years of mixed urban (Stockport) and suburban (Chester) parish ministry including, in the
last few years, leading a deprived parish into significant growth and securing major funding
for its historic building;
●​ The last 5 years serving on General Synod and 11 years on Diocesan Synod;
●​ 7 years serving in cross-cultural mission;
●​ 6 years working as a consultant civil engineer in the water/ environment sector;
●​ MTh from Chester (through St John’s Nottingham) and MA MEng from Cambridge.
Many of us may be feeling that the Church of England is increasingly looking like our surrounding
culture rather than constructively and lovingly critiquing it by modelling our Christ-like faith. In
voting for me you will get a generous orthodoxy alongside constructively critical cultural awareness.
Thanks for taking time to read my election statement,

Nominators: ​
Revd. Hennie Johnston (St. Mark’s, Lache-cum-Saltney and Chester Rural Dean)
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Revd. Andy Bull (St. Mark’s, Bredbury and Chadkirk Rural Dean)
If elected or if you have questions before the election I’m very happy to hear from clergy in the
diocese and can be contacted as follows: [email protected] / 0161 4771938

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