General Synod Election Candidates 2026

George Crowder – Election Address
Motivation
I feel called to stand for election to General Synod with the same vision that I have for ministry in the
Church of England: that is for a renewal of biblical faith and faithfulness. I am rejoicing in the signs of
spiritual awakening – the continuing openness of people seeking God for the first time and the deepening
prayerfulness of regular church members. But I long for growing rooted disciples, raising up deployable
vocations, improving accessibility for all and enabling revitalisation of parishes.
Background and ministry
Apart from the four years I spent at theological college, I have always lived within the Diocese of Chester.
I was born in Seacombe and stayed living in the Wallasey area until I left my career as a Civil Engineer. By
then I had become immersed in church life, especially in youth and children’s ministry, and was
encouraged to pursue ordination by many discerning voices.
I have been Rector of Cheadle for just over two years, and I consider it a privilege to be placed at the
helm in such a remarkable parish. As we have seen the Lord at work and sought his leading, we have
discovered a vision that defines how we live rather than sets goals for us to achieve. We are committed to
pray, rest and grow, abiding in Christ. We think this is the best advert for the gospel and find that
newcomers are drawn into our church as we live for Jesus and welcome them.
I love to get alongside people, to reflect on how God is at work in their lives and to explore what God is
calling them to next. For many years, I have committed time and energy to helping men and women grow
in biblical understanding and deepen their theological foundations. This has proved to be a springboard
for discerning new ministries and full-time vocations.
Before Cheadle, I was vicar of St John’s Over in Winsford for thirteen years. This was a very different
setting – a small struggling church in an Urban Priority Area. During my time there I learned a lot about
partnerships with community organisations, schools and local government. I learned about the trials of
managing a large, unwieldy church building with a meagre budget. But, more importantly, I learned how a
normal, ordinary parish could be revitalised through teaching the Bible clearly and caring for individual
church members attentively.
I have been a member of Diocesan Synod for around 15 years. I was part of the Committee for Social
Responsibility, when it existed, and then the Committee for Ministry. More recently I have been involved
in the strategy stream on discipleship, and I currently sit on Bishop’s Council. I have taught theology on
the Curate training programme (IME) as well as in non-Anglican settings and I mentor a number of
younger incumbents. I have also been working with the Larger Churches Network to be more proactive
and supportive in the Diocese.
Values and objectives
Being an evangelical, I hold a traditional view on marriage, but I think some of the actions on both sides
of the current controversy have been unwarranted and the polarisation of the debate has been damaging. I
can't see how the Bible can be interpreted any other way than the current doctrine of the Church of
England, and so I don't believe it can be changed. Nevertheless, I recognise that those who come to a
different viewpoint do so out of Christian convictions and compassion for the marginalised, and so I
think we need to proceed with care for one another.
Though it is both divisive and momentous, I am not convinced that the debate over human sexuality is
the most immediate threat to parish ministry. There continues to be a troubling shortfall in vocations
compared to retirements, and vacancies are taking a long time to fill or are not being filled at all. If there
are not enough ordained ministers to lead churches, the current clergy will become progressively more
stretched, our presence in communities will be reduced, and our witness to Christ in this nation will be
diminished.
In the short-term, clergy find they are more occupied with the crushing inevitability of deficit budgets, the
unrelenting pressure of safeguarding and the increasing pastoral burden of mental health problems.
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For these reasons, there needs to be a high priority for supporting and developing ministry to meet the
demands and opportunities of the future. Many more young vocations need raising up, which means both
seeking God in prayer and inspiring faithfulness in following his call. Ordained ministry requires servant-
hearted leaders with spiritual discernment and emotional resilience. They need to be equipped for
discipling the unchurched, revitalising parishes and perpetuating ministries. Yet, in the meantime we need
to bolster our current clergy with the coaching and administrative support they need to sustain them in the
current challenges of pastoral leadership.
Despite the apparent perils besetting the denomination, I believe that discipleship remains the most
pressing matter for the church. Developing biblical literacy and strengthening doctrinal foundations
inspires Christians in their personal faith and commitment to Jesus. This is the most effective way for
brothers and sisters in Christ to be energised in personal evangelism and opened up to God’s calling on
their lives, whatever tradition they come from. Discipleship is the bedrock for mission and vocations.
In seeking to make disciples we need to remove barriers and build connections, making church accessible
to people with diverse cultural backgrounds and needs. We aim to be present in our communities and
invested in the welfare of the people around us in order to commend the rule of Christ and the kingdom
of God.
This is nothing less than faithful parish ministry, in accordance with historic formularies of the Church of
England. I am seeking to be elected to General Synod because I think this is worth standing for.
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