accountability,ai,biblical,clergy conduct,crime,curacy,discernment,equality,finance,free church,generosity,inclusive,inequality,llf,mental health,mission,poverty

Theresa Morton
Priest in Charge, St Bartholomew, Allens Cross, KNMS Deanery
Let all that you do be done in love. 1 Corinthians 16:14

Nominated by:

     The Revd Dr Al Barrett (Hodge Hill Church)
     The Revd Tracy Browne (St John’s and St Peter’s Ladywood)

Why am I standing for General Synod?
I am passionate about the Church of England and in particular our Diocese. I believe that
the flourishing of clergy and laity, and the fruitfulness of our ministry and mission, are
only possible when underpinned by sound and supportive structures. My genuine
enthusiasm for church governance is underpinned by twenty years’ experience in senior
NHS governance roles and current studies for a Master’s degree in Church Law.

A bit about me…
I grew up in a small free church in rural Oxfordshire, and was attracted to come to study
at the University of Birmingham by the vibrant diversity of the city. After working as a
Mental Health Nurse (an invaluable experience for future ministry) I moved into
Research and Innovation management, leading significant change processes across
Birmingham and the wider West Midlands.
I spent many years actively involved in churches of different denominations and
traditions, giving me a genuine love for the breadth of the Church. Amongst this, I kept
feeling called back to my local parish church where I discerned God’s call to ordained
ministry - quite a surprise having come from a church where women weren’t leaders.
I served my curacy at St Laurence Northfield, being ordained in the first year of Covid
lockdown. Now Priest in Charge in Allens Cross, we are journeying towards having our
own church for the first time in almost thirty years, with all the excitement and
challenges that brings. I am proactive in our Diocese in the following ways:
• Member of Diocesan Synod
• Assistant IME2 Advisor
• Former member of FIPS (Finance,
Investment and Properties
Subcommittee of Bishop’s Council)
• Member of Kings Norton, Mosely and
Shirley Deanery Steering Group
• Oversight Area Convenor
• On-call priest for Birmingham Hospice

From its beginning, my ministry has been one of practical resourcefulness, adaptability
and resilience, throughout which God has always been faithful. These are essential
characteristics at this time when the Church needs to respond to changes in society
whilst staying grounded in God’s Biblical truths.
Theresa is a prayerful person of commitment and integrity.
Her approach is inclusive, energetic, and she’s not afraid to ask
the big questions.

The outer estates context of my
ministry, and my involvement in
issues of food poverty, knife crime
and flags, have given me valuable
insights into the ways in which the
church needs to both respond to,
and influence political debates
around, economic inequality and
national identity. We need to make
space for deep listening
to unheard voices, and
stop being afraid to hand
over our power to those
with lived experience.
I believe we need to be a
church of unity and generosity.
I am keen to hear the views of all clergy in order to
strive for meaningful change in issues that affect our
parishes, chaplaincies, workplaces, schools and other
settings in which we minister. I am committed to
equality for everyone, at every level and in every role
within the Church.
Issues particularly close to my heart in this coming Synod:

It will be a privilege to serve God and the Church as a member of General Synod.
I would be delighted to receive your first preference vote.
Thank you for taking the time to read my statement.
Please do get in touch if you would like to know more: [email protected]
I believe parish ministry is at the heart
of our church; we need to find new ways
to make this sustainable. Serving in a
parish that has no church building gives
me a fairly unique perspective on the
Church of England’s vision to be a
Christian presence in every
community.
The next Synod need to ensure the
new arrangements under the Clergy
Conduct Rules 2026 are fit for
purpose, so that cases are dealt with
promptly and fairly for all concerned.
Following the withdrawal of
the draft National Church
Governance Measure there
remains a pressing need to
ensure the Church’s fragmented
governance arrangements become
streamlined and cohesive, both
nationally and at diocesan level.
This is essential in order to build
trust and accountability both
within and outside the church, and
ensure our precious resources are
used for Kingdom purposes.
There are many unresolved issues
following the formal end of the
LLF programme. Whilst getting
the structures right for ongoing
discernment is essential, this
must not delay taking forward
actions that prevent the current
hurt and confusion from
continuing. We must be united in
our common purpose to love
God and love one another.
How can the Church keep up with AI?
We must take a stand on the moral
and ethical use of tech and ensure
our sacred human values are not lost.