General Synod Election Candidates 2026

Dominic Doble Electoral Address for General Synod
Member of House of Clergy Diocesan Synod
Rural Dean Waveney and Blyth
Team Rector Blyth Valley
Thank you for taking the time to read my address.
Should I be elected I would speak up predominantly for the inestimable worth of our local
rural churches. I would seek to honestly present the aspirations and challenges of their
communities - praying and otherwise. These include, but are not limited to, clergy pay and
recruitment; finance from central church and government - primarily in relation to building
maintenance and improvement; local implications of the wealth and management of land
held by Church Commissioners; the Safeguarding record of central church; and the impact
of Church Representation Rules, Safeguarding and other legislation.
The constant faithfulness of rural Christendom has been argued to be the backbone of the
Church of England. That we are enough is a lesson that could be learned from that
foundation by the London bubble. Doing what we do, the way we do it is reassuringly
expected. Attenders at happy hours, Tot's groups, Christmas and for funerals expect
pews, welcome and attentive ministers. There is no need to panic!
In a time of insecurity in economics, environment and society, people respond being drawn
to the sanctuary offered by stones - living and otherwise - as we preach belonging, place,
resilience, authenticity and faith. People turn up, lives are changed, new ministries are
born.
General Synod might do well to re-discover a prophetic radical role of loving diversity as a
benchmark. It could prove strength in that breadth to other national institutions that have
accepted the fragility of acceptability. It could seek to pioneer ethics of Artificial
Intelligence and care for creation. It could stand in solidarity with the abused, manipulated
and excluded with an unashamed upholding of self-worth. Coming up to date with how
relationships generally work, or don't, Synod could assert doctrinal space for the right to
covenantal expression of love in any of our churches. Expecting that to be locally decided.
It should speak against hate, injustice and untruth.
My experience comes from fifteen years of rural multi-parish ministry, built on a previous
career of countryside land management with councils and charities. I've a Rural Resource
Management MSc from Bangor and a Post Graduate Certificate in Christian Approaches to
Leadership from Sarum College. I am married with a cat and a dog. I enjoy walking,
boating, music, food, and all the ministry rural Suffolk offers.
All this would be presented with the sense of humour that derives from leading fourteen
parishes. I was hired to run a rolling program of closure, but they are flourishing.
[email protected]
07743 554955

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