General Synod Election Candidates 2026

NEIL LOGAN GREEN

CANDIDATE FOR THE HOUSE OF LAITY

GENERAL SYNOD 2026
DIOCESE OF ST EDMUNDSBURY & IPSWICH

Proposed by Patricia Ford | Seconded by Professor Michael Brown

Dear Friends,

We are entering a period of enormous change for our Church. The next General Synod will be asked to make decisions that will shape the life and witness of the Church of England for years to come.

The last Synod devoted a great deal of time to a small number of key issues – several of which remain unresolved – while the everyday struggles of our parishes too often received less attention. That leaves ordinary lay people needing clear, generous and independent voices to speak up for the largely silent majority.

I am standing because I believe our parishes must be put first. They are where the Gospel is lived out, where people encounter the Church, and where Christian love is shown in our communities.

WHAT I HEAR FROM OUR PARISHES

I have heard the same concerns again and again from friends across rural Suffolk and central Ipswich – from parishes doing their best with too little:

We cannot meet our Parish Share.
We cannot afford to heat our church.
We have no minister – or one priest is trying to serve too many churches.
We need a curate or youth worker.
We cannot afford new, eco-friendly heating.
Why isn't safeguarding independent?
Why can't our clergy be paid a living wage?
Why are pensions for retired clergy so poor?
Surely we need more training posts.

These are not peripheral issues. They affect the very ability of the Church of England to be present, worshipping and serving in every community across this country.

RESOURCES FOR MISSION

The Church of England is not without resources. The question is how those resources are used.

According to Save the Parish, there are now 6,295 full-time stipendiary parish clergy – a fall of 28% since 2000 – while only around 8% of the Church Commissioners' planned annual distribution is ring-fenced for parish ministry.

We must ask whether enough of our considerable historic assets are reaching the frontline of ministry. Parishes should have greater freedom to use their resources for the mission they understand their communities need.

Our parishes are best placed to know their people and their communities. We should trust them.

SUPPORTING OUR CLERGY AND PARISHES

Clergy are asked to shoulder workloads that would be considered unreasonable in almost any other profession. We must protect stipendiary posts, seek manageable benefices, and ensure that priests have the time to be priests: to preach, teach, pastor, visit, and build Christian communities.

A Church that does not care for its clergy cannot care for its people.

SAFEGUARDING – A PRIORITY

There is another question on which the next Synod must not lose focus: when are we finally going to fix safeguarding?

We must learn from failings, listen to survivors, and ensure that our safeguarding structures are independent, credible and truly protect the vulnerable. This cannot become another institutional argument – it is a matter of justice, transparency and Christian love.

HOW I WILL SERVE

I do not want to go to General Synod simply to add another voice to an already crowded debate. I promise to be:

Constructive – asking practical questions and seeking workable solutions.
Independent – shaped by conscience, Scripture and the needs of our parishes.
Collaborative – listening across traditions and views, working for the common good.
Courageous – prepared to speak up when our parishes, clergy or congregations are overlooked.

I will ask at every turn: Is this helping our parishes? Will this give clergy more time for ministry? Will this help us bring people to Christ? Are we using the Church's resources where they can do the most good? And are we listening to the people doing the work on the ground?

MY RECORD OF SERVICE IN THE CHURCH

Member of both the Catholic and Evangelical groups in the last General Synod – a privilege and a great joy.
Served on General Synod committees, including the visionary Save the Parish group.
Member of Diocesan Synod, and back on it now.
Active member of Deanery Synod – a powerhouse of great people making quiet, lasting contributions.
Member of the Legal Aid Board.
Member of the Fellowship of St John – handing out gifts and grants.
Active supporter of Tariro – helping young people in Zimbabwe.
Like many of you, committed to working with Christians of all traditions for the Gospel's sake.

A VISION FOR OUR CHURCH

The parish is where most people encounter the Church of England – at a baptism, a wedding or a funeral; at Christmas and Easter; through a food bank, a choir or a youth group; when somebody is lonely, frightened, bereaved or searching for meaning.

If we allow that presence to diminish, it will be extraordinarily difficult to rebuild.

I am standing for General Synod because I want us to invest in it instead.

I would therefore be very grateful for your first, or a high preference, vote in this election.

A personal apology

I know that we have all been invited to the forthcoming hustings. I am sorry that I will not be able to attend, as I will be in Italy with my daughters and grandson.

I would be delighted to speak personally with any elector who would like to ask me about my candidacy or my views. Please do contact me by telephone or email using the details below.

ABOUT ME

I have the great joy of living in beautiful Woodbridge, where we are blessed with a strong and varied Christian community. I came here after the death of my wife at a young age. I am a lawyer by profession, with two wonderful daughters, both professional young women, and a tiny grandson.

My parish at St Mary's, Woodbridge is a sea-change from the incredibly poor parish I served previously in Canterbury. This experience has shaped my conviction that resources and support must reach the parishes that need them most.

[email protected] | +44 7949 040265 | Woodbridge, Suffolk

Save the Parish Network, The Parish in Numbers 2026.

baptism,catholic,church commissioners,evangelical,food bank,gospel,justice,living wage,mission,parish share,safeguarding,save the parish,scripture,stipendiary,survivors,transparency,witness,young people,youth,youth group,youth worker