General Synod Election Candidates 2026

REVD OLIVER STRANGE
Candidate for House of Clergy

The Rectory
Broadwell
Moreton-in-Marsh
GL56 0TU

01451 798537
[email protected]

I am excited to put myself forward to represent you and the Diocese of Gloucester at
General Synod. I am the vicar of a multi-parish benefice in the North Cotswolds and
also serve on Diocesan Synod.

I have an eclectic background: I grew up in a rural Church in Wales setting, have
experience of Eastern Orthodoxy, worshipped for a time in more catholic Anglican
churches in Oxford, and ministered in a larger gathered-church context before coming
to my present role in rural parish ministry. That breadth of experience has given me a
deep appreciation of the richness and variety of the Church of England, and makes me
keen to serve the diocese and the whole Church at General Synod.

• Key Priorities -

• Ministry First – As the new Synod considers future funding and governance, I
would love our structures, spending and strategies to prioritise the Church’s
people-facing ministry: proclaiming Jesus, making disciples, nurturing the faithful
and serving our communities. We should ask how national resources can best
sustain and grow the ministry of clergy and lay people, reduce unnecessary
administrative burdens, and release clergy to spend more of their time doing
what they were called and ordained to do.

• Nurturing Vocations – I would love to see the Church think deeply about
what is currently working and not working in this area, whether the vocation is
to ordained or lay ministry. Recent Synod work on working-class vocations is
an important part of this. At the same time, I believe improved access must go
hand in hand with serious formation: grounding ministers deeply in Scripture
and Christian doctrine, and equipping them to preach, teach and pastor with
confidence.

• Facing the Future – Rapid developments in AI and digital technology raise
profound questions about human dignity, truth, creativity, work and social
cohesion, while social media increasingly rewards outrage, suspicion and
fragmentation. As Synod continues its work on AI, digital communication and
national unity, I would like to see the Church face these challenges with a well-
informed Christian worldview, enabling us to stay ahead of the curve and not
behind it!

• Relationships, Sexuality and Marriage – Questions clearly remain for the
next Synod about the future of the Prayers of Love and Faith; I am keen to
address these from a place of commitment to the Church of England’s doctrine
of marriage as set out in Canon B 30, upholding that teaching clearly and
faithfully, while listening carefully, speaking charitably and seeking a respectful
way forward.

Because my own Christian life and ministry have never fitted neatly into a single mould,
I hope to bring to General Synod a willingness to listen across traditions, understand
where others are coming from, and offer a gracious but challenging voice that reflects
both the concerns and the strengths of the Diocese of Gloucester.
Therefore, please do entrust me with your first-preference vote, or with your second-
or even third-preference vote if you like!

• More About Me -

I grew up in Wales and studied Russian at university, living in Russia for a year after
that. I then worked in a jewellery shop before training to be a primary school teacher.
I began to take my faith seriously while living in Oxford, and after a period of
discernment trained for the ministry.

I live in the village of Broadwell with my wife and small rescue dog. I love going for
walks in the local area as well as back in Wales. I enjoy languages and am currently
learning a bit of Japanese. Other interests include amateur philosophy, following
baseball and American football, and a little bit of DJing.

Nominated by Gareth Griffith, Moreton Vale Benefice
Seconded by Joe Knight, Transitional Minister
Newnham, Awre & Blakeney, and Parkend & Viney Hill

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