disciple,disciples,discipling,gospel,mission,young people,youth,youth ministry

Claire Bateman

A Passion for Jesus. Practical experience. Ready to serve.

lam in my mid-30s, married to Tim, a Vicar, and mum to three children
aged 5, 6 and 9. We live in Farnborough, and | would be delighted to serve
the Diocese of Guildford in the House of Laity at General Synod.

Why am | standing?
I’m standing because | love Jesus, | love the Church, and | believe the

Church of England has an exciting future. Over the last decade | have

worshipped and served in three very different churches: a city-centre church, an inner-city estate
church and now a parish church in Farnborough. | am currently Operations Manager for SOMA, an
Anglican mission agency, and previously worked as the Health and Safety Manager for a local
authority. | would bring to Synod the perspective of someone who has experienced different church
contexts alongside the practical skills of a professional problem-solver: someone used to managing
risk and getting things done well. | am curious, practical and willing to challenge. | listen carefully
and am happy to change my mind when there is a better answer.

My three priorities

Jesus: | want to see more people meet Jesus, follow Jesus and be transformed by Jesus.

| became a Christian in my late teens, and Jesus has been moulding, refining and challenging me
ever since — with plenty more work still to do! | want to see the Church of England confident in the
gospel and equipped to share it. We need churches that are not afraid to invite people in, go out to
their communities and make lifelong disciples. As a mum in my 30’s, | would bring particular
experience of reaching and discipling younger adults and families.

People: Our buildings, people and resources give us an extraordinary opportunity to be a force

for good — and to introduce people to Jesus along the way.

Having lived in and served in inner-city Birmingham, | have seen the difference a church can make
when it becomes a genuine hub of its community. | was involved in setting up a new parent group
during COVID, ran a CAP Job Club and served in a community café. These weren't simply
programmes; they were opportunities to build relationships, serve people and share the love of
Jesus. | want to encourage churches to look outward: to listen to their communities, respond to real
needs and build relationships beyond the Sunday congregation.

Under 18’s: If we want a flourishing Church, we need to invest in children and young people.

| want to see churches full of children and young people who are excited about Jesus, growing in
faith and discovering the gifts God has given them. Having served in children’s and youth ministry, |
know both the joys and the practical realities. Churches need to be equipped and resourced to
disciple young people well — and young people need to be given opportunities to step out in their
faith, serve and lead.

Why vote for me?

| would bring energy, practical experience and a willingness to listen. | will ask good questions,
engage constructively, work hard and seek to keep the local church and the mission of Jesus at the
heart of everything | do.

Please consider giving me your first-choice vote for the House of Laity.