General Synod Election Candidates 2026

THE REVD PREB DR CHRIS MOORE

WHO AM I, AND WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO ME?

I am the Rector of the Fownhope Benefice, a rural

multi-parish incumbency, where I have been since

1. I have served as Rural Dean of both Hereford

and Ledbury deaneries, and I am vice-chair of the
Diocesan Board of Finance, chair of the Diocesan
Property Team, and a member of Bishop’s Council. I
am an Assistant Diocesan Director of Ordinands,

and regularly teach on the Cathedral’s Life and

Learning Programme.

I am married to Mary, and we have five sons who are spread across the country from

Aberdeen to Pontypridd to Godalming, two of whom are ordinands.

Over my ministry in the diocese, I have developed deep and enduring wells of affection for
its people, its clergy and its rich, embedded pattern of ministry. I believe in Rural Ministry,

and have found it to be deeply rewarding.

Iam committed to building relationships across the breadth of Christian traditions. I chair the
Fellowship of St Alban and St Sergius, a charity in association with Churches Together in
England. Through this, I have facilitated dialogue between Eastern Orthodox, Roman
Catholics, Oriental Orthodox, Anglican, Methodists, and Pentecostal Christians. This
experience has helped me work fruitfully and respectfully across the various traditions that

exist within the Church of England to identify areas of agreement.

Fundamentally, I am a parish priest, and my real joy is in helping people grow in their faith,
whether as new Christians or old. I take the cure of souls seriously, and seek to be the strongest
Christian presence in the parishes that I can be. It is my main aim to share my faith and bring

people to Christ.

THE LAST FIVE YEARS
In 2021, you were kind enough to elect me to represent you at General Synod, and I thought

it would be helpful to give you an idea of what I have done on your behalf.

Stipends and Pensions. I was elected from General Synod to the Archbishops’ Council
Finance Committee (ACFC), which oversees some £250m of annual expenditure. This is a key
decision-making body in the Church of England, and as the only parish priest on the
committee, I have the opportunity to stand up for the work which we do. I was engaged in

the process which resulted in a rise in stipends and pensions.

Diocesan Funding. As a member of the ACFC, I worked on the settlement which increased

the money given to the Lowest Income Communities. I sit on the National Funding for

Diocesan Ministry Steering Group, which is overseeing the renegotiation of the funding which
dioceses receive from the Church Commissioners. This Group arose from the Hereford
Motion, and I use my voice to contend for the future funding of rural ministry.

The Housing Project. I sit on the Oversight Panel of the national church’s Housing Project,
which supports dioceses and parishes in addressing the housing crisis through developments
on church land. I also chair the project’s Grant Committee.

Clergy Wellbeing. I have used what opportunities I have had to stand up for clergy wellbeing.
My comments on this have been reported on in the national press, and it remains a strong

focus for me.

LOOKING AHEAD

There is unfinished business in many areas. Stipends and pensions have improved somewhat,
but retirement housing remains inadequate, and I want to keep pressing the ACFC on this
issue. The renegotiation of Church Commissioners’ funding to dioceses is now at a critical
stage, and rural dioceses like ours tend to suffer from models with an urban focus. I believe
funding decisions are best made as close to the ground as possible, and I intend to keep
making that case. Clergy wellbeing remains an issue, which I strive to keep on the national

agenda.

WHERE DOI STAND ON ISSUES?

I am doctrinally minded, and my instincts are traditional. Out of conviction, I voted against
the LLF proposals brought by the House of Bishops. I know not everyone in this diocese shares
that view, but I do hope my track record means you can trust me to represent all our clergy,
whatever their view on that question. I am not interested in fighting tribal battles, but in
representing the diocese. I remain a strong believer in the parish system.

LEND ME YOUR VOTE!

The benefit of the General Synod voting system is that you can rank candidates. If you would
rather vote for someone else, I do hope you might be able to have me as your second choice. I
serve as the lone parish priest on several national committees, and am keen to continue that

work and represent us in the places where decisions are made.

Please do feel free to contact me if there is anything you'd like to discuss: 07552 397455 or

[email protected].
Nominated by:

e The Revd Preb Ashley Buck, Rector, Cleobury Mortimer
e The Revd Preb Kelvin Price, Rector, Ross-on-Wye

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