General Synod Election Candidates 2026

Joel Plant
Proposed by: Shayne Ardron (General Synod, National
Litturgical Commission, Bishop’s Council & Advisory Forum
Seconded by: Stephen Adshead (Diocesan Lay Chair,
Trustee - Diocese of Leicester, Trustee - Diocesan Board of
Education, Bishop’s Council & Advisory Forum
General Synod Candidate
In a nutshell...
I am a firmly inclusive candidate, who has served the church extensively, and has rich
experience across church governance. This experience includes General Synod, where I have
spoken about both substance and technical elements of motions during debates, as well as
Diocesan Synod, and Bishop’s Council. My life experience gives me insight across city and
rural contexts, for lay people and the clergy who serve them.
About me...
Now aged 25, I am Leicester born and raised, having lived and attended church within the city
and county. My central vocation is work involving mental health. I have studied Psychology
BSc (De Montfort) and Mental Health MSc (Uni of Nottingham), and plan to complete a PhD.
My aim is to improve people’s wellbeing; to this end I am particularly interested in OCD and
neurodiversity and their relationship with the church.
I have served the local church extensively. At parish level, this work includes supporting
children’s and youth ministry, additional needs provision, a social enterprise and a food bank.
And at diocesan level, I have served on Bishop’s Youth Council, Bishop’s Council, Bishop’s
Advisory Forum, the Disability Advisory Group and Diocesan Synod. A notable achievement
is my diocesan synod PMM calling for divestment from Barclay’s bank - which was carried.
Each of these experiences demonstrate my rich understanding of church-based
organisational leadership across the varied lenses: mission, motions, stratergy, and finance.
Importantly, I have experience of General Synod which is invaluable given the novelty and
intensity of the space. During my time as a young adult member, I have shown the ability to
engage by addressing General Synod four times (the most of my cohort), as well as
networking and leading peripheral ‘fringe’ events. My speech topics have been varied,
including thoughts about national stratergy, reflections upon neurodiversity and mental
health inclusion (separately), and a procedural point about the wording of an amendment.
Together, I think these contributions show that, if elected, I would be a rounded and valuable
member of General Synod.
On top of this experience of life as a lay church member, which will allow me to represent you
effectively, I am the son and brother of clergy. As a result, I share an understanding of how
the Church supports, and can support its clergy to help sustain ministry well.

Contact me!
If you have questions for me regarding my candidacy,
please do not hesitate to get in touch!
07398 102428
[email protected] (<-- Click to email me!)
My policy summary:
Passionate about inclusivity in
all areas
Supporter of missional outreach
Believer in clergy and their place
in communities
Calling for robust safeguarding
and church safeguarding reform
Advocate for climate and
ecological care by the the CofE
and Church Commissioners
Backer of Project Spire
Desire to work across difference
to deliver
What I believe...
Looking at Jesus’ example, I recognise that worship and
social justice are inseparable. I am passionate about
church spaces remaining places of sanctuary amongst the
trials and tribulations communities face; but recognise
that as society changes the Church can offer new ways of
doing things to complement the old. One complementary
aspect of the church is its social care provision, which I
commit to championing at national level.
As someone who is passionate about the entirety of God’s
creation, I believe that all should be included and
empowered to participate in the church. Therefore, I am
committed to equality for everyone, across church
contexts,
regardless
of
disability,
economic
power,
ethnicity, sex, gender identity, learning disability, mental
health,
neurodiversity,
or
sexuality.
Additionally,
I
recognise that safeguarding will be a significant theme
across the next quinquennium. If elected, I will be a
passionate and thoughtful representative to promote
safety in the Church, as well as the provision of justice
where safety lapses. Furthermore, I am committed to the
support of Project Spire, which represents the delivery of
social justice in paying slavery reparations to those whose
persecution selfishly and wrongly benefitted the Church.
Creation care is not complete without love for the
environment. I believe that the Church can play a role in
reducing the effects of climate change and habitat
destruction
through
responsible
investment
and
engagement with tenant farmers and will speak/vote in
favour of this. I will continue to support decarbonisation
efforts too.
I hold these beliefs and values with humility and commit
to listening and conversing well where difference exists,
as well as reading about and engaging with issues across
the broad spectrum Synod is responsible for, as opposed
to focusing on just one issue.
Your vote matters!
Thank you for reading my
electoral statement, and for
all you do to serve our Church.
I hope you will give me your
first preference vote. If this is
committed
elsewhere,
your
highest
alternative
will
be
crucial and much appreciated!
“Joel is dedicated to all he
does and is a valued member
of our diocese, this is reflected
in his time on General Synod,
where he has been an active
member,
speaking
wisdom
into complex debates. I have
every
confidence
he
will
continue
to
play
an
outstanding role on synod and
represent the rich diversity of
our diocese if elected to
represent you.”
Rev. Clive Watts (Leicester
Clergy GS member)

church commissioners,climate change,creation care,diocesan board,disability,environment,equality,farmers,finance,food bank,gender identity,inclusive,justice,mental health,mission,missional,neurodiversity,outreach,persecution,project spire,reparations,safeguarding,sexuality,social justice,youth,youth ministry