General Synod Election Candidates 2026

Proposer: Shaun Morris
Vicar of St. Matthias Hanford
Rural Dean of Stoke-on-Trent
Seconder: David Sims
Vicar of St. Thomas Aldridge
The TikTok Vicar
A number of colleagues and friends
across a variety of church traditions
have encouraged me to stand this year
for General Synod as a fresh voice.
I am a member of Diocesan Synod
and I have eighteen years' experience
as the parish priest of a very deprived
part of the city of Stoke-on-Trent.
I believe I can bring the insights and
needs of the local church to the national
forum. I am someone who listens and
works with others.
As Chair of Trustees of our CofE primary
school, I've navigated DfE legisla/on
and governance in detail — skills I'd
bring directly to General Synod.

I am a Yorkshireman and now
adopted 'Stokie', having served as
Vicar of Goldenhill and Tunstall in
The Potteries since 2008.
Both those from Stoke-on-Trent and
Yorkshire are plain speaking and are
not afraid of saying how things are.
I also have a good sense of humour
and at 47 I am still, apparently, a
'youngish' member of the clergy!
I have been ordained for 21 years
and am now the longest-serving
priest in our deanery.
I bring experience – but also many
years of parish ministry still ahead.
I am married with three children,
we have two cats and enjoy holidays
in Anglesey, pottering in the garden,
cooking, infusing various things in
gin and looking for a bargain.
Vicar of Goldenhill and Tunstall
Stoke-on-Trent

A strong voice for parish clergy and parish ministry

Same Sex Relationships
Safeguarding

Parish Ministry
Clergy Wellbeing
Dra Mission and
Pastoral Measure

Church Finances
While parishes have worked hard to
Clergy wellbeing must be taken seriously.
The 2025 Living Ministry survey found
symptoms of depression among 29% of active
clergy and 35% of incumbents, while 40%
experience chronic loneliness. We need
realistic workloads, properly resourced parish
ministry and structures which allow priests to
be pastors rather than administrators.
embed good safeguarding practice, the national
Church has too oen failed to get it right. We
need arrangements that are robust, properly
resourced, transparent and accountable, putting
victims and survivors first, with independent
oversight. Safeguarding is not simply about
procedures; it is fundamental to our Christian
responsibility for one another.
sexuality and gender will continue to be
significant in the next Synod. As the Church
continues to debate these questions, I am
committed to ensuring all sides are heard with
generosity, dignity and pastoral care. My own
position is to uphold the Church’s received
biblical teaching that marriage is the lifelong
union of one man and one woman, and I will
represent that view with theological clarity
and integrity as the debate continues.
The parish system must remain at

the heart of the Church of England.
As parishes are grouped into ever larger
structures, we must protect the relationship
between priest, people and place.
My commitment is rooted in a Catholic
understanding of the cure of souls and eighteen
years' ministry in an area of significant
deprivation. I will argue for properly resourced,
locally rooted parish ministry which enables
mission & growth, evangelism & discipleship.
The new Mission and Pastoral Measure must
protect the voice of parishioners when
reorganisation or church closure is proposed.
Meaningful rights of representation and appeal
must remain, with a fair process for local people
who lack the professional resources available to
larger institutions. Reorganisation must be
done with parishes, not to them.

I will argue for greater transparency and
resources directed towards sustaining parish
ministry where the need is greatest.
Thank you for reading my election address.

I hope you will consider giving me your support and your first preference vote.

I cannot promise always to agree with you – but I can promise to listen, speak
plainly and represent the concerns of the clergy of this diocese.

Please pray for me and for all those standing for election.

With every blessing,

[email protected]
07776 436522
Questions around relationships,
A strong voice for parish clergy
and parish ministry

More of the Church’s considerable

resources should reach the parishes
where ministry happens. Funding intended for
poorer communities must reach them, while
strategic investment should support established
parish ministry as well as new initiatives.

biblical,catholic,clergy wellbeing,depression,discipleship,evangelism,finances,generosity,loneliness,marriage,mission,safeguarding,same sex,same-sex relationships,sexuality,survivors,transparency,victims