General Synod Election Candidates 2026

Nominated by
Ruth Brewin (NE Lincolnshire Lay Dean)
Seconded by
Muriel Robinson (General Synod 2015-2026)
Introducing myself …
I have lived in Market Deeping with Julie, my wife, for most of my life. Our two adult sons, though living some distance
away, still worship regularly with us in our local parish church.
My faith was awakened while at university and soon led to Reader ministry, in which I have served since 1981. Amongst
much else, it has equipped me as a clear and confident public speaker. I am now a member of the diocese’s Lay Ministry
Board, and a lay canon emeritus of Lincoln Cathedral.
In my career as a Chartered Engineer, I gained senior managerial experience spanning engineering, project leadership,
business strategy and governance. It included a secondment in the USA, where Julie and I lived for five years. While there
we worshipped in the Episcopal Church, in which I was licensed to continue my Reader ministry. I took early retirement 10
years ago, largely so I could apply my skills and experience more fully as a volunteer within the Church.
I have twice been a churchwarden while the parish was in vacancy. A long-standing deanery and diocesan synod member,
I am currently the Diocesan Synod Lay Chair, Lay Dean for The Elloes and, pending the autumn elections, Elloe West
Deanery Lay Chair. I have now served two terms on General Synod. In all these roles I see my primary responsibility as
ensuring the views of the laity are placed at the heart of all
decisions. Holding the roles in combination has been of great
benefit as they help inform one another.
I am a strong advocate for the role of the laity within the life
of the Church. The regular meetings I hold with the deanery
lay chairs and lay deans, covering local, diocesan and national
church matters, supports this, as does my liaison with other
diocesan lay chairs from right across the Church of England.
The experience of church life in my own parish (central / liberal catholic tradition), at university (evangelical) and while in
America (Anglo-Catholic) has given me a deep appreciation of the great richness which comes from the diversity
encompassed within the Church of England and the Anglican Communion. It reflects Jesus’s call to all to follow him. The
universality of that call underlies my commitment to equality for everyone, at all levels and roles within the Church,
regardless of disability, economic power, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, learning disability, mental health, neurodiversity
or sexuality.
I have an aptitude for both “big picture”
strategic work and detail analysis and
particularly enjoy problem resolution,
consensus building and facilitating teams to
achieve challenging objectives. My interests
include travel, DIY, wine, the performing arts
and modern ornamental glass.
“Nigel is an outstanding, highly knowledgeable and
strongly committed representative of the laity. He
combines strong technical expertise on how the Church
of England works with sound judgement. He ensures
the voice of the laity in our diocese is heard loud and
clear and acted upon. I have no hesitation in supporting
Nigel as an excellent candidate.” Ruth Brewin
“I highly commend Nigel as an excellent candidate for General Synod.
Having served with him for the past 11 years, I can vouch for his astute
assessment of proposals and grasp of Synod procedures, his thoughtful
contributions in debate and his awareness at all times of the
implications for our diocese. He is an excellent networker who forms
strong and useful connections across the CofE.” Muriel Robinson
NIGEL
BACON
In seeking re-election to General Synod, I commit to continue:
•
listening to, representing and speaking up for the people, churches and
parishes of our diocese in all their rich variety
•
seeking the Holy Spirit’s guidance through Scripture and prayer
•
participating fully in the Synod, pushing for action and not just words
•
working closely with other members across the full spectrum of opinion
•
communicating and making myself available to speak on Synod matters.

General Synod 2026-31
Matters of vital importance to the future of the Church must be acted upon by the new Synod.
•
To grow, the Church must be bolder in “sharing the joy, beauty and challenge of the Gospel”. (Archbishop of York, July 2026)
•
Almost all dioceses have been weakened financially, with some now in perilous condition and having to cut clergy
posts. The National Funding for Diocesan Ministry workstream needs to deliver pragmatic and transformative
recommendations for improving central support to all dioceses.
•
While the number of ordinands is recovering, it remains below the number of clergy leaving ministry, making it
difficult to fill parish posts even when there is funding (as encountered in our own diocese). Stronger encouragement
and support for ordained and lay vocations is required.
•
The Church’s credibility in the eyes of the public and Parliament hinges on restructuring safeguarding oversight.
•
Parliament’s concerns on safeguarding were a key factor in the withdrawal of the National Church Governance
Measure, which would have greatly simplified and streamlined structures. It must be re-introduced, with necessary
modification, at the earliest opportunity.
•
The Church remains divided on matters of sexuality, equality and inclusion. It is essential that Synod finds a way of
reconciling these sincerely held differences whilst retaining its unity.
•
Trust, both within and of the Church, must be rebuilt, especially in light of safeguarding failures and divisions on
sexuality.
•
The new Mission and Pastoral Measure must complete its journey into legislation, bringing much needed cost and
time savings and strengthening the centrality of parishes within the life of the Church.
•
Climate change is imperilling Creation. More funding support for PCCs and church schools is required if the Church is
to succeed in its drive towards carbon net zero.
•
Synod must continue to engage with issues of social injustice which form such a stain on our national life.
•
Through all this and more, Synod must ensure significant improvement in the life and witness of parish churches of all
traditions, sizes and locations, enabling them to be the living presence of Christ in the communities they serve.
In all matters, I will work with others to ensure the hopes and concerns of the people of our diocese are represented in
General Synod, both strongly and with balance, with the aim of having a thriving Church throughout Greater Lincolnshire.
General Synod Experience
In the last 5 years on General Synod I have:
•
Attended every session, and participated in every vote.
•
Spoken frequently in debates (often being amongst the first to be called), and regularly tabled questions, spanning
topics such as lay ministry, ordinand candidates, working class vocations, same sex relationships, safeguarding,
governance, trust, Synod conduct, stipends, central costs, diocesan financing, and investment policy.
•
Been instrumental in improving legislation and synod resolutions in areas including simplification/removal of church
bureaucracy, safeguarding, fees and the appointment of bishops.
•
Kept myself well informed of national church issues through reading of the extensive Synod papers, participating in
fringe meetings, networking with other Synod members, etc..
•
Used my position as diocesan lay chair to provide a strong two-way link between our diocese and General Synod.
•
Led the Lincoln members’ meetings to share insights and help us represent the diocese’s interests to best effect.
I chair the Revision Committee for the new draft Mission and Pastoral Measure and Regulations (arguably the most
extensive piece of Church legislation in over a decade), and have previously served on revision committees covering
diocesan finances and governance. I am currently a member of the National Funding for Diocesan Ministry Reference
Group. I also chair the Open Synod Group, which fosters links among people with diverse theological understandings.
Thank you for reading my election address. Please support me by giving me your first or highest
possible preference vote. Please also support the other candidates who hold a similar position.
If you wish to contact me, I will be very happy to speak with you.
Nigel Bacon
10 The Meadows, Market Deeping, Peterborough PE6 8PE [email protected]
07879473278

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