General Synod Election Candidates 2026

Fr Nicholas Johnson
Vicar of Saint John the Baptist, Tuebrook
Proposed by
The Revd Emma Williams,
Christ our Hope, Liverpool & Chair of the DAC
Seconded by
The Revd Canon Malcolm Rogers MBE,
Vicar of Huyton Quarry, Area Dean of Huyton,
Bishop of Liverpool’s Canon for Reconciliation
Why I am standing
I believe passionately in the future of the Church of
England and her role in showing the love of God in
Christ to our nation.
I love parochial ministry here in Tuebrook and
believe such ministry remains the best way for us
to reach the people in our communities. The
parish system is not finished!
I believe the Church needs a defined, visible
presence in every community, with one priest per
parish wherever possible. We should be more
confident in what we have received. We do not
need ever more bureaucracy, novel ministry
structures, and more management.
We need to make better use of what we have been given, and value our parishes,
clergy, and laity, so that our Church can get back on to the mission field and
evangelise our nation.
What I would bring to the General Synod
I am a parish priest in one of the most deprived parishes in our Diocese. Our parish has a full
and busy worshipping life, with an important heritage building and other buildings used for
outreach and service. I have also had parochial experience in the Diocese of Manchester.
In Liverpool, I have served on Deanery Synod, the Deanery Mission and Pastoral Committee,
Diocesan Synod, and the Bishop’s Council, frequently contributing to debates and to work on
the Parish Share and the DAC Constitution. In particular, I stood firm in my determination
to uphold the rights of parishes as Fit for Mission was rolled out. It was not right for my
parish, so I sought to ensure that parishes could opt out. At the same time, I recognised that
many would choose to take part and sought to use my skills and knowledge to improve it for
them. I would approach my work in General Synod in a similar way.
I remain involved with the Prayer Book Society and its national outreach through the
Cranmer Awards. I have worked with people from all traditions, seeking the flourishing of
all.
Before ordination, I worked in law and am a Master of Laws in Canon Law. I bring this legal
and canonical knowledge to my ministry and Diocesan work, seeking to use it to ensure that
documents and programmes work properly for the good of all.

What Matters to Me
The Parish as Centre of Mission

Parochial ministry must be properly
supported with national resources used
sensibly to strengthen our existing parochial
structure, alongside more equitable support
for poorer Dioceses such as our own.
For most people, the Church is experienced
through their parish priest praying, visiting,
baptising, marrying, and burying.
All of this is mission.
Safeguarding
After repeated and distressing revelations of
past failures, we need to win back trust.
Safeguarding must protect all God’s people
and make our Church a safe and godly place
for everyone. Processes should be clear,
accessible, straightforward, and embedded
at every level.
Enabling the Flourishing of All
Our clergy need time for prayer, visiting,
worship, and mission. Much of priestly
ministry cannot be measured and too often
monitoring, ‘accountability,’ and meetings
get in the way. Are all such meetings
necessary? The answer is no.

Our volunteers also carry considerable
burdens and deserve a rigorous focus on
what administration is genuinely necessary.
Confidence in Christ and
Fidelity to our Inheritance
The Church often seems more preoccupied
with structures and programmes than with
proclaiming Christ. Our nation is hungry
for Him, even if many do not yet realise it.
We should be bold in proclaiming Christian
truth and the moral imperatives which
derive from it. We have been admirably
strong in opposing assisted suicide, but
should also be confident in explaining the
Christian reasons for our position.

The Church should remain faithful to the
understanding of marriage set out in Canon
B30 and the Book of Common Prayer, and I
would oppose any change to this Canon. I
recognise the increasingly broad range of
views within our Church, and the need to
approach this subject with charity and
honesty.
In Summary
I am a parish priest in a poor community
who loves the Church of England dearly and
believes that she still has a vital role to play
in our nation.
I would bring my parochial experience, legal
training and knowledge to General Synod to
help our Church fulfil that role by
supporting parishes, confidently
proclaiming Christ, and ensuring a safe
environment in which all can flourish.
I would be grateful for your first preference
vote, or for as high a preference as you feel
able to give me.
The Reverend Nicholas R Johnson
685 West Derby Road, Tuebrook, L13 0BH
[email protected]
07817912245
The Revd
Emma Williams:
'It is my delight to
nominate Fr Nicholas
today for General Synod.
Fr Nicholas is a man of
deep faith, committed
values and extensive
knowledge of church law.
His ministry is rooted in
the flourishing of the
urban poor, making sure
their voice is heard at the
table to which they have
an equal right to sit.'
The Revd Canon
Malcolm Rogers MBE:
"I'm very happy indeed to
support Fr Nicholas'
nomination for General
Synod as I have
witnessed on many
occasions his
determination and
significant ability to
ensure robust discussion
of important matters and
proper decision making.
He has an eye for detail,
an appreciation of church
history and a command
of canon law which is
invaluable locally and
would surely be an asset
in the forums and bodies
of the national church.”
What Others Say

accountability,assisted suicide,baptist,book of common prayer,canon law,canonical,dioceses,environment,evangelise,fidelity,marriage,mission,ordination,outreach,parish share,prayer,prayer book society,safeguarding