General Synod Election Candidates 2026

General Synod Election Address 2026

Candidate: Debra Walker (Pauline Debra Walker)
Proposer: Jean Cropper
Seconder: Geoff Almond

Dear Electors
I have been privileged to serve on General Synod since 2010 and am seeking re-election. General Synod
plays an important and influential role in the life of our church and I have set out below some of my beliefs
concerning matters of faith and topical issues. I would be grateful for your continued support and your first-
preference vote.

Mission and Parish Life
Mission is fundamental to the Church’s identity and purpose. It belongs at every level of Church life, from
individual Christians and local congregations to our national and international witness. I believe that
everything debated at General Synod ultimately has implications for mission. Whatever the issue for debate,
consideration should be given to: ‘How will this help us make disciples?’, ‘How will this strengthen and
sustain our Christian communities?’ Alongside the wider issues considered by Synod, I am conscious of the
very real challenges facing our local churches and parishes. I will seek to ensure that those local voices and
concerns are heard in national discussions, and seek to support decisions that enable our parishes to flourish
and sustain a Christian presence in every community.

Leadership and Ministry
I believe that God calls many different types of people to serve him in different ways. Effective leadership is
important for any organisation and our local churches are no different. Strong leadership comes in many
forms and as we face a decline in clergy numbers, a strengthening of leadership is required at all levels, both
ordained and lay. I would like to see local church communities intentionally discerning and recognising the
gifts of individuals, providing appropriate support and training, and empowering people to use their gifts and
skills effectively to serve their communities and further the Kingdom of God.

A Church For All
Jesus called all people to follow him. This is a demanding challenge for the Church, but one we must
embrace. For Liverpool Diocese, being a Church for all encompasses sustaining a Christian presence in
every community, including those facing the greatest social and economic challenges. Our ability to fulfil
that commitment is currently supported by national Church funding, including financial allocations
specifically intended for our lowest-income communities. This funding is particularly important in a Diocese
serving communities with some of the highest levels of disadvantage in the country and which, unlike some
other dioceses, does not have the financial resilience afforded by significant historical assets. I see this
continued central Church funding as being vital to sustaining a meaningful Christian presence across our
Diocese, enabling us to remain present, active and serving in every parish and every community. Similarly,
the Church must respond to the reality of modern Britain, with its rich diversity of race, ability, age,
sexuality, culture and social background. I believe in a Church that welcomes and serves all people. To
become that Church, we must be willing to make the changes needed to remove barriers to participation and
belonging — whether those barriers are physical or structural, or found in our attitudes, culture and ways of
working. The Church itself must also learn to live well with difference. I don’t have all the answers, and
there will inevitably be difficult conversations that call for generosity of spirit. I am committed to
approaching those conversations with love, prayer, respect, trust and forgiveness, seeking ways to move
forward together even where we may not always agree.

Church Schools and Young People
Liverpool has 119 Church schools, serving nearly 35,000 pupils. I am a strong supporter of Church schools
and serve as Vice-Chair of Governors at my local Church primary school. I believe our schools should not
only provide an excellent education, but also offer an environment in which young people can encounter
Jesus, develop the confidence and resilience to navigate the uncertainties of life, and build foundations for a
lifetime of Christian faith and discipleship. I am committed to growing a younger Church and to
strengthening our ministry with children and young people across our parishes, youth hubs and wider

initiatives. I am particularly supportive of our annual Diocesan youth pilgrimage, where I have the privilege
of serving as a leader. Young people are not simply the Church of tomorrow; they are a vital part of the
Church today. We need to listen to their voices, encourage their gifts and create opportunities for them to
participate fully in the life and mission of the Church. In doing so, they will help shape our shared ambition
to become a younger and more diverse Church — and the Church God is calling us to be.

Safeguarding
A number of shameful examples of unacceptable behaviour and poor safeguarding governance within the
Church have been reported by the national press/media and our objective of being ‘a church for all’ cannot
become a reality until the need for rigorous safeguarding is addressed at all levels. In recent times we have
seen some commendable work carried out at parish level, and our parish safeguarding officers have been key
to this change in culture. However, the Church still has a long way to go to embed this culture change at all
levels. This change will require transparent pathways of accountability, a readiness to listen to victims and
survivors, and processes that can be seen to be fair and to be trusted. I will pursue these changes and am in
favour of an independent, external scrutiny body at national level.

The Environment
Creation is a gift from our loving Father, entrusted to our care. As Christians, we have a responsibility to be
faithful stewards of that gift, recognising that care for creation is also care for our neighbour. We must be
particularly mindful of those communities around the world already experiencing the devastating
consequences of climate change, often despite having contributed least to its causes. Our response must
involve us all — as individuals, parishes and Dioceses, as well as the wider Church. I will seek to make it
easier for our churches to take practical and meaningful action, whilst also encouraging the national Church
to demonstrate leadership and accountability through its own actions, commitments and investments.

The World-Wide Church
We are blessed by our brothers and sisters throughout the Anglican communion. Sometimes our approach to
faith and life are very different but in my experience of working as part of the Triangle of Hope (in particular
with Ghana and the USA) an attitude of love, respect and honesty can enrich faith and learning across
cultural, geographical and generational boundaries. I am therefore keen to encourage international dialogue,
friendship and faith.

Social Responsibility
Christ brought good news to the poor and dispossessed and we must do likewise. In addition to mission, the
church must actively engage to meet the needs of the vulnerable in society. In Liverpool our churches do an
amazing job running foodbanks, credit unions, community food pantries and many other initiatives. General
Synod has an additional role in directly challenging the Government on policies that could disadvantage
weaker members of society. I am keen to actively engage with this role and to encourage the church to make
socially responsible investments.

Other Information
I have lived in Lydiate and attended my local Parish Church for over 40 years. I sing in the church choir,
serve on the PCC and sit on both Deanery and Diocesan synods. I am actively involved with the Triangle of
Hope and am Chair of Trustees for Tsedaqah House - a house in Cathedral Close where 3 young people from
Ghana, Virginia and Liverpool, live for a year, serving God together. I have also been privileged to serve as
Lay Chair of the Diocese and as a Lay Canon of our much loved Cathedral.

The above are my views on some of the important issues facing our church today. I pray that God will bless
each of us as together we seek to follow Him. I look forward to serving again on General Synod and
appreciate all your prayers and encouragement.

Debra Walker
[email protected] Tel: 0151 520 2496

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