General Synod Election Candidates 2026

Richard Bastable
Candidate for General Synod

Nominated by: The Revd Chris Lee
(St Saviour’s Wendell Park)
Seconded by: The Revd Preb Philp Barnes
(St Stephen’s Gloucester Road)

Dear Elector

My name is Richard Bastable. I have been the vicar of St Luke’s, Uxbridge Road in Shepherds Bush
for the last 13 years and additionally Priest-in-Charge of St Matthew’s Sinclair Road for the last 5
years. I was ordained in 2008 and have served all my ministry in the Diocese of London.

I have been elected three times to Diocesan Synod, served as an elected representative on the most
recent Vacancy-in-See Committee, been Chapter Clerk for the Deanery of Hammersmith & Fulham,
and been a Vocations Adviser. I have also recently led national campaigns to promote Christian
ethics and the church’s teaching on assisted suicide and the decriminalisation of abortion up to birth.
Both in the church’s governance and in campaigns I have worked across various traditions so that
– with others – we could deliver the best outcomes that most fully served the advancement of the
gospel and addressed the presenting needs. I believe it is important to overcome factionalism in
order to witness to the compelling truth of faith in Jesus.

The Christian faith saves souls and transforms communities. I am standing for election to
General Synod because I believe the Church of England, at its best, embodies the identity and
actions that flow from this and I want to ensure we don’t lose these convictions. I believe we
need to prioritise our parishes, our parishioners and our parish priests.

Ministry brings me great joy: gathering with God’s people at the altar, preaching the gospel,
baptising new Christians, preparing for confirmation, conducting marriages, ministering to the sick,
praying with the dying, comforting the bereaved and commending the departed to God; forming
new links in our community, sharing ideas for mission with my PCCs, partnering with local
charities, engaging with young people, offering teaching series, encouraging people to pray, to read,
and to engage with the Christian faith.

Ministry can also feel frustrating and lonely. It can feel as if the administration burden is increasing,
as if money is scarce and fundraising takes time and energy away from other activities, as if many
of the routine tasks bear little resemblance to the calling I received, as if other forms of ministry are

championed more from “the centre,” as if support for an active parish mission seems to depend
more on money and form-filling than they do on growth, potential or need

If elected to General Synod, I will advocate:
● support for parish ministry including the prioritisation of resources to ensure that parishes
and priests are able to flourish in their mission and ministry
● reviews of the church’s policies so that reform where necessary can release funds to support
ministry in our parishes and priests to serve in them
● listening to what the Spirit is saying to the church by refreshing of our identity from our
foundational sources – the living tradition through which the Spirit’s voice can be heard
● theologically-grounded social justice as a key component in the Church of England’s mission
both nationally and in our local communities
● encouraging vocations to lay and ordained ministry, and ensuring that those who offer
service to the church receive support, theologically-informed training, and ongoing
deployment – this means protecting stipendiary ministry as the basis of the parish system
● the need to escape the “faddish” nature of many mission initiatives, policies and strategies,
and to refocus on the church’s core priorities and identity
● ensuring our reasoning and practices are informed by the gospels and not excessively shaped
by secular practices that do not reflect gospel values
● the importance of ensuring clergy discipline and safeguarding issues are well handled, and
that current processes are constantly reviewed to ensure that they are transparent, fair and
not unduly protracted
● promoting the importance of the church’s place, voice and teaching in national debates on
subjects of contemporary ethics, especially where such matters pose greater risk to the
vulnerable
● faithfulness to the church’s identity in teaching and the practice of the sacraments,
particularly Holy Matrimony and the seal of Confession

I am standing for General Synod because I believe fervently in the Christian faith, in the church,
and in the Church of England. I hope that you will be willing to vote for me as I seek to promote
your hopes and aspirations.

Thank you for reading my election address. If you have any questions, then please contact me on
[email protected]

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

With my prayers for you,
Richard Bastable

abortion,assisted suicide,clergy discipline,confirmation,deployment,gospel,justice,mission,pccs,safeguarding,social justice,stipendiary,tradition,vacancy,vocations,witness,young people