General Synod Election Candidates 2026

Revd Lauren Burnett
Candidate for General Synod, House of Clergy
Email: [email protected]
Mobile: +447763324005
Address: Hackney Church House

1 Prodigal Square

London

E8 1FX
Proposed by:
Revd Andrew Wilson
Rector of St John of Jerusalem
Seconded by:
Revd Naomi Maxwell-Babatunde
Associate Rector of SAINT
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
I am asking for your support to represent you in the House of Clergy at General Synod, serving
the London Diocese and the wider Church of England. It would be an immense honour to serve
the Church in this way as I care deeply about both the local parish and wider Church, and
recognise that Synod is where the decisions that effect all of us are made.
Synod, Church & Ministry Experience

• This is the first time I am offering myself to serve on General Synod. I have been fortunate to

see the fruit of pursuing unity within my ministry experience, so I believe that we are better
working together, trusting that the presence of God is with us when we do.

• I am aware there will be much to learn as this is my first time standing, but I truly believe that

every day is an oppertunity to learn and grow, so I am willing to work hard and listen diligently,
remaining open

• I trained and gained my masters at St Mellitus College and was ordained in the Diocese of

London.

• Throughout my life I have worshipped in multiple expressions of church including a variety of

charasmatic expressions, Roman Catholic, Church of Scotland, Cathedrals and high churches,
meaning that I not only value but champion the breadth of worship within the church as I have
encountered God in all of it and pray for its flourishing. This breadth is one of the reasons I feel
most at home within the Church of England and proudly call myself an Anglican.

• Over the last 13 years of serving in ministry in both lay and paid roles, I have served on youth,

oversaw and organised parish events and conferences, led diverse congregations within
different traditions, served on and ran multiple outreach programs for groups that include
vulnerable adults, children and those exploring faith, and spoken at conferences to encourage
young leaders.

About Me

• I am an Assistant Curate at SAINT, which is one church across several parishes seeking to

share hope with the people of East London. Working in a wider team and in different very
diverse parishes means that pursuing unity feels very much part of my ministry DNA.

• I am originally from Edinburgh, Scotland but it wasn’t until I was a teenager that I started

attending a youth group that led me giving my life to Christ. I went on to serve at youth groups
for several years both in Edinburgh and in London, which has given me a heart for young
people to be championed and supported by the church.

• Before starting ordination training, I gained a masters in Theatre and Performance Studies,

working as a freelance creative, before working as a PA for Assistant Deans of a theological
college and then working as a parish coordinator at SAINT. This experience has cultivated a
passion in me for creatives, those training for ordination and those who serve the church in lay
roles.

• I am

Why Vote for Me?

• Clergy welfare. Having served the church in lay roles and now as a priest, I recognise that the

ever-growing demands on clergy needs to be supported with sufficient care. As a distance
runner who runs every day, I recognise that to sustain endurance, there needs to be suficient
support in place, so I’d advocate for a Clergy Conduct Measure that leads to better pensions,
stipends, housing, and maternity support.

• Safeguarding. Serving in a diverse church, I have regularly seen the need for dilligent

safeguarding, and the ongoing training that many desire. I believe we can do more to not only
equip our church to follow good practice, but for it to become more confident and safer too
with more training available and more support for those who are at the front line most
frequently.

• Mutual flourishing. Over the years, I have heard people within different church contexts speak

of others who worship differently with skepticism and judgement, which I believe to be rooted
in a scarcity mindset and fear. As the Church, I believe that we should seek the flourishing of
every parish in every tradition, be open to innovation, encouraging the voices of the younger
generations and the celebrating the old, seeking together that every knee will bow, and every
tongue confess that Jesus is Lord. Ultimately leading to the transformation of our societies as
the church grows younger, more unifed and Christlike for the benefit of not only this generation
but for the generations to come.

• Equipping the church, especially our ordinands. I feel called within my ministry to champion

the call God has on each person, both within and outwith of church. However, as I have found
myself having conversations with various young leaders suggesting that the ordained role in the
Church of England isn’t for them not because they don’t feel called, but its shape doesn’t serve
their age, stage or background, I feel especially drawn to support ordinands. I’d advocate for
the discernment process to become less of a barrier, and for more than sufficient training, so
ordinands feel supported and well-equipped when they enter curacy.

• Creation care. The current climate crisis suggests that we can do better as the Church to

uphold our fifth mark of mission – to safeguard the intergrity of creation, and sustain and
rewnew the life of the earth. While the recent published teaching, approved festival and
progress report all suggest we’re heading in the right direction, the ongoing challenges it also
noted implies that continued advocacy and action are required, which I endeavour to do.
Thank you for taking the time to read this Election Address.
Please prayerfully consider me as you vote. If elected I seek to represet you to the best of my
ability and with integrity. While I have no doubt serving on General Synod is challenging and
complex, it would be an honour, as I truly believe it is fundamental in seeing the Church I love
thrive and equipped to share the good news of Jesus Christ until He returns.

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