crime,finance,homelessness,inclusive,justice,mission,outreach,pcc,young people,youth,youth groups

Paul Hannah
Standing for the House of Laity of General Synod

Nominated by Elaine Taberner, Burnley Deanery Synod

Seconded by Esther Gregory-Witham, Burnley Deanery Synod
I am 64, married with a son and two grandsons and a born
and bred Lancastrian. It has been a privilege to serve on
General Synod for the last three years and I still feel called
to serve the church further in this role. I worship at St Stephen’s church in Burnley where I am
assistant Church Warden and am active in many community and outreach activities at other
churches in the area
I am standing for Synod to offer my experience for the service of the church. My working experience
includes:
•
Building up a successful manufacturing business employing over 300 people. I
understand finance, business and organisation, all of which would benefit the
discussions in Synod in how the church is run.
•
Extensive work experience of managing high level projects in Europe, Asia and the
Americas. Travelling and working abroad has given me insight into other cultures and
the international dimension of the church
•
I use my business experience to mentor boards and leaders of charities to help them
to become resilient and secure, I have worked in recent years with charities as
diverse as homelessness support, gun crime reduction and support for eating
disorders.
•
Setting up community projects including youth groups, civic pride and church outreach. We
have many great communities in Lancashire that can thrive with church and community support
•
M-Power Mentor
I became a Christian late in life, although most of my adult life has been guided to support
others to recognise the greatness that God has placed within them. My experience leads me to
recognise that many are following the light without knowing where the light is coming from
•
Worshipping every week with my wife. Sharing my faith journey with others through
study groups
•
Outreach in the local community, establishing food and entertainment programmes with
others to bring people together and share their experiences.
•
I am passionate about serving those in need and helping them to see the potential they have.
•
I share in Christ’s message through practical outreach, speaking, supporting, and
developing our future leaders from all backgrounds.
•
Serving on PCC to help our local church best serve God and our community. If elected I will
always bring have perspective of the local parish church in my prayers and decision making.
My experience of the last three years means that I can be immediately effective in continuing the
work of General Synod and have the time to do the role justice. Please consider me for your first
preference vote so I can help the future direction of the Church.
Don’t forget to use your vote! Votes must be in by Tuesday 13th October!

Paul Hannah General Synod 2026
I feel called to continue to serve on General Synod as the Church of England faces important
decisions about its future direction.
Mission and Growth
I want to see a living, faithful, growing
church in every part of our country, one that
is at the core of the community. Our
national church works best through local
parishes, and I want to see God’s love and
message through action as well as through
words. This includes giving the right
support for our clergy.
Greater Freedom
Church communities should be enlivened to
become centres of the communities they
serve, where the talents of all people are
nurtured and developed to become
beacons of light for all. We must encourage
a focus on the work that shares the love of
Jesus and discourage reporting or
bureaucracy that does not facilitate this.
Community
Churches grow when they show God’s
love in action to all the communities
they serve. By focusing on the good
we can do together we become part of
the transformation of society and thrive
and grow with it. We must welcome
and engage young people, giving them
a place of belonging in a community
that cares for them.
Understanding Each Other
The Church of England has the chance to
have immense positive influence in the whole
of society when we work together. Our goals
are common, we become stronger when we
take time to understand others before trying
to make them understand us.
A Church for All
We are all created equally, the skills and talents
we need to grow are distributed across all races,
sexes, sexualities and abilities. By striving to
include all we harness the gifts that God has
given us.
I will leave the last word to Father Alex Frost, one of the amazing people I have worked closely with on
community projects in Burnley

“I wholeheartedly commend Paul as a fully inclusive candidate, bringing
transformational social and mission action experience, especially in areas
of deprivation, as well as financial expertise, to the work of the Church.”

Father Alex Frost, Vicar at St Matthews, Burnley

Thank you for reading my electoral statement, I hope you will give me your first preference vote.
If you want to contact me about anything I would be very happy to hear from you.
Paul Hannah
Rose Cottage, 226 Todmorden Road, Burnley, BB11 3EZ.
[email protected]