General Synod Election Candidates 2026

General Synod Elections 2026
LUKE MILLER: Archdeacon of London and Rector of S Andrew by the Wardrobe & S Martin Ludgate.
Please give me your FIRST preference vote!
Archdeacon of London and Rector in the City of London. The perspectives of a parish priest and a
senior staff member. Experienced and effective in General Synod. A track record of making a
difference. A traditional catholic known for working with people of other opinions. Committed to the
Mission of Christ’s church.
Why Synod? In Synod we walk together in response to Christ’s call to serve the
Kingdom of God. On the surface Synod is all “issues” and laws and Measures and
debates. At its best however, Synod is Christ’s people engaging in a common task of
seeking grace to configure our common life to Christ as His Members in the World.
Why me? We have big issues to address. I can be effective on the matters that need
to be addressed because I engage with people of varying views and have the
experience to have an impact. I bring to Synod the perspectives of a parish priest and
of an archdeacon working with churches and chaplaincies in London. I bring back
from Synod insights and understanding which can help us here.
Effective in the Synodical Processes
I have the relationships and knowledge to be effective. This has been seen for
instance in my leadership of the revision of the Guidelines for the Professional
Conduct of the Clergy, essential to make Clergy Conduct fair and clear. This will affect
every cleric and every church. An example of how I give attention to, and have an
effect on, what is important, not just to what is in the headlines.
Engaged with clear convictions in constructive relationships
I have been Prolocutor and worked across the whole Synod as rotating Chair of the
House of Clergy. I do so as a Traditional Catholic and a member of the Catholic Group.
I believe strongly in upholding the Seal of the Confessional. As one who holds the
traditional teaching about indissoluble marriage for life between a man and a woman
and human sexuality, I served with those of all views as a member of the LLF
Programme Board. After much debate we now have clarity on the legal and synodical
process that would be needed for any change. Synod will need those like me who
have a track record of “disagreeing well”.
Experienced in Legislation that serves local churches
General Synod is a legislature with devolved powers from Parliament. Debates on
public issues grab headlines, but Members must grapple with the details of law and
legislation. Getting it wrong can affect local churches significantly. As Chair of the
Legislative Reform Committee I have gained considerable knowledge of how to get

things done and how to frame legislation. Having current parochial and archidiaconal
experience will be especially helpful as Synod revises the Mission and Pastoral
Measure: new law about parish structures, church planting and property.
Making a difference on the big issues
Safeguarding structures need to work to make everyone safer without losing the
essential relationships of trust, nor overwhelming parish safeguarding officers. We
need to continue to develop safeguarding which is strongly embedded, effective, and
proportionate.
Governance: I helped to present the Governance Measure in Parliament and I
brought Parliament's response to Synod. In the next steps I am well placed to help to
get things right to simplify our over complex and costly structures.
Church funding: reform is needed towards better funding for local churches and
parishes. Less in grants and more core funding. My time on the Archbishops’ Council
Audit and Risk Committee taught me that simplistic responses will not do. The last
Synod was beginning to wrestle with the complexities. I bring understanding of parish
and diocesan finance to the Synod to get this right.
“Clergy Accountability” is coming down the tracks. Wellbeing, safeguarding, CMD,
finance, retirements outstripping ordinations, changes to clergy discipline, all impinge
on clergy terms of service. Clergy Accountability will touch on our ecclesiology, and
most aspects of our common life. I do not believe clergy should be employees, and
would like us to explore a structure like a professional association. I can bring my
experience as Prolocutor and knowledge of legal and synodical process, my
understanding of finance and my established working relationships to what may be
the defining matter of this quinquennium.
I hope to return to Synod to work for the whole church so that we can better advance
and serve the Kingdom of God.
Please give me your FIRST preference vote!

EFFECTIVE on the issues that matter;
ENGAGED across Synod and the National Church;
EXPERIENCED to get things done

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