General Synod Election Candidates 2026

2026 General Synod Election
The Revd Preb Dr Jason Roach

I am standing for General Synod because I want
to help the Church of England become more
confident in mission, wiser in its stewardship of
people and resources, more representative of the
communities it serves, and better equipped to
face the ethical challenges of a changing world.

I currently serve as Director of Ministries at London City Mission and as a Prebendary of St Paul’s
Cathedral, with Permission to Officiate in London and Southwark. I have previously served on
General Synod from 2015 to 2021, and would bring both that experience and a commitment to
constructive, practical and mission-focused debate.
At London City Mission I provide strategic leadership for around 100 field staff serving in urban
priority areas across London. I also contribute to decisions about buildings, finances and long-term
planning. This has given me significant practical experience of making mission-focused decisions in
challenging circumstances. I would bring this experience to the work of Synod.
I was born in Carshalton and grew up in a non-churchgoing family. My Anglican identity began to take
shape when I visited my parents’ country of origin, Barbados. I was struck by the vision represented
by its parishes: that every community should be reached and cared for. That vision of the whole
nation being reached with the good news of Christ has remained precious to me.
Before ordination I worked as a hospital doctor in London. My medical background led to a lasting
interest in ethics, which I developed through an MA in Bioethics, an MTh focused on resource
allocation and doctoral research into missional hospitality across cultures in urban churches. I am
particularly interested in mission across class and cultural divides, the ministry of the Church in
council estates and other underserved communities, and the ethical questions raised by technologies
such as artificial intelligence and biotechnology.
I would bring four particular priorities to Synod:
●​ Mission and growth: helping the Church reach communities that are often overlooked and
become more confident in sharing the gospel.
●​ Formation for ministry: ensuring that clergy and lay ministers are trained flexibly and
effectively for the realities of ministry today.
●​ Faithful stewardship: making wise decisions about buildings, finances and other resources so
that they serve the Church’s mission.
●​ A representative Church: encouraging vocations and supporting a clergy whose ethnic
diversity more closely reflects the communities we serve.

I have contributed to the Vocations Strategy Group of CMEAC, the London Diocesan Committee for
Minority Ethnic Concerns and the Racial Justice Priority Group. I want to see people from every
background encouraged to discern a calling to ministry and given the support they need to flourish.
I support mutual flourishing for those who hold differing convictions about the ordination and
consecration of women. I also believe that the Church must be compassionate, welcoming and
pastorally available to all, while remaining faithful to the Church’s historic Christian teaching on
human sexuality. During the LLF process, I worked to encourage serious, respectful and sustained
dialogue on these matters at national and diocesan level.
I would seek to be an accessible and constructive member of Synod: willing to listen carefully, speak
clearly, work across differences and keep the mission of the local church at the centre of national
decision-making.
I would be honoured to serve again. Please do vote, and I would welcome the opportunity to speak
with you about the contribution I could make. You can contact me at [email protected].

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