General Synod Election Candidates 2026

Details of all candidates in the 2026 General Synod elections

Election Address

Charles Edward Lord

London

House of Laity


Uy, THE CHURCH
17 OF ENGLAND

Charles
Edward
Lord

Faithful. Inclusive.
66
| believe the Church of
England is at its best when it

reflects Christ's generous love
in both what it proclaims and
how it welcomes people.

7 About me

| have been an Anglican all my life. Although | was deeply hurt
by some of the Church's actions and spent years away from
regular worship, | never lost my faith or my love of the richness
of Anglican tradition. In recent years | returned to active church
life and rediscovered the joy of serving Christ through worship,
preaching and ministry. That journey has strengthened my
conviction that the Church of England is at its best when it
reflects Christ's generous love in both what it proclaims and
how it welcomes people.

Today | serve in two very different London communities. | am
Churchwarden and Vice-Chair of the Guild Church Council at
St Lawrence Jewry next Guildhall in the heart of the City, and
a PCC member, Deanery Synod representative and volunteer
at St Mary Magdalene, Munster Square, serving a large
Camden council estate. These churches have given me first-
hand experience of both the opportunities and the challenges
facing parish life across our Diocese. | also serve as a Trustee of
OneBodyOneFaith and worship regularly at Open Table.

Outside the Church, | have spent my career in public service
and civic leadership, including 25 years as a City of London
Councillor. | understand how large institutions work, how
legislation is developed, and how good governance helps
organisations flourish.

Candidate for the House of Laity | General Synod

| Diocese of London

The Church of England has extraordinary
strengths: faithful parishes, dedicated clergy
and lay people, beautiful worship, and a
unique calling to serve every community
across our nation.

Yet recent years have also exposed serious
challenges. Failures in governance and
safeguarding, alongside divisions over
inclusion, have damaged confidence in our
national Church.

lam standing because | believe General
Synod has a vital role in helping rebuild
that trust.

| want to bring practical experience,
thoughtful judgement, and a collaborative
approach to Synod's work, helping our Church
become more faithful to the Gospel, more
accountable in its governance, and more
confident in its mission.

la

My five priorities
for General Synod

¢¢°¢

| will be a faithful, inclusive, and hopeful voice for the people and parishes of our Diocese
at General Synod, with service rooted in Christ's radical message of love.
= Flourishing parish churches

Empowering parishes with the resources, freedom, and support they need
to grow and thrive, delivering the Save the Parish manifesto ambitions.

A Church that welcomes everyone
Championing respect, dignity, and full participation, so everyone can
belong and flourish, supporting the Inclusive Synod Statement.

Ensuring transparency, accountability, and wise stewardship at every
level of Church life, through careful scrutiny and effective legislation.

Safeguarding we can trust
Prioritising the safety and wellbeing of all, with robust, compassionate,
and transparent safeguarding, which is held fully accountable by Synod.

Hope for the future
Equipping the whole Church to share the hope of the Gospel in word and
deed, including recruitment, training, and support for clergy and laity.

with honesty, always seeking the e
best for our Church and for the pelea ile
communities we serve. [email protected]

2 |

  1. Good governance and accountability

4
o

| would be honoured to receive @ 07974 431 484

your first preference vote. © celord.com
Under the Single Transferable Vote system, later ]

preferences are also important. After supporting me, | %
encourage you to continue ranking other candidates who

share your commitment to flourishing parishes, good
governance,and an inclusive Church.

Inclusive Synod Statement: “We are committed to equality for everyone, at all levels and roles within the church,
regardless of disability, economic power, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, learning disability, mental health, neurodiversity,
or sexuality.”

Candidate for the House of Laity General Synod

accountability,disability,equality,gender identity,gospel,inclusive,inclusive church,mental health,mission,neurodiversity,pcc,safeguarding,save the parish,sexuality,stewardship,tradition,transparency


Theological Tradition Terms

inclusive,inclusive church,save the parish

Theological Tradition Sentences
Inclusive. ------ I will be a faithful, inclusive, and hopeful voice for the people and parishes of our Diocese at General Synod, with service rooted in Christ's radical message of love. = Flourishing parish churches ------ Empowering parishes with the resources, freedom, and support they need to grow and thrive, delivering the Save the Parish manifesto ambitions. ------ A Church that welcomes everyone Championing respect, dignity, and full participation, so everyone can belong and flourish, supporting the Inclusive Synod Statement. ------ share your commitment to flourishing parishes, good governance,and an inclusive Church. ------ Inclusive Synod Statement: “We are committed to equality for everyone, at all levels and roles within the church, regardless of disability, economic power, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, learning disability, mental health, neurodiversity, or sexuality.”

Sexuality, Marriage & LLF/PLF Terms

gender identity,sexuality

Sexuality, Marriage & LLF/PLF Sentences
Inclusive Synod Statement: “We are committed to equality for everyone, at all levels and roles within the church, regardless of disability, economic power, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, learning disability, mental health, neurodiversity, or sexuality.”

Safeguarding Terms

safeguarding

Safeguarding Sentences
Failures in governance and safeguarding, alongside divisions over inclusion, have damaged confidence in our national Church. ------ Safeguarding we can trust Prioritising the safety and wellbeing of all, with robust, compassionate, and transparent safeguarding, which is held fully accountable by Synod.

Evangelism, Mission & Church Growth Terms

gospel,mission

Evangelism, Mission & Church Growth Sentences
I want to bring practical experience, thoughtful judgement, and a collaborative approach to Synod's work, helping our Church become more faithful to the Gospel, more accountable in its governance, and more confident in its mission. ------ Hope for the future Equipping the whole Church to share the hope of the Gospel in word and deed, including recruitment, training, and support for clergy and laity.

Doctrine & Formularies Terms

tradition

Doctrine & Formularies Sentences
Although I was deeply hurt by some of the Church's actions and spent years away from regular worship, I never lost my faith or my love of the richness of Anglican tradition.

Society, Justice & Inclusion Terms

disability,equality,mental health,neurodiversity

Society, Justice & Inclusion Sentences
Inclusive Synod Statement: “We are committed to equality for everyone, at all levels and roles within the church, regardless of disability, economic power, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, learning disability, mental health, neurodiversity, or sexuality.”

Clergy Concerns Terms
Clergy Concerns Sentences

Church Structure & Policy Terms

accountability,pcc,stewardship,transparency

Church Structures & Policy Sentences
I am Churchwarden and Vice-Chair of the Guild Church Council at St Lawrence Jewry next Guildhall in the heart of the City, and a PCC member, Deanery Synod representative and volunteer at St Mary Magdalene, Munster Square, serving a large Camden council estate. ------ Ensuring transparency, accountability, and wise stewardship at every level of Church life, through careful scrutiny and effective legislation. ------ 3) Good governance and accountability

Other Churches & Other Faiths Terms
Other Churches & Other Faiths Sentences

Youth & Next Generation Terms
Youth & Next Generation Sentences