General Synod Election Candidates 2026

Details of all candidates in the 2026 General Synod elections

Election Address

The Rt Revd Sam Corley, Bishop of Stockport

Northern suffragans

House of Bishops

It feels odd writing an election address to be read exclusively
by colleagues who already know me, but perhaps it is helpful
to set out four motivations why, following encouragement
from some of you, I am standing for election to the House of
Bishops and thus to General Synod.
With a sense of call to the north and having ministered in a
variety of contexts in three different dioceses in three very
different parts of the Northern province, I want to be an
effective advocate and champion of the different communities within our dioceses,
especially those most overlooked in rural, urban and coastal areas.
I love the Church of England. I am committed to its health and growth and want to
see all parts of it flourish and thrive. For varied reasons, trust in and within both the
House of Bishops and General Synod has been damaged. I am convinced that a
deeper commitment to prayer, transparency and to challenging unhelpful behaviour
when we gather is needed to help us move forward together more effectively.
Having held national responsibility for discernment and now vocations, I want to
ensure this work is kept in sharp focus: there is still much to do to ensure that the
church has the lay and ordained ministers it needs to lead and enable effective
mission and ministry.
Likewise, the dwindling numbers of children and young people in far too many of our
churches keeps me awake at night and needs surely to be more of a focus and
priority in our work as a national church. There is so much great stuff happening in
our schools, colleges and universities, but there is much more we could do, not
least in providing for and supporting young people in our communities who are not in
education, employment or training.
There is much more I could say about other roles, interests and priorities but you
have already read more than enough!
I would value your vote and if a conversation would be helpful as you make your
decision then please do be in touch; it would be lovely to hear from you.
Sam Corley
07878 371 897
[email protected]

dioceses,discernment,house of bishops,mission,prayer,transparency,universities,vocations,young people

Theological Tradition Terms
Theological Tradition Sentences
Sexuality, Marriage & LLF/PLF Terms
Sexuality, Marriage & LLF/PLF Sentences
Safeguarding Terms
Safeguarding Sentences
Evangelism, Mission & Church Growth Terms

mission

Evangelism, Mission & Church Growth Sentences
Having held national responsibility for discernment and now vocations, I want to ensure this work is kept in sharp focus: there is still much to do to ensure that the church has the lay and ordained ministers it needs to lead and enable effective mission and ministry.
Doctrine & Formularies Terms

discernment,prayer

Doctrine & Formularies Sentences
I am convinced that a deeper commitment to prayer, transparency and to challenging unhelpful behaviour when we gather is needed to help us move forward together more effectively. ------ Having held national responsibility for discernment and now vocations, I want to ensure this work is kept in sharp focus: there is still much to do to ensure that the church has the lay and ordained ministers it needs to lead and enable effective mission and ministry.
Society, Justice & Inclusion Terms
Society, Justice & Inclusion Sentences
Clergy Concerns Terms

vocations

Clergy Concerns Sentences
Having held national responsibility for discernment and now vocations, I want to ensure this work is kept in sharp focus: there is still much to do to ensure that the church has the lay and ordained ministers it needs to lead and enable effective mission and ministry.
Church Structure & Policy Terms

dioceses,house of bishops,transparency,vocations

Church Structures & Policy Sentences
It feels odd writing an election address to be read exclusively by colleagues who already know me, but perhaps it is helpful to set out four motivations why, following encouragement from some of you, I am standing for election to the House of Bishops and thus to General Synod. ------ With a sense of call to the north and having ministered in a variety of contexts in three different dioceses in three very different parts of the Northern province, I want to be an effective advocate and champion of the different communities within our dioceses, especially those most overlooked in rural, urban and coastal areas. ------ For varied reasons, trust in and within both the House of Bishops and General Synod has been damaged. ------ I am convinced that a deeper commitment to prayer, transparency and to challenging unhelpful behaviour when we gather is needed to help us move forward together more effectively. ------ Having held national responsibility for discernment and now vocations, I want to ensure this work is kept in sharp focus: there is still much to do to ensure that the church has the lay and ordained ministers it needs to lead and enable effective mission and ministry.
Other Churches & Other Faiths Terms
Other Churches & Other Faiths Sentences
Youth & Next Generation Terms

universities,young people

Youth & Next Generation Sentences
Likewise, the dwindling numbers of children and young people in far too many of our churches keeps me awake at night and needs surely to be more of a focus and priority in our work as a national church. ------ There is so much great stuff happening in our schools, colleges and universities, but there is much more we could do, not least in providing for and supporting young people in our communities who are not in education, employment or training.
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