General Synod Election Candidates 2026

Election Address
The reason I am standing for election to Synod can be summed up in
three themes: mission; the fall in stipendiary clergy numbers; and
unity.
I have served for more than three quarters of my ordained ministry
in the Northern Province. And I have ministered in a variety of roles:
mostly in parish ministry; in theological education (both residential
and mixed-mode) and as an ADDO; and in full-time chaplaincy.
Mission, Evangelism and Parish Revitalization: As our nation’s
Christian identity becomes weaker, I believe that the Church of England continues to have a
unique role to play in mission and evangelism – and that we should continue to invest time and
treasure in prioritizing this role.
I would like to be a voice in Synod promoting continuing and committed engagement with the
priority of mission – supporting parish revitalizations and new local congregations, generous
models of planting, community impact and promoting social justice.
I am inspired to visit so many Church schools whose distinctive Christian character sits at the
heart of their vision for education and moves them to make a difference across the
communities they serve. I would love Synod to continue to promote and defend the
important and irreplaceable role of chaplaincy across a range of sectors.
The number of active stipendiary clergy is at a historic low. Recent years have seen a
dramatic decline in vocations (notwithstanding some, very welcome, upticks) and numbers of
clergy resignations are high. Securely reversing these trends, and promoting clergy welfare,
should be a priority for the new Synod.
I am so often encouraged and humbled by the imaginative, joyful and sacrificial ministry I see
in areas of multiple deprivation within the Diocese of Blackburn; but one risk of continuing
falls in clergy numbers must surely be that such areas across the country will find it even more
challenging to recruit clergy.
Doubtless, there are multiple factors contributing to the concerning vocations and resignations
figures. There are some encouraging steps in addressing this: the recent rise in stipend levels;
work to promote working class vocations. But much more is needed. We need to hear
wisdom from across the Church and seek together the right ways forward.
Church unity is a missiological issue: we seek unity among ourselves for the sake of
witnessing to the Gospel. Unity is also about the truth: we hear God better when we listen
together. Yet the bonds which unite us in the Church of England have been tested in recent
years. I believe that Synod is a place where all have a role to play in rebuilding trust.
I would like to be a voice in Synod promoting generous orthodoxy, less tribalism, and mutual
flourishing. Most fundamentally, I believe that we shall grow closer together as we all grow
closer to Christ – this is the unity which God wills for us.
Joe Kennedy
(Bishop of Burnley)

chaplaincy,church schools,clergy numbers,clergy welfare,evangelism,gospel,justice,mission,social justice,stipend,stipendiary,theological education,vocations,working class