evangelical,inclusive,inclusive church,liberal,liturgical,liturgy,mission,missional,prayer,teis

16 Abbey Square, Chester, CH1 2HU
01244 500 978

DEAN
Very Revd Dr Tim Stratford

2 September 2026

GENERAL SYNOD ELECTION ADDRESS – NORTHERN DEANS

I have thought long and hard about whether I should put my hat in the ring to be a Dean
Proctor on General Synod. The main thing that has weighed on my mind has been my
chairmanship of the College of Deans. I don’t want to be overbearing and have been
concerned about holding two national responsibilities. On the other hand, I have also
been encouraged to see that having the Chair of the College on General Synod will
improve our connectedness with the national church’s conversations and agendas. My
Diocesan Bishop has gently pushed me to consider this as he was previously Chair of
the TEIs and was elected to General Synod for similar reasons. So, I put this to you, as it
is rightly your decision.

I have talked this over with Sue Jones and John Dobson and am grateful for their support
in nominating me.

You no doubt already know me well enough, but just so that you can be confident who
you would be electing if you were to lend me your vote, I:

• …am committed to a church with a low threshold that is open to people of all
shades of belief wherever they are on the journey of faith, even if they have not
yet started or are on a different journey to me
• …seek to speak with a relevant and clear voice that announces the Kingdom of
God in society and the public square
• …long for an inclusive church in every meaning of that word that does not
“other” people, nor does it crush love
• …have been formed by the liturgy of the Church of England throughout my adult
life, am committed to regular prayer, and love the music that has enriched our
worship for centuries
• …believe that cathedrals have a vital place in the eco-system of the Church of
England as exemplars of missional, prophetic, pastoral and liturgical practice
that have the potential to lead the whole church in the ways of Christ

16 Abbey Square, Chester, CH1 2HU
01244 500 978

• …love the Church of England and long for it to fulfil what its Vision, Strategy,
Priorities and Marks of Mission state
• …want to support our bishops as brothers and sisters charged with the
responsibility of leading us in our mission and believe that our cathedrals are
important platforms for them
• …do not subscribe to fixed party lines having been nurtured as an evangelical
Christian in my local parish church and Christian Union, learning to deeply
appreciate the mystery of catholicity in worship and radical social engagement,
and enjoying the spaciousness that my open and liberal cathedral offers me and
all who encounter God within it
• …as a parish priest served briefly in suburban inner city and large town
churches; I have spent twenty years leading two high IMD outer city council
estate parishes on the edge of Liverpool; I have served as Chaplain to David
Sheppard at a very formative time for me, was Archdeacon of Leicester and have
now been Dean of Chester for eight years.
• …have served on General Synod before both as a Parish Priest and as an
Archdeacon, much of that time as a member of the Liturgical Commission,
which has given me sufficient experience to be effective from the off.

I hope this gives you sufficient background to know whether you want to support me in
this role or not. If you are minded to support me, I would like to seek your first
preference vote. In such a small constituency as the Northern Deans it is only the first
preferences that are likely to count in the end.