General Synod Election Candidates 2026

I feel called to stand for General Synod in the Diocese of Oxford because we are entering
a crucial time in the life of the Church of England. I have lived in the Diocese for most of
my adult life, and have also served the Church of England in central London and coastal
Lancashire. This gives me a strong awareness of the breadth of our Church, and an
understanding of how needs and priorities can vary.
Who am I?
[email protected]
CHRIS DINGWALL-JONES
For General Synod
Proposer: The Revd Philippa White (Bishop’s Chaplain)
Seconder: The Revd Katherine Price (Vicar of Wantage)
I’m Team Vicar in the Benefice of Witney, where I’ve lived with my wife Hannah and two
children for the past two years. I’ve been involved in churches all my life, and have
encountered Christ at work in contexts as diverse as the Roman Catholic parish where I
was raised, through non-denominational charismatic gatherings, to the quiet rhythms of
a college chapel. My spiritual home is in Sacramental Anglicanism, where the universality
of Christ comes into contact with the everyday joys and sorrows of humanity.
Before ordination I taught Theatre and Performance at the University of Kent,
supplementing this with work as a community development worker for a Parish in
Camden Town, London. I trained for ordination at St Stephen’s House, Oxford, and served
my Curacy in Fleetwood in the Diocese of Blackburn. After this I returned to Oxford as
Chaplain of Jesus College, before taking up my current post.
In my parish ministry, I am committed to an outward facing, open-hearted vision of the
Christian life. I am an LGBTQIA+ Chaplain in our Diocese, and serve on the Reference
Group for the Chaplaincy. Since 2025, I have also been involved in delivering the ‘Jesus
and Salvation’ course as part of the Diocese of Oxford Learning Hub.
I am the author of the recent book Sacramental Trans Feminism: Ritualism, Liberation
and Trans Rites, published by SCM Press, and I am also interested in the overlaps
between liturgy and performance.
What do I offer?
I have extensive experience of governance, both church and secular. I have served as
governor for primary schools in urban and rural settings, was on the committee for the
Ordinands’ Association and involved in extensive constitutional reform there. I also sat on
the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee at Jesus College, particularly
championing religion and belief. I understand the issues facing the church in both
wealthy and deprived areas, and am committed to ensuring that all areas of our Diocese
have a voice.

What do I stand for?
Inclusivity
The Church is properly ‘catholic’ in the sense of ‘universal’, always expanding to bring the
Kingdom near. I am committed to promoting this Kingdom vision by seeking 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. This includes a commitment to women’s ministry at every level. As a College
chaplain I saw first-hand the harm done to people’s faith when Church is not
experienced in this way. Living and working alongside traditionalist Catholic colleagues
during training and in curacy has taught me that we are better when we work together
across difference, committed to learning from one another.
Good Governance
Because the issues raised by Living in Love and Faith remain unresolved, there is a risk of
General Synod being dominated by factionalism and single-issue candidates. However, it
is crucial that we get the details right across the wide range of work before Synod. This is
particularly the case as the agenda for the next quinquennium includes significant work
on fundamental issues of governance and safeguarding. At a time when a recent report
has revealed that trust in the Church of England is lacking, I am committed to working
alongside colleagues to ensure that the governance of our Church reflects and enables
its mission to, and presence in, our diverse communities.
Clergy Wellbeing
The combination of multi-parish benefices, clergy retirements, and falling vocations is
increasing the workload of parish priests. Alongside an increasing amount of
administration and compliance (often necessary and important), this can take energy
away from the work of growing the Kingdom, as well as testing the willingness of
volunteers. On Synod, I will be a voice for the local church, seeking ways to enable lay
ministry and enable clergy to focus on the central work of Word and Sacrament. I have
both academic and personal experience of issues surrounding mental health, and am
committed to ensuring that adequate support is available for clergy.
The Parish
The replacement of the Mission and Pastoral Measure 2011 will be a key issue in the
coming quinquennium. I am committed to the Parish as the heart of ministry in the
Church of England. Whatever decisions are taken to enable mission must reflect a
commitment to the local church – particularly those in areas of deprivation where
churches often play a vital role in community well-being. This includes ensuring that
vocations and clergy training are prioritised, but it also means supporting congregations
in caring for historic buildings, enabling responsive initiatives in the community, and
respecting local knowledge and the distinctiveness of each parish church.
I would be so grateful for your first preference vote!
Thank you for taking the time to read this, and do get in touch with any questions.

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