General Synod Election Candidates 2026

Helen Lamb
[email protected]

Dear Elector

I am writing to ask you prayerfully to consider giving me your highest preference vote in the 2026
elections for General Synod. Below is a brief outline of what you could expect if you vote for me. If
you would like more details, or would like to discuss anything in particular, please feel free to get
in touch.

Mission
Wider church involvement
I have been a member of General Synod representing Oxford Diocese from 2024-26 following
a by-election and I am currently serving as one of the 6 Diocesan representatives on the
Crown Nominations Commission, seeking to discern who God is calling as the next Bishop of
Oxford later in 2026.

I also have experience as a trustee of several charities, including one that carries patronage
responsibilities through which I have been involved in the appointment of two incumbents in
Oxford Diocese during the past five years. Since 2018 I have served on the Council of a
Theological Education Institution (TEI), which trains ordinands offers courses and
qualifications in theology and pastoral ministry for students of all ages and stages.
Personal Details
I am 48, married, with two teenage children and a golden retriever. I was born in South Africa,
moved to England when I was 4 and grew up in a rural parish church. Having married a
medical student, we have moved between Edinburgh, Cambridge and Oxford with a year in
Melbourne, Australia along the way.

We now live in Headington, Oxford and serve as home group leaders, and our children love
the fun and fellowship of the youth group and playing music for services.
Professional Background
I have more than 25 years of experience as a Human Resources professional – 10 years in
large financial services companies, after which I began consulting for smaller organisations in
contexts ranging from financial services to GP practices and family businesses. I provide
support in all areas of HR, most often including leadership, culture and team development as
well as the full range of operational people issues.

As a freelance consultant, I have flexibility with my time and can therefore commit to the
work that goes with serving on General Synod. Professionally, my job is often to ask probing
questions of senior leaders, ensuring that the consequences and implications of decisions are
properly considered.

I love the Church of England. It has been the context for my spiritual growth, and our children are
now growing up in it. I long for it to witness to the love of Jesus Christ in every village, town and
city across the country and I support the aims of Save the Parish in focusing on parish, priest and
people as we continue to be a church for the whole nation. The culture and context continue to
change, but Christ remains the One with the words of eternal life.

Practically, how we resource this is an enormous issue and there are several Diocesan Synod
motions waiting to be considered by General Synod in relation to the financial resources, structure
and use of Parish Share (Common Fund) and funding of central services at national and diocesan
level. Oxford also passed a similar motion in 2023, as a result of the work of Aston & Cuddesdon
deanery synod, and I am keen to ensure these matters are properly considered in the next
quinquennium to ensure we are stewarding what God has given us to fulfil our mission.

Governance, accountability and culture
Governance continues to be a pressing issue for us, not only in relation to high-profile concerns
about safeguarding and the restructuring of the National Church Institutions. Issues of trust and
trustworthiness have been the subject of significant work in General Synod, with more underway
in the College of Bishops. As the established church, we have particular responsibilities, and I am
deeply concerned that we continue to challenge ourselves to live up to our calling to witness to
Jesus across the land, and that General Synod plays its part in this work.

Clergy
I believe a crucial challenge in fulfilling our mission is the experience of our clergy as shepherds
under Christ Jesus. We face a catastrophic reduction in clergy numbers through projected
retirement, exacerbated by burnout and disillusionment. This is combining with a crisis of
vocations among prospective candidates for ordination.

As a Council member for a theological college training Church of England ordinands, I see a range
of factors affecting the confidence of those currently in training, as well as those considering
ordination. If we are to be the church in every parish, we have to be willing to have some brave
and candid discussions about how we encourage more people to consider ordained ministry, how
we support and sustain those already in it, and what barriers we are creating or perpetuating that
we need to address.

The new Clergy Conduct Measure is much better than the CDM it has replaced. However, we will
need to keep it under review as it is implemented, and I believe I have relevant experience to help
ensure it is effective, proportionate and timely in its operation.

Contribution
As well as getting involved through fringe meetings and with those leading particular projects, I
have also spoken in main debates on the Living in Love & Faith process in 2024 and mental health
earlier this year.

I hope this gives you some insight into my nomination and how I might continue to contribute to
the work of General Synod. If you would like to discuss anything in more detail, please do get in
touch. I hope that you will consider giving me your first, or high preference, vote.

Yours in Christ,
Helen Lamb

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