General Synod Election Candidates 2026

Rev’d Nick Alexander
Candidate for General Synod – House of Clergy
Email: [email protected]; Telephone 01604 494146
Nominated by Rev’d Sarah Bennett & Rev’d Canon Oliver Coss

The Church of England changed my life. I would love to spend the next
five years serving the wider church to help it change many more.

I have been an Anglican all my life. I attended a Church of England primary school in Cambridge,
sang in my parish choir as a child and, although I drifted from faith during my teenage years, it
was the ministry of the local Church of England that reached out
to me during a period of mental illness, listened when few others
did, and helped me rediscover the hope of Jesus Christ.

That experience gave me a lifelong love for the Church of England.

Why I am standing

General Synod is much more than a debating chamber. The
decisions it makes shape the life, ministry and mission of every
parish church in England. I don't stand because I believe the
Church of England is beyond hope. I stand because I believe it
remains one of God's greatest gifts to this nation. The Church of
England has faithfully proclaimed Christ in every corner of our country for centuries. I want to
see that continue.

If elected to General Synod I will seek to:

Speak up for the concerns of clergy especially with regard to well-being and mental health,
pensions, stipends, housing and guidelines for clergy conduct. I wish to acknowledge recent
progress in these areas but would seek to ensure that these issues are kept on the agenda.

Represent every member of the House of Clergy in Peterborough Diocese, listening carefully
to colleagues from every tradition, background and parish context, and ensuring their views are
represented faithfully, graciously and honestly at General Synod.

Champion the local church, especially supporting clergy serving in rural parishes and multi-
parish benefices, recognising both the opportunities and the considerable pressures they face.

Champion mission and church growth. Drawing on my considerable experience in church
growth and church planting I would seek to encourage everything that enables more people to
hear the gospel, come to faith in Christ and become committed disciples, especially children
and young people.

Encourage the Church of England to hold fast to the faith it has received, building
confidently on the sure foundations of Scripture, our historic doctrines, canons and traditions.

Cont’d/…

About me

I am married to Julia and we have three grown-up children and six wonderful grandchildren.
Before ordination I worked as a Chartered Building Surveyor.

Before entering ordained ministry, I served for five years as a Sunday School leader. Following
my curacy in the Diocese of Lincoln, I remained there for ten years helping to pioneer a new
congregation. During that time I became closely involved in Fresh Expressions and the Diocesan
Church Pioneers Fellowship.

Family circumstances later brought us back to East Anglia, where I served for five years at St
Mary's and St Peter's, Bury St Edmunds, before moving to Moulton Parish Church in 2020.

Since then, by God's grace, we have planted another congregation and seen our Sunday
attendance grow to around 200, with a church family of around 300 people. Nothing has
strengthened my confidence in the Church of England more than seeing ordinary people come
to faith in Christ and grow as his disciples through the faithful ministry of the local church.

Alongside parish ministry I have served on Diocesan Synod in three dioceses—Lincoln, St
Edmundsbury & Ipswich and Peterborough—and was privileged to serve on the Vacancy in See
Committee during the appointment of our current Bishop. Throughout my ministry I have had a
heart for reversing the effects of climate change – I have led Moulton and my previous church in
the gaining of bronze EcoChurch awards. I am passionate about growing community and
reaching out into community.

A word from those nominating me:

“I am delighted to nominate Nick for General Synod. He brings experience in growing vibrant
local congregations, pioneering fresh expressions and caring deeply for both the community
and the church he serves - locally and more widely. Nick’s commitment to scripture,
compassion and listening across differences makes him an outstanding representative for the
clergy of Peterborough Diocese. I highly commend him to you.”

Revd Sarah Bennett
The Church of Christ the King, Kettering

“I’m pleased to add my name to Nick’s nomination to General Synod in 2026, and to support a
colleague who brings much wisdom and gentle care to his ministry in Northampton Deanery.
Though we come from very different parts of the Church of England, I trust that he will
strengthen and enrich Synod’s deliberations and prayerfully approach this work.”

The Reverend Canon Oliver Coss
Rector of All Saints and Holy Sepulchre, Northampton, Rural Dean of Greater Northampton

If elected, I will seek to serve prayerfully, thoughtfully and with integrity, always asking how
General Synod can best strengthen the mission of the Church, support those serving in parish
ministry and enable the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church to flourish in this generation.

Thank you for taking the time to read my statement. I would be honoured if you would consider
giving me your first preference vote in the General Synod election, and I would greatly value
your prayers.

catholic,church growth,church planting,clergy conduct,climate change,curacy,dioceses,disciples,fresh expressions,gospel,housing,mental health,mission,ordination,scripture,sunday school,tradition,vacancy,young people