General Synod Election Candidates 2026

Why I am standing for the General Synod
Colin Wilkinson
e-mail [email protected]

Address: 76 Larkhall Lane, Harpole, West Northants, NN7 4DF
Phone number: 07777 114412

It would be a great privilege to serve as a lay member of the General Synod of the Church of England.
I have been a member of the Church of England for 39 years. I love our Church: its faith, its worship,
its extraordinary history and heritage, and its presence in communities right across the country. I also
recognise that we are living through a time of enormous challenge and opportunity. I want to help the
Church of England face that future with confidence, prayer and a renewed sense of mission.
My Priorities for Synod
If elected, I would bring to Synod experience of:
•
Evangelism and church growth — including the opportunities facing a mainly rural four-
church benefice as significant new housing developments transform our communities.
•
Ecumenical partnership — through my role as Chairman of Churches Together in
Northampton and involvement with Anglican and Baptist churches.
•
Children and young people — through five years as Chairman of Harpole Youth Club and
involvement with the village school.
•
Lay ministry and leadership — encouraging lay people to use their gifts alongside clergy.
•
Safeguarding and good governance — through my church, PCC, Parish Council and
community responsibilities.
•
Community engagement — bringing together Christian witness, prayer and practical service.
I believe I could bring to General Synod a combination of Christian faith, practical experience,
ecumenical breadth and a commitment to listening.
A life rooted in the local church
I am a member of the PCC at All Saints, Harpole, where I live, and preach approximately every three
weeks across our four churches. I also lead a small discussion group in Harpole called Harpole
Fellowship. I try to make church accessible in practical ways too, and each week I give lifts to friends in
the village who wish to attend church services.
Evangelism and prayer are important parts of my Christian life. I take part in weekly evangelistic
outreach in central Northampton and attend prayer meetings in the town. I am also involved in leading
Northampton’s Prayer for Israel group, which meets monthly both in person and by Zoom, often
welcoming guest speakers from around the world.
I want to see the Church of England confidently sharing the good news of Jesus Christ, welcoming
those who are already part of the Church and those who currently have little or no connection with it.
Our four-church benefice is facing an exciting new challenge, with significant housing developments
changing the communities around our churches. I see this not simply as a challenge but as a
tremendous opportunity for evangelism, community-building and new ways of welcoming
people into the life of the Church.
I also believe strongly in the importance of local parish churches at the heart of their communities.
As we respond to financial and numerical pressures, structural changes should strengthen, rather than
weaken, the Christian presence in our communities.

Building bridges

I currently serve as Chairman of Churches Together in Northampton. This has enabled me to build
relationships with Christians from a wide range of denominations and traditions, and I am particularly
committed to seeing churches united in witness and action. I arrange United services and help develop
opportunities for Christian witness and practical service.
I believe that working together, while respecting our different traditions, can give a stronger and more
effective Christian witness to our communities.
My commitment to working across denominations is also reflected in my involvement with Harpole
Baptist Church, where I am currently Church Secretary and Safeguarding Trustee.
Safeguarding is fundamental to the life of every church. It is not simply about policies and
procedures, but about creating churches where everyone is safe, respected and valued, and where
concerns are listened to and acted upon. The safety and wellbeing of everyone — from toddlers to
pensioners, and whatever their background or gender — must always be taken seriously.
Serving the wider community
I served for 15 years on Harpole Parish Council, including one year as Chairman, and was a
permanent member of the Planning, Transport and Infrastructure Committees. This gave me valuable
experience of local government, decision-making, listening to differing views and seeking
practical solutions.
For the past five years I have been Chairman of Harpole Youth Club, for young people aged
approximately 9–13. I have a real passion for helping young people relate well to each other and feel
that they have a meaningful place within their local community. I attend as many sessions as possible,
chair the Committee and, when able, contribute to activities at the village school, particularly
assemblies.
These responsibilities have strengthened my belief in lay ministry and partnership between clergy
and laity. Healthy churches need clergy who are well supported and lay people who are encouraged
and equipped to use their gifts in worship, pastoral care, evangelism and service.
A Church with confidence in its future
I believe these experiences would enable me to make a positive contribution to General Synod. I
would seek to listen carefully, participate constructively in debate and make decisions
prayerfully, always remembering the mission of the Church and the people it seeks to serve.
I am particularly interested in how the Church of England can become more confident in evangelism,
prayer and discipleship, while remaining a Church that serves the whole nation.
I support initiatives such as the Eternal Wall of Answered Prayer, of which I am the local Champion, as
an opportunity to share something of the Christian faith with people who may have little contact
with the Church.
My experience has taught me that good intentions are not enough. We need prayerful vision
accompanied by sound governance, careful stewardship and practical action.
On a personal note, I was married to Marilyn for 42 years until she tragically died in 2016. We have a
son, Daniel, a daughter, Angela, and two granddaughters. I enjoy supporting Northampton’s Rugby
Union team and also Aston Villa, having started life in Sutton Coldfield, near Aston.
I believe my 39 years as a member of the Church of England, together with my experience of
church leadership, preaching, evangelism, prayer, ecumenical relationships, safeguarding,
local government, youth work and community service, give me a broad experience from which to
serve.
It would be an honour to serve the House of Laity on General Synod. I would be very grateful
for your support and your first preference vote.
With my prayers and thanks.

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