General Synod Election Candidates 2026

General synod election, Diocese of Rochester, August 2026

Candidate statement: Reverend Jim Charles

Nominated by: Revd. Paul Kish Seconded by: Revd. Danielle Pearson-Smith

A bit about me

I was elected to General Synod in a by-election in 2025, and it has been a huge
privilege to represent the diocese in discussions and decisions of great significance in
our church. If elected I will continue to make myself available to discuss all that goes
on at Synod.
I’m 59 years old, married to Katherine with 4 adult children. I have been in the
Diocese since 2007, where I have served as firstly Priest-in-charge, then Vicar of St
Peter’s Bexleyheath, after serving my title in Winchester diocese. Before ordination
I worked for 10 years as a teacher of modern languages in further and adult
education.

My ministry beyond the parish has given me experience of the Church at a number of
levels, within Erith deanery, the local ecumenical context and the diocese. I have been
involved in teaching and training programmes for lay people and currently serve as
convenor of the Bishop’s Advisory Group on Deliverance Ministry, as well as being a
member of the Living in Love and Faith chaplaincy team, with a particular brief to
help those who hold to a traditional view of marriage and sexuality. I have also served
as a primary school governor.

A church in crisis – how we respond

I’d like to share my priorities for the coming quinquennium, if elected. Firstly,
shortage of clergy. This hasn’t received the sustained attention it deserves, but the
need is urgent and the potential for damage to the church immense. I would seek to
focus the attention of the national church leadership on increasing the supply of
ordinands, properly resourcing rigorous initial theological education and sharpening
the focus on clergy wellbeing. None of this is to minimise the huge contribution made
by lay people in the life and mission of the church, but high vacancy rates are placing
far too much pressure on retired clergy, and in many places moving forward in
mission is proving very difficult due to a lack of stable ordained leadership.

A renewed focus on mission
Secondly, much of the energy of Synod has been devoted to trying, largely
unsuccessfully, to find a resolution to our internal disagreements. Some of that will
continue, inevitably, in the next quinquennium, and I don’t in any way wish to mini-
mise the strongly-held views behind these disputes, but I would dearly like to see
much more of Synod time devoted to our core purpose, to enabling and resourcing
our mission to the majority of our population who haven’t yet found the joy and
freedom to be found in Jesus Christ.

I’d be very happy to discuss these issues over a coffee or a beer, depending on your
preference, or by phone or email, in the months leading up to the election.

To God be the glory

Jim Charles

[email protected]
07843-719699

chaplaincy,clergy wellbeing,ecumenical,living in love and faith,marriage,mission,ordinands,ordination,sexuality,theological education,traditional,vacancy