General Synod Election Candidates 2026

Revd Olly Latham
Curate | Trinity Church Nottingham
E: [email protected]
M: 07591 192739
If you’d like to talk further or I can serve you in any way, please do get in touch.

I am standing for General Synod because I offer a younger
clergy voice, a commitment to mission among younger
generations and practical experience in formation,
discernment and church growth.

At 25 years old I am early in my ministry, but I am convinced that having a younger perspective
can offer a hopeful sign of the life and growth we are seeing in this Diocese and long for across
the Church of England.

Where this began:
I believe I am well suited to the role because I have sensed God asking me to serve the wider
church in roles like this even before I was ordained. I first served as a Deanery Synod rep in my
first year of university and quickly found that this was not a typical thing for an 18-year-old to do!
During my time training at Ridley Hall, I also served for two years as a student rep on the Durham
Advisory Oversight Group, gaining experience in listening, representing others and contributing
to conversations about theological education and formation. Throughout this, I’ve sadly noticed
that my tradition tends to view synods as “boring and useless”. If elected I will challenge that
perception and invest fresh energy into synods at all levels as key tools to equip Christ’s church
for mission.

As a recently ordained curate, I would seek to represent curate and ordinand voices, including
continuing to shape the discernment and training pathways.

Alongside representing clergy from this Diocese generally, these are some areas on my heart
that I particularly care for:

1. Raising up the next generation

I am passionate about discipling young people and enabling them to discover God’s call on their
lives in both lay and ordained vocations. Much of my curacy so far has focused on the outreach
and discipleship of students and formation of younger leaders.

At Synod I will advocate for investment and innovation in youth, student and young adult
ministry, as well as championing the excellent work in our diocese to invest in and develop
schools ministry.

1. Investment in Churches

I am also greatly encouraged by the increasing number of stories of the good news of Jesus
transforming lives across the diverse churches of our Diocese and beyond.

God is growing his church in many ways through many different contexts and traditions including
rural, estates, suburban, city centre churches. In my experience at Trinity Church Nottingham, I
have seen how resource churches, when they are committed to serving and strengthening the
wider church, can facilitate the wider flourishing of the mission and ministry of Jesus. If elected, I
will contribute to coming conversations on this topic and work to see these and other Church
structures refined and improved at all levels to see the Church of England better able to proclaim
the good news of the Kingdom in every parish and context.

1. Clergy (and family) Wellbeing and Hope

I found the statistics on clergy wellbeing published in the “Lord, for the Years” report genuinely
worrying. As a clergyman and new father to twin girls, I am aware that our lives and ministries can
be drastically affected by decisions made in bodies like this one. I do not take that responsibility
lightly. Rather I want to help tackle the narrative that isolation, depression, burnout, hopelessness
and despair are normal parts of faithful ministry. At synod I will seek to prioritise clergy wellbeing
and support, so that clergy across this Diocese and the wider Church can find renewed hope in
the ministry Jesus has called us into.

Summary:

Representing a new generation of clergy.

Experience serving on academic committees and synods.

Investment in Youth, Student, Young Adult and Schools ministry.

Contribute to conversations around long-term strengthening of all contexts of church.

Prioritise clergy wellbeing and advocate for further support.

Curate equipped to speak into current training and discernment pathways.

It would be a privilege to serve the clergy of this Diocese on General Synod, and I would be
grateful for your first or high preference vote.

Revd Olly Latham

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