General Synod Election Candidates 2026

Charlie Thomson
Team Rector of Melksham
[email protected]
Candidate for House of Clergy
Dear clergy friends,
I am seeking your vote for election to the General Synod
to serve as a grounded, constructive, and parish-rooted
voice for the clergy and worshipping communities of the
Diocese of Salisbury.
Having served in parish ministry through periods of
significant change, I remain convinced that the local
parish—where people are baptised, marriages are
blessed, the sick are visited, and the Gospel is proclaimed
Sunday by Sunday—remains the beating heart of the
Church of England.
As Synod faces complex legislative, cultural, and financial
choices, my pledge is to represent you with theological
integrity, practical realism, and a deep commitment to
seeing our churches thrive rather than simply manage
decline.

1. Mission & Evangelism

I am excited about the future of the Church of England! Where the Gospel is proclaimed with
clarity, prayer is prioritised, and local communities are genuinely loved, God surely brings fruit.
In our local context, we have been privileged to see God at work: welcoming new families, seeing
adults come to know Jesus through Alpha, celebrating adult baptisms, and deepening youth
engagement. This growth is not the achievement of one leader; it is the fruit of God’s Spirit
working through a dedicated community of volunteers, readers, and lay leaders. It proves that when
we invest confidence in the local church, ordinary parishes can experience renewed life and
hope.
I want Synod to give local churches the freedom, confidence and resources to evangelise, make
disciples and serve their communities, rather than burdening clergy with unnecessary
administration.

1. The Power of the Parish

Growing up outside the Anglican tradition, I came to be captivated by the power of the local parish
as a lay assistant in rural Gloucestershire, and despite the rapid societal shifts we’re currently
witnessing, I’ve personally never been more excited about ‘nuts and bolts’ ordinary (yet also
extraordinary) frontline parish ministry.
Previous roles
Associate - Battersea Rise, Southwark (2019-21)
Curate - Upper Chelsea, London (2016-19)
Ordinand - St Mellitus, London (2013-16)
Mission Partner - Crosslinks, Johannesburg (2013)
Parish Worker - Moreton, Gloucester (2010-12)
Other commitments
Chair, Salisbury DEF
Member, Salisbury Diocesan Synod
Council of Reference, CPAS

I believe passionately in the local church, and want to see parishes properly resourced so
they can continue doing the faithful, everyday ministry that sits at the core of our Anglican identity.
Yet across the country, vacant posts and ever-larger multi-parish benefices are placing increasing
pressure on parish ministry. Over the coming quinquennium, I believe Synod needs to commit to a
root-and-branch rethink of how we resource sustainable parish ministry: through renewed
investment in vocations and frontline clergy numbers, but also through creative local partnerships
and confident lay leadership.

1. Clergy Wellbeing

Following a particularly demanding season in ministry, I was recently able to access support for
counselling and therapy services for the first time. I have been incredibly grateful for the help I've
received, and am keen to champion clergy wellbeing at a national level, to create a culture
where seeking support is normalised and easily accessible for all. As a member of General Synod, I
would advocate for increased resources, improved awareness, and practical and systemic changes
so that every minister has the support they need to thrive.

1. Passion for Unity

I love it when we get beyond our various tribes and groupings to come together in mission. It’s
heartbreaking to see the church so deeply divided by aspects of the LLF process, so whilst I remain
committed to the Church of England’s received doctrine of marriage, I want us to move
forward together, finding a path that enables us to remain united in Christ. As a member of
General Synod, I would advocate for a way forward that fosters genuine unity rooted in both truth
and grace, by working across the traditions to find solutions rather than compound the problem. I
would seek to be a thoughtful and independent-minded member of Synod: willing to listen, willing
to challenge, and willing to work with people with whom I disagree.
Thank you so much for reading - I’d be hugely grateful for your first or second preference. If
you’d like to get in touch to ask anything about what I’ve written above, or about something I
haven’t had space to mention, please do get in touch!
Proposer:
Jenny Nelson
Rector, Holy Trinity, Bradford on Avon & Ass. Rural Dean of Bradford Deanery
Seconder: Mike Tufnell
Team Rector, Canford Magna Parish

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