General Synod Election Candidates 2026

I have been married to my wife, Alison, for 33 years, and together we are blessed with two adult daughters
and a granddaughter. My professional career spans 40 years in the City of London's insurance sector, most
recently serving as a Global Product Leader for a major multinational insurer. In June 2026, I transitioned
into semi-retirement, providing me with greater opportunity to devote time to voluntary work both within
and beyond church mission.
Having spent my teenage years attending daily school church services, I didn’t continue to attend church
once I left school. It was in my thirties I came to Christ and was confirmed at St Peter’s, Boughton
Monchelsea. There then followed a period of falling away, but the past decade has brought a clear calling to
return to the Lord. This journey has gifted me with a renewed faith, a deep desire to follow Christ, a calling
to serve Him within our rural parish context, and the immense joy of sharing a living faith with my family.
CANDIDATE FOR
General
Synod
Christopher David Williams
WHO AM I?
WHY I STAND
Having sensed God’s call to serve within the Church, I want to continue to discern how I can faithfully
support His mission in my context, and representing General Synod as a Lay Representative is part of that.
I believe the Church of England can flourish if General Synod actively listens to local parishes. My priority
is to ensure the voices of lay people, volunteers and parish priests, including those serving small, rural and
struggling congregations in the western part of our diocese, are heard and acted on at national level.
I am standing for election to the General Synod to serve as a lay member for the Canterbury Diocese, having been
proposed by Antony Harris and seconded by Elizabeth Learmond, both of the Weald Deanery. I love our parish
and as a churchwarden from the west of the diocese I want to bring the everyday realities of parish life into Synod
discussions. Serving on the ground as a Churchwarden has given me a clear view of the joys and strains of
sustaining worship, mission and stewardship of our ancient church buildings. I want to ensure decisions at
General Synod level reflect that lived experience. If elected, I will seek to keep the front-line mission and ministry
of the local church as one of the Synod’s main focuses.
I am passionate for the revitalisation of the church and for all parishes to thrive, and witness as many lives as
possible transformed by the love of Jesus Christ.
I would be grateful for your support in this election as your first-choice candidate, and if not I
would ask you to consider giving me a high preference vote. On the following page is a little more information
about me, my walk with God and what I would like to see prioritised at General Synod.
Yours in Christ,
Chris Williams

● Targeted, accessible funding for parish outreach and mission.
● Streamlined grant and compliance processes so small PCCs are not discouraged by bureaucracy.
● Support for training and mentoring for lay leaders and newly ordained clergy.
● Improved communication flow to and from Synod-Diocese-Parish so Synod decisions are informed by
frontline churches, and decisions are relayed back to them.
● More parity between dioceses to avoid contradictions and duplication of resources.
If elected, I will prayerfully listen to the concerns raised across the diocese, bringing them to Synod with
clarity and humility, and work collaboratively to help shape policies that enable local ministry to flourish. I
offer practical experience, a parish-centred perspective, and a steadfast commitment to supporting both
clergy and laity. Together, we can pray for the future of our church, inviting the Holy Spirit to breathe new life
where it is needed and to guide us in love, service, and discipleship from parish grass roots all the way to
General Synod.
CORE COMMITMENTS
● Champion parish resilience - press for practical support for PCCs, sensible governance, and help
with church buildings and compliance that does not overwhelm volunteers.
● Support local outreach - advocate for funding and simplified processes for foodbanks, youth work,
community partnerships and other parish-led initiatives.
● Care for clergy and lay ministers - press for realistic expectations, better pastoral care, and
accessible training and mentoring for both clergy and lay leaders.
● Respect local context - oppose one-size-fits-all mandates and promote policies that allow dioceses
and parishes to respond to their unique circumstances.
EXPERIENCE IN MY PARISH CONTEXT
I have been a churchwarden at St. Mary the Virgin, Goudhurst for 18 months. In that time, I
have and continue to:
● Work closely with our vicar on pastoral care, recruitment and wellbeing.
● Assist with outreach projects including food provision to local families and individuals.
● Be involved in fundraising for essential repairs and mission initiatives.
● Be actively involved in initiatives to reach men on the edge and fringes of the church.
● Be and remain a trustee of The Friends of St Mary's Association.
● Lead a church Home Group with my wife.
● Serve on the Standing Committee within our PCC
This hands-on experience gives me a clear sense of where there are pressure points at parish level and the
need to raise the profile and priorities of our smaller, rural or struggling churches at Synod level.
PRACTICAL PRIORITIES FOR SYNOD
[email protected]
07790 961476
CONTACT DETAILS
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working
for the Lord.” Colossians 3:23

dioceses,discipleship,mission,outreach,pcc,pccs,retirement,revitalisation,stewardship,witness,youth,youth work