General Synod Election Candidates 2026

BEN CHEESEMAN Seeking Election to GENERAL SYNOD
Being a Christian is not a private affair. We are
called to go out into the world and transform it,
and a foundational part of Christian life is to be
part of the church, both at the level of the
parish, and as a broader collective. We believe
the Church to be a real and vital institution here
on earth, established by Christ and requiring
governance and guidance by the Holy Spirit,
through its members. I feel called to take part
in that, both as an expression of my Christian
life, and to represent what is a small but
growing population of young churchgoers in
Southwark and across the rest of the country.
I recently took part in the CofE commissioned
Theos research piece ‘Understanding Young
Adult Journeys to Faith in the Church of
England’, giving testimony to my journey to faith
as a young adult. YouGov statistics show that
whilst belief in God increased moderately
amongst 25-49s between 2021 and 2024, it almost tripled amongst 18-24s across the same
period. I maintain that we will continue to see such a trend, and I expect a large influx into the
church from the younger demographic, owing to ever-increasing pressures felt by all of us and in
all areas of our lives, including the rise of social media, the development of artificial
intelligence, political instability, and the climate crisis. It is essential that young people find in
the church, today, a foundation that allows them to stand up in such turbulent times, and one
that does not shy away from addressing the matters of the day yet nevertheless holds at its core
the timeless and eternal message of Christ.
There are therefore key issues which must be addressed and upheld by the Church of England
to ensure that young people feel they can find their home in the church:
Environmental consciousness: A key issue amongst young people, with a CAST report saying
that “[young people] feel much more threatened by [climate change] and have stronger
emotional reactions [to it].” As a first step, looking at ways to address energy inefficiency within
the parish, and setting up sources of renewable energy, while noting the difficulties posed by
financial constraints and practical challenges like sourcing contractors.
Diversity of Belief: Surveys have highlighted how many younger Anglicans followed paths into
the church through avenues as diverse as: New Age Spirituality, Roman Catholicism, Eastern
Orthodoxy - often not through direct Anglican paths. It is essential that the Church of England
continues to allow all parts of itself to exist, affording the various temperaments and proclivities
of young seekers.

Outreach: That the Church maintains its practices, ensuring a multitude of ‘entry points’ for
young people. For myself this was finding a church that had multiple liturgical services
throughout the week; for many others it’s through local missioning, and increasingly now
through online mediums. What forms and styles appeal to young people change from
generation to generation, research and testimony stress that confidence and authenticity are
key today.
Social Justice: That those whom society has all but forgotten about or rejected, are
remembered and looked after by the church, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds
for whom experiences of discrimination and neglect are commonplace. And that this should be
reflected both at the level of the parish, in coming together as community and through
programmes like Food Banks, Men in Sheds, Boys’ and Girls’ Brigade, but also and most
importantly, by witnessing the Gospel message of repentance and forgiveness through our day-
to-day lives, loving our neighbour regardless of whom that may be, and at what personal cost.
I aim to emphasise the importance of the church maintaining itself in such a way that young
people find it to be relevant and good, yet at the same time to recognise the tension between
that and ‘bending to the spirit of the age’, wherein lies the risk of losing the core mission of the
church; that of the salvation of souls. I think the church should ensure that positions it takes on
today’s issues are backed by intellectually rigorous and theologically careful reasoning, are the
fruit of prayer, and consistent with the principles set forth in the Gospels, informed where
relevant by tradition. I hold to a traditional view of marriage but think there is much to be done to
alleviate the alienation that it can cause, both within the church and without, with more
conversations required, better understanding from both sides, and across different
demographics. It would be a great privilege for me to serve on General Synod, and I am
confident that my voice would be a moderate and considered one, offering insight especially
into those matters relevant to my generation as it finds its footing in the modern world, and upon
whom will fall, in time, the duty of, to safeguard and steward the church into the next.

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