General Synod Election Candidates 2026

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ADAM HADLEY
#1 FOR GENERAL SYNOD
Nominated by
Proposed by the
Venerable Nikki Groarke
Archdeacon of Dudley
General Synod Member 2015 - 2026
Seconded by the
The Revd Phil Bradford
Area Dean of Worcester
To clergy electors
Thank you for taking the time
to read my address as I ask
you to consider voting for me
and making me your first
choice in the forthcoming
General Synod elections.
About me
I’m a working class Black Country boy who God called to the Church of England when I was four
years old. So not quite a cradle Christian but I’ve been around the CofE for about forty years. I’ve
worshipped across different traditions and the Church of England holds a special place in my heart
even when I think it gets things wrong. I passionately believe that the CofE can be a force for good
in the life of the nation and in our local communities sharing the good news of Jesus Christ for
everyone to hear. The church I grew up in closed after many years of falling numbers and so I know
the challenges many of our churches face first hand and want to be part of creating a sustainable
solution for the future. I believe that being on General Synod will give me this opportunity.
In my previous career I worked in local government corporate governance and am a complete geek
when it comes to drafting and editing constitutions, implementing good governance, drafting
reports and researching and creating policy – all skills which I could offer to the General Synod.
Local government also gave me experience of working in a large and complex organisation and
wider partnership landscape - not unlike the church. After being ordained I was also the
Independent Person for Standards in Public Life for Dudley MBC for a number of years.
I’m now the Rector and renewal lead of the parish of Kingswinford and Wall Heath having been
ordained in 2018. Before then I was licensed as a Reader in Birmingham Diocese in 2009 and I’m still
committed to the integrity and building up of lay ministry in our churches.
Alongside parish life I’m also:
Chaplain to the Kingswinford Royal British Legion
Padre to Kingswinford Air Training Cadets
an Associate Diocesan Director of Ordinands
a member of Bishops Council, Diocesan Synod, and the DAC
each demonstrating my strong commitment to the wider life of the Diocese.
Outside of work I love to travel, I’m a complete foodie and enjoy eating out, walking in the Peak
District with my partner and watching gritty TV.
07759 900947
[email protected]
Votes need to be in by 13 October
#1

#1 FOR GENERAL SYNOD
Artificial Intelligence and robotics
Inclusion
I believe that full inclusion in the church is
an issue of Christian justice and a living out
of the Magnificat. I wholeheartedly sign up
to the following statement from ‘Together
for the Church of England’:
‘I am committed to equality for everyone,
at all levels and roles within the church,
regardless of disability, economic power,
ethnicity, sex, gender identity, learning
disability, mental health, neurodiversity, or
sexuality.’
I fully support the Church of England being
able to offer same-sex marriages for both
clergy and lay people.
Some key areas for the next Synod and where I stand
I believe that the Church is falling behind
the curve when it comes to talking about
AI and robotics. We need to be
theologically reflecting more on this key
development. We can’t do this in 20 years
time when the ship has sailed. General
Synod should have a pivotal role in
discerning the place of AI and robotics in
the church and articulating a theology of
its place in society and be prepared to
have conversations around sentience, life
and what makes us human.
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Having come to faith at four years old, I
agree with the Biblical mandate to bring
more children and young people to faith
and into the life of the church. I now want
to see General Synod robustly recognise
the wide variety of children and young
people in our society and to offer greater
support for those who need it - such as
looked after children, young carers,
refugee and asylum seeker children and
homeless children. I also want General
Synod to properly recognise and embrace
children and young people whose parents
are LGBTQI+.
As someone who is working class, I believe
that the Church of England still has a long
way to go to ensure equality of
opportunity when it comes to supporting
working class lay and ordained vocations.
This includes more working class people
having the opportunity to become
bishops, deans or archdeacons. If elected
I would want to continue to support the
excellent work of the previous Synod in
this area.
Parish support
I am committed to ensuring that clergy and laity are fully supported to lead churches
in a complex legal environment. I would want Synod to consider how church
governance could be made easier to free people up for mission rather than
administration.
ADAM HADLEY
Children and young people
Working class vocation
I would also appreciate it if you could give a high priority vote to Becky Elliott and Claire Lording

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