benefice,church commissioners,diocesan board,discipleship,finance,human sexuality,mission,missional,ordination,prayer,safeguarding,sexuality

The Revd Steve Wilcox

Proposed by: The Revd Vicky Earll
Seconded by: The Revd Mark Walley

Thank you for taking the time to read my election
address, and I hope you will consider voting for me.

I have 19 years experience as a parish priest in York
Diocese, and have served on General Synod from
2021-2026. I am passionate about mission and
discipleship, clergy well-being, and the centrality of the parish. I
will shortly begin serving as Associate Archdeacon for Hull:
supporting churches across the city, helping develop mission and
discipleship in the Deanery, and sitting on the Living Christ’s Story
Programme Board. If elected, I would be in a position to represent
the needs of local parishes and the Diocese at a national level, as
well as helping integrate what is positive from the national church
into the life of the Diocese. I am committed to supporting and
encouraging the ministry of female and male clergy from all
traditions.

I would love to hear what you are concerned about. Please feel free to
share your views with me, or any questions you may have, at
[email protected].

My background and context
I have been an Anglican all my life, growing up in an Anglican church, attending Anglican
churches during my formative years and serving in ordained ministry in York Diocese for the
past nineteen years, most recently as vicar of St Peter’s Anlaby and St Mark’s Anlaby
Common for fifteen years. After university I worked for six years as a chartered accountant,
before being selected for ordination in the Church of England.

I arrived at St Peter’s and St Mark’s as the first incumbent of the plurality, so I have
personal experience of leading a multi-parish benefice, and helping two churches learn
how to work together whilst continuing to engage with and serve their parish. During
the past fifteen years I have experienced many of the ups and downs of parish ministry
that all clergy face – including the opportunities for mission and discipleship that
parish life brings; the financial, governance and volunteer challenges; and personal
financial and health (including emotional, mental and vocational) challenges.

I begin as Associate Archdeacon for Hull in early September 2026. Fundamental to the
role is the importance of building relationships with clergy and churches, enabling me
to act as a bridge between parishes and the wider Deanery and Diocese. If elected, this
will give me the opportunity to genuinely represent the views of parish, Deanery and
Diocese and seek to find positive and beneficial ways forward locally and nationally.

Over the past 5 years on General Synod I have made it a priority to attend and vote at
all Groups of Sessions. I have spoken on a number of occasions and sought to
represent the views of those in the Diocese who have contacted me. Within the
Diocese, I have also served on York Diocesan Synod since 2018, and also on the
Diocesan Board of Education for 3 years. I am a member of the Supporting Parishes

consulting group and an MDR reviewer.

I love York Diocese and its rural, suburban and urban contexts. I am a regular visitor to
many parts of the Diocese and am deeply aware that if elected I would be seeking to
represent every part of the Diocese.

Areas in which I might make a contribution
This is an exciting and challenging time for York Diocese and the Church of England. Many
of us are aware of God being at work locally and nationally, but also of challenges (not least
financial). Here are some examples of where I believe that I can make a contribution:

The importance of the parish and finance
I see the parish as the foundation of all ministry in the Diocese and the Church of
England. Research shows that most missional activity takes place in the context of the
parish. Given the enormity of the task before us and the opportunities I am persuaded
that space needs to be made for other expressions of mission and ministry, but they
mustn’t detract from the centrality of the parish. This should be reflected in how
money is distributed by the Church Commissioners (including via the vitally important
LInC funding), and there will be opportunities in the coming 5 years for General Synod
to influence this.

Clergy care and well-being
I have long been an advocate of the importance of clergy care – both care by the local church
and the Diocese, and self-care. I am an enthusiastic supporter of the Covenant for Clergy
Care and Wellbeing and was disappointed that it was not given attention in the last
Quinquennium (though I’m encouraged by the very helpful Living Ministry resources). If
elected I would seek to ensure that this continues to receive the attention it deserves.

Safeguarding
The Church of England is part way through the vital process of ensuring that its safeguarding
processes are fit for purpose, suitably independent whilst also being rightly connected to
Diocesan and parish life. I have experience of the process and debate thus far and would
consider it a privilege to continue to be involved.

Church unity and human sexuality
In the last General Synod vital and difficult conversations were held regarding the different
deeply held views and lived experiences in the Church on matters of human sexuality. Good
progress was made in developing understanding and clarifying boundaries. I seek to operate
as a peacemaker, I have built good relationships with those on all sides of this debate, and I
would hope to continue to play a positive role in the ongoing conversations in the coming
years.

Prayer, and emphasising God’s goodness, faithfulness and provision
In the debating chamber of General Synod there is sometimes a danger of prayer and
theology being neglected. I would seek to continue to highlight the importance of these
matters in helping all debate to be conducted in a hope-filled, confident way.

If I am elected then I do hope that you will feel free to contact me to express your views and
concerns. I should be grateful if you would consider giving me your first, second or third
preference vote.

With thanks
Steve