General Synod

The General Synod decides on key issues in the life of the national Church of England, ranging from legislative and policy decisions to more routine matters.

The Synod is given power by Parliament to pass ‘Measures’ which, on approval by Parliament, become part of the law of the land. General Synod also has a strong interest in current affairs and social issues.

General Synod Elections 2026-2031

Four new clergy and four new lay members are being elected to General Synod this year.

Full details, including timetable for election are available on the Church of England website: Elections to Synod

Key Dates

nominations closed – 07 September 2026
voting opens – 21 September 2026
hustings for lay elections – 05 October 2026, 7pm online
hustings for clergy elections – 06 October 2026, 7pm online
voting closes – 13 October 2026 (12 October for postal votes)
results declared by 19 October 2026

Structure

General Synod is elected every five years by a system of proportional representation. It is made up of three Houses: Bishops, Clergy and Laity with a maximum total number of members of 467. The House of Bishops includes all diocesan bishops plus seven suffragan (or assistant) bishops. In addition to clergy elected from the dioceses, the House of Clergy also includes cathedral deans, a representative of prison chaplains and clergy employed in the universities. The House of Laity is composed chiefly of lay people elected from the dioceses. General Synod meets two or three times a year in London or York.

Candidates standing for election

Nominations for election opened on 14 August and closed on 7 September 2026. The number of nominations have exceeded the number of seats in both houses, there will therefore be an election for both the House of Clergy and the House of Laity. The voting period starts on 21 September and ends on 12 October (for postal ballots) and 13 October (for electronic ballots). The count will take place on Thursday 15 October and results will be announced on 19 October.

The lay Deanery Synod members in the diocese vote for lay candidates, and the clergy in the diocese vote for clergy candidates. For those who are eligible to vote, voting will be via an online portal (or by post for those who had previously advised the Presiding Officer that they do not have an email address).

The following candidates are standing for election in the Diocese of Sheffield, election addresses are included for all those who have submitted them:

About candidates’ Election Addresses

To help voters make an informed decision, candidates have been invited to share a statement explaining why they are seeking election and what qualities or experience they would bring to the role. All candidate statements received are displayed on this page.

The inclusion of a statement does not indicate that the Diocese of Sheffield supports or recommends any particular candidate.