Overview
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The General Synod of the Church of England is the governing council or 'parliament' of the Church of England. General Synod has the power to, among other things, make church laws and oversee budgets. It is elected every five years and usually meets twice a year in London and York. There are three houses of General Synod: the House of Bishops, the House of Clergy and the House of Laity. On the right is a short video explaining the elections for General Synod this year.
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Key information
Elections for membership of General Synod for the 2026 to 2031 term will take place in the early autumn of this year. The House of Clergy are elected by other clergy (ordained priests and deacons) in their diocese.
The House of Laity are elected by the lay (non-ordained) membership on deanery synods (local councils of churches, of which there are multiple in a single diocese).
Each diocese of the Church of England elects members to the House of Clergy and the House of Laity. So while ordinary churchgoers don't vote directly in most cases, they influence the process through church representation structures.
In order for ordinary churchgoers to have their voice heard, they must either be members of deanery synod or in contact with their church's deanery synod representatives to let them know their thoughts and wishes for the future of the Church of England, or they could stand for the House of Laity in their diocese.
The House of Laity are elected by the lay (non-ordained) membership on deanery synods (local councils of churches, of which there are multiple in a single diocese).
Each diocese of the Church of England elects members to the House of Clergy and the House of Laity. So while ordinary churchgoers don't vote directly in most cases, they influence the process through church representation structures.
In order for ordinary churchgoers to have their voice heard, they must either be members of deanery synod or in contact with their church's deanery synod representatives to let them know their thoughts and wishes for the future of the Church of England, or they could stand for the House of Laity in their diocese.
Key dates*
*Source: Church of England (PDF)
Why stand for General Synod?
Especially for evangelicals, one of the main focuses of church activity is Gospel ministry and evangelism. However, the decisions of General Synod can affect these key pillars of Christian work. During the last twelve months, a large number of issues have been debated, including:
- New safeguarding structures for the Church of England
- Living in Love and Faith
- Mental health and welfare
- Clergy discipline
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This is just one of the reasons why it is important that evangelicals have their voice heard in the General Synod elections this year. Below are some short, helpful explanatory documents about how one is elected to General Synod and what being a member of General Synod entails.
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The makeup of General Synod*
*Source: Church of England (PDF)
