General Synod is the national assembly of the Church of England who make decisions on doctrine and practice.
It came into being in 1970 replacing an earlier body known as the Church Assembly. It continues a tradition of synodical government which, in England, has its origins in the medieval period. It consists of bishops, clergy and laity who meet twice a year (occasionally three times) to make decisions on the doctrine and practice of the Church of England. It votes the funding for the work of the church centrally.
As well as matters of worship and discipline, it also addresses wider concerns, national and international, and seeks to articulate a Christian approach to the issues of the day. Elected members serve for five years.
Election Results 2026
The Elections for lay and clergy representatives of the Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich to the General Synod have now concluded. The results of the election are as follows:
Elected to serve as Proctors in Convocation (House of Clergy)
- The Ven Samantha Brazier-Gibbs | Statement Address
- The Revd Fr Benjamin Edwards | Statement Address
- The Revd Canon Christopher (Tiffer) Robinson | Statement Address
Elected to serve as members of the House of Laity
- Ms Helen Clarkson Fieldsend | Statement Address
- Mr Neil Logan Green | Statement Address
- Dr Thomas Simmons | Statement Address
The results sheet can now be downloaded by clicking on the relevant links below:
Results for the Proctors in Convocation (House of Clergy)
Results for the Members of the House of Laity
Synod reports and Further Information
General Synod Report July 2025 | PDF
General Synod Report July 2023 | General Synod Report February 2023 | PDF
General Synod Report February 2022 | PDF | General Synod Report July 2022 | PDF
General Synod Report November 2021 | General Synod Report July 2021 | General Synod Report April 2021 | General Synod Report February 2021 | PDF
General Synod Report November 2020 | General Synod Report July 2020 | PDF
General Synod Elections 2021 | The Church of England | weblink
Further information can be found at: www.churchofengland.org.
Follow the General synod live on X here.
In addition, the amended House of Clergy and House of Laity Election Rules have now been published here:Elections to Synod | The Church of England.