General Synod Elections
The General Synod of the Church of England is the governing body or ‘parliament’ of the Church of England. It was created in 1970 to replace the older Church Assembly.
General Synod has the power and influence to make laws (called ‘measures’), shape the policies and practices of the Church, and oversee certain budgets and appointments. It is elected every five years (often referred to as a quinquennium). The Synod usually meets twice a year (a working week in London in February, a long weekend in York in July) and occasionally in London for three days, including at the start of each ‘quinquennium’).
The Synod has three Houses:
- House of Bishops – senior bishops of the Church
- House of Clergy – elected priests and deacons
- House of Laity – elected lay (non-ordained) members
Here is short Church of England film explaining more about the General Synod and the forthcoming elections.
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
Elections to the General Synod 2026
General Synod membership elections take place every five years. Elections for membership of the General Synod from 2026 to 2031 will take place in the early autumn of this year.
- Clergy members are elected by other clergy in their diocese
- Lay members are elected by the lay membership on deanery synods).
- Every diocese has its own elections.
So while ordinary churchgoers don’t vote directly in most cases, they influence the process through church representation structures.
Key dates for elections to General Synod in 2026
*Source: Church of England (PDF)
Synod Membership Requirements
General Synod members are required to attend all/most meetings during the five years they are a member. It also means that you are a member of your Diocesan Synod.
How the Voting Works at General Synod
The Synod has three Houses (Bishops, Clergy, Laity) and the process differs slightly for each. Synod elections use a Single Transferable Vote System.
