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Election Address

I’ve always enjoyed the gentle irony of my name being “Samuel”, “one who hears God” when I was born with moderate hearing loss in both of my ears. Samuel can also mean “one who is called by God” and my life’s story was one of resisting following in my Father’s footsteps as a vicar until God, and indeed the Church of England, convinced me otherwise. As a result I was ordained in 2018/19 in the Diocese of Norwich, served my curacy in rural Norfolk (in the Diss Team Ministry, a team of 5 parishes which became a team of 11 in that time) and I came to Penn and Tylers Green in the Buckingham area of the Oxford Diocese in June 2023. Earlier this year I joined the Deanery Leadership team, supporting the Area Dean and Lay Chair for Amersham Deanery.

In recent months I have been discerning a calling to stand for General Synod and as such am offering myself in the hopes of being a ‘reasonable, holy, and lively sacrifice’, seeking to serve God, the Church of England, and the Diocese of Oxford. I offer myself as myself, by which I mean that I intend to be a person of living faith who carries their convictions honestly whilst being willing to engage with and listen to other people, stories and perspectives. 

When it comes to Churchmanship I have always viewed myself as something of a spiritual mongrel. My father, the Revd Canon Stephen Thorp, and my maternal grandfather, the Revd Canon John Short, brought me up in a low church evangelical faith centred on faithful preaching. My time at the London School of Theology, where I did my BA Theology, was aimed at discovering what I believed for myself. There I was immersed in a broad range of theological perspectives (with Anglicans, Pentecostals, Baptists, Catholics, and non-denominational folks all robustly discussing baptism, for example) with people from various cultures around the world, whether British, American, European, African, South American, and even students from the middle east and China. Whilst there I had a powerful encounter with God which freed me from long term struggles and transformed my studies. During my MA at Cranmer I had the opportunity to experience High Anglo-Catholic worship on placement and followed the best advice I was given on my first day – Spiritually, eat what you are given. That is, there’s often a spiritual benefit even outside of our comfort zones. My Training Incumbent, Revd Canon Tony Billett, used to say that I was an evangelical in the pulpit and a catholic behind the altar. 

So why do I want to stand for General Synod? 

Firstly because I’ve been unable to shrug off the sense of calling to offer myself. 

Secondly, because I love the Church of England and the faithful people who so generously and selflessly give so much of themselves to support the ministry of the Church, whether that be in visible roles on Sunday mornings or quietly behind the scenes as the engines that keep things ticking over. I want to add my voice to the support and encouragement of those on the ground, not simply through kind words but by contributing to shaping the processes and structures that will undoubtedly be changing around them as we approach the upcoming retirement cliff and the drastic reduction in clergy numbers.

One of my theological strengths has always been systematics, and that sense of ‘big picture’ awareness of how different details in different areas might interact with each other or cause ripples in other areas is something I would bring to Synod, particularly when it comes to the balance(s) of power(s) between “the centre” and the grassroots.

Whilst I recognise the importance of resolving the impasse left from the LLF process I am concerned that it has displaced other important conversations. My scriptural convictions mean that I hold to Canon B30 and the teaching that marriage is between a man and a woman, and my pastoral heart desires to see a positive vision for the flourishing of human sexuality within a Christ centred proclamation of the Gospel.

The Gospel of Christ has to be the root of our faith and ministry, and never before has the mission field been so filled with opportunities. The decline of Christian norms, the increasing lack of biblical literacy, and the rapidly evolving technological context of our lives leaves the Church navigating new waters. My prayer is that we have been labouring in the night with limited success, but that Christ will call the Church of England to cast the net into the waters once again – and near swamp the boat with fish. 

However I have to acknowledge that part of why I am standing now is more personal. I have mentioned my deafness. This is caused by a genetic condition called Ushers Type 2 which has also presented me with Retinitis Pigmentosa; which means my sight is deteriorating from the peripheral to the centre. I am now registered as Severely Sight Impaired and use a white cane. For the time being my sight is such that I can read, and I believe I shall be able to for at least the next five years. But I wouldn’t want to gamble on being able to read visually in ten years. Nevertheless my faith sustains me with joy and hope, and I would like to offer that witness to the Church as well. 

As such this is the occasion for me to offer myself for your consideration. I pray that even if we don’t overlap on our perspectives perfectly. you will consider me as a brother in Christ who can faithfully and sincerely represent you, seeking to serve the Diocese of Oxford and the Church of England to the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

With Every Blessing,
Revd. Samuel S. Thorp
Vicar of Penn and Tylers Green

September 2026

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Supplementary Questions

The Diocese of Oxford asked all candidates to answer the following questions, with a 120 word limit to the answers.

What are the biggest challenges facing the Church of England and how would you seek to address them through your participation in General Synod?

The impending crisis of rapidly diminishing numbers of clergy in mission facing roles is highlighting a severe identity crisis to which we cannot afford to be reactionary but must be intentional as we enter into it. 

Two things are true simultaneously:
the Church cannot continue on as it has done, ‘restructuring’ of some kind is inevitable;
the concept of the role of a priest is defined by the ordinal and not the budget.

I would champion both clergy and laity in their sacrificial efforts for the sake of the Gospel, pursuing the ideal of what has been associated with parish ministry and ‘cradle to grave’ spiritual care for communities, whilst being alert to practical constraints which will shape the future.

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What do you think General Synod’s priorities should be in supporting and sustaining parish ministry, including how Church Commissioners’ resources are directed towards parishes where assistance is most required?

My background is rural multiparish ministry, both by upbringing (Dad’s a vicar) and curacy (‘minster model’ serving 11 parishes). I serve two parishes presently. Rural Ministry is the bread and butter of the CofE and needs support alongside urban initiatives in order to avoid ‘Gospel deserts’. However, endless amalgamation is unwise. Synod must help grassroots discern strategic closures without undermining future success in growing vocations.

Younger vocations need prioritising, and to be well resourced by deep, formational and predominantly residential training to prepare them to inhabit structures of ministry that are sustainable long term. 

The Church Commissioners resources should primarily support doing the basics well; training ordinands, supporting clergy, and funding initiatives which support rather than burden struggling Churches. 

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In light of changes to the Listed Places of Worship grant scheme, how do you think General Synod should respond to the financial pressures of maintaining and repairing church buildings, and what role should Government play in supporting this?

The change from LPWGS to Places of Worship Renewal Fund (PWRF) has been daunting especially for Churches such as I serve in which face financial challenges whilst being in ‘affluent’ areas that are not eligible under deprivation metrics.

Synod should encourage the Church Commissioners to offer a supplementary fund to support Churches that are not eligible under PWRF, though perhaps with a modest cap aimed at supporting smaller yet vital works.

General Synod could lead an ecumenical push with the Church of Scotland, the Catholic Bishops Conference, the Baptist Union, the Methodists etc. – and engage other faith representatives as well – to advocate for the government to reduce the VAT rate for listed buildings repairs to 5% or lower.

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What is the best way forward for our Church when we disagree on a matter, including one which is not covered in the historic formularies (the BCP, the 39 Articles and the Ordinal)?

Where matters fall within our historic formularies – such as creedal faith, sacraments, and marriage – Synod must remain faithful to the inheritance of faith she has received. 

On other matters, we cannot allow synodical quarrels to distract from local mission.

The Ordinal makes clear our primary purpose is ‘to be messengers, watchmen, and stewards of the Lord’. Moreover, we should fashion our ‘lives after the rule and doctrine of Christ, that [we] may be wholesome and godly examples and patterns for people to follow.’ So let us model charity, integrity, and respect.

As the late Rt Revd Alan Wilson once told me: “So long as we can work together for the Gospel, I don’t mind what differences we have.” 

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In what ways do you put your faith into action in local and national social and political life?

Simply put, I pray. 

I preach the Gospel, I love the person in front of me, I listen to people and offer my perspective when appreciated. 

In local life I pray, and I seek to be an authentic part of the community that can be trusted.

In national life I pray, and with what discernment and choices are available to me I place my vote. 

I do not have a national platform, but believe that whatever the scale impact is achieved person to person. I listen to and advise working class couples with the same care and attention that I listen to the very wealthy and influential, because God knows each of us by name, not by class or ‘status’.