13/02/2025
The General Synod of the Church of England has voted to strengthen the role of young adults in shaping the Church’s future, passing a motion to embed their voices more systematically in national decision-making.
The motion, brought by The National Society for Education, will establish a group of up to 200 young adults (ages 18-25) from across all dioceses. These young people will contribute directly to Synod’s discussions through surveys, reports, and presentations. Up to five representatives from the group will attend each Synod session, ensuring that young adults’ perspectives are heard in a structured and sustained way. The initiative also seeks to encourage more young adults to stand for election to Synod in the future.
The decision builds on previous commitments made in July 2023, when Synod called for greater engagement with children and young people. Following that resolution, initial funding was secured through the Archbishops’ Council to support this work. This latest step affirms the Church’s commitment to becoming ‘younger and more diverse’, embedding young adults’ voices at the heart of its governance.
Mr Kenson Li, who moved the motion on behalf of the National Society, said:
“This motion is really about encouraging everyone to be intentional about listening and learning from our younger brothers and sisters wherever we encounter them. But it is first and foremost an encouragement to the young people outside this chamber; with this motion we are saying to them: we need you, we need your voice, we want to be challenged about the assumptions we make here in your absence, and most importantly, we need to hear your voice because we cannot understand the Church’s mission without you.
“We hope that this space will enable each participant to deepen their Christian discipleship, a space for sharing spiritual gifts; it is about creating cross-cultural encounters and journeying together. This is why we will be intentional in including young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, ethnic minority groups, those who are disabled, those who are neurodiverse, and those from LGBTQIA+ communities.
“I hope that through this process, more young people will see themselves as belonging here in this chamber, and that a change of culture and perception will mean more of them will be elected to Synod in their own right in the next quinquennium.”
The Bishop of Portsmouth, Jonathan Frost, who Chairs the National Society, added:
“We must create space … where profoundly different, unheard, or unrepresented voices can emerge beyond our cherished echo chambers.
“We need their voices now; to be the whole body of Christ, discerning Christ’s way for us together, not just in the future, but today.
“The proposal being co-created will provide a structured, supportive, and safeguarded way for young people to express their views, navigate the complexities of synods, and, I trust and pray, become those who will serve in synod in the years ahead.
“As a diocesan bishop, I’m already making a note of those I should encourage to step forward, and I will be asking my fellow bishops to do the same!”
The group of young adults will meet regularly, with at least one in-person gathering per year and additional online meetings. Their contributions to Synod will be carefully planned in collaboration with the Business Committee, ensuring a well-structured and meaningful engagement with national discussions.
The initiative will be overseen by the National Society for Education, working in partnership with National Church teams to ensure safeguarding, leadership development, and structured engagement. The newly formed group will be drawn from across all dioceses, with up to 200 participants meeting termly to discuss issues affecting the Church. Up to five young adult representatives from the group will contribute to Synod sessions, ensuring their perspectives inform key debates and decisions.
The Church of England remains committed to fostering a ‘younger and more diverse’ Church and hopes the initiative will encourage more young adults to stand for election to Synod in future quinquennia.
An amendment brought by Mrs Clare Williams (Norwich) was carried, which added encouragement to link the new plans to opportunities for those under the age of 18 to have their voices heard.
The motion was passed overwhelmingly by a show of hands.