Essential Characteristics
- A confident Christian with a lively faith who is a communicant Anglican or member of a Church in communion with the Church of England.
- A passion for the vision and strategy of the Church of England and the mission and ministry of the Church, and to help parishes and dioceses to thrive.
- A listening leader who can build consensus and gain respect.
- A person with experience of chairing groups of individuals with different perspectives and forming them into an effective and inclusive Board.
- A decision-maker who respects and affirms those who disagree and who is able to change his or her mind in the light of others’ insights.
- A readiness to prove, challenge and enquire, combined with pragmatism and realism.
- A persuasive communicator who can articulate the importance of one area of work within a wider strategic vision and who demonstrates honesty and integrity.
- A person with a broad understanding of the Church’s national institutions and who is willing to share in the corporate task of the Archbishops’ Council.
- A person of prayer who will hold the activities and people of the Archbishops’ Council in prayer.
- Substantial experience of delivering change through complex organisations through partnership and learning, leveraging impact through learning, monitoring, and evaluation, at Board or Executive level; demonstrating the ability to think strategically and independently.
- A commitment to and understanding of the issues involved in racial justice.
Desirable characteristics
- A broad understanding of and sympathy for the different traditions within Anglicanism, and theological literacy.
- Experience in fields such as political life, public service, voluntary sector activity or other areas engaging with government, public life and ethics.
- Ability and opportunity to respond to requests rapidly and authoritatively.
Key Relationships
- The Secretary General.
- Chair and Trustees of the Archbishops’ Council.
- Members of the General Synod.
- Key bishops, other Church leaders and staff.
- As appropriate: Members of the Racial Justice Board.
Qualifications
This appointment is open to actual communicant members of the Church of England[1] or members of a Church in communion with the Church of England in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.
Time Commitment
In addition to preparation for and attendance at meetings of the Archbishops’ Council, and meetings of the General Synod, you should expect to be involved yourself in other activities such as participation in committee meetings and working groups, familiarisation visits, training etc. As Chair of the Racial Justice Board, the total commitment could average up to 3-4 days a month. The appointment is for 5 years and can in theory be extended for a further five years, but note the point above about the Governance Reform programme.
As a member of the General Synod, you also become an ex officio member of your diocesan synod, deanery synod and PCC. Appointment is subject to approval by the General Synod.
Expenses
Travelling and subsistence expenses necessarily incurred by members in the execution of their duties are reimbursed in accordance with guidelines issued from time to time by the Archbishops’ Council.
The Archbishops’ Council meets in both the Southern Province (usually London) and the Northern Province.
General
Currently women, persons from a UK minority ethnic background and younger people are under-represented on the Council. Those who are ordained and who bring current experience of parish ministry are also under-represented. Applications from within these groups would therefore be particularly welcomed.
Process
Further information and the timetable are set out in this pack. Expressions of interest should be submitted by 11:59pm Monday 25th May 2026.
[1] “Actual communicant” means a person who has received communion according to the use of the Church of England or of Church in communion with the Church of England at least three times during the twelve months preceding the date of his/her election of appointment being a person whose name is on the roll of a parish and is either: (a) confirmed or ready and desirous of being confirmed; or (b) receiving the Holy Communion in accordance with the provisions of Canon B 15A paragraph 1(b).