Candidate Statements

However, in March I received a strong call to the vacant Trinity Benefice in Folkestone and, that call having been affirmed by the relevant people, I am due to be inducted as vicar there in October.

I originally decided to stand for synod because, as the proud father of a lesbian daughter and someone who has campaigned for greater equality and inclusion in the church since my ordination in 2005, I wanted to do my bit to try and resolve the current impasse on the issue of same-sex marriage.

I suspect that this is where we will end up eventually but, as I said, I would like to help make this happen as soon as possible because our inability to bless same-sex couples or allow LGBT priests to marry, negatively impacts a lot of people and, as our former Archbishop Justin said, is catastrophic for the witness and mission of the church.

As I write, I am working on a project with a group of people – several of whom have radically different views from mine on the issue of human sexuality – but who, like me, were deeply concerned by the synod’s recent response to the Kairos 2 document which has caused distress to many in the British Jewish community.

I was brought up as a Roman Catholic.

Then, after a few years in the wilderness of, first, atheism and then New Age Paganism (not Satanism, whatever you may read in the Telegraph!) I came back to faith in a Pentecostal church.

My wife and I then joined a Baptist church when we moved from North to South London.

However, I quickly found myself appreciating the breadth and freedom of it and, to the horror of my Pentecostal and Baptist friends, became one of the dreaded ‘Liberals’ I would previously have railed against.

However, I quickly found myself appreciating the breadth and freedom of it and, to the horror of my Pentecostal and Baptist friends, became one of the dreaded ‘Liberals’ I would previously have railed against.

I am committed to equality for everyone – at all levels and in all roles within the Church – regardless of ethnicity, gender identity, disability, neurodiversity or mental health.

On the matter of sexuality I have supported an inclusive view – not as a divisive issue, but because I believe that the God of Love wants to bless us all through mutual, committed, loving relationships.

Mission and Public

Gospel — The world-changing good news of Jesus Christ At the heart of my life, work and ministry is the firm belief that Jesus Christ is good news for today’s world.

Gospel — The world-changing good news of Jesus Christ At the heart of my life, work and ministry is the firm belief that Jesus Christ is good news for today’s world.

This conviction shapes the way I approach each issue that comes before Synod, as I ask: How does this proclaim the Gospel?

Mission — Structures that serve the work of God While I recognise the need for change and fresh initiatives, the Church’s mission must be built on the bedrock of parish ministry.

People’s lives are touched, communities are changed, and churches grow through the faithful witness of local churches.

As a founder of the AI Christian Partnership, and a member of the Mission and Public Affairs Council, I would seek to spearhead debate in this vital area.

As DDO, my aspiration is to treat everyone – from whatever tradition or background – with equity and impartiality.

Alongside my regular work, I have been involved in a variety of unusual projects from AI to disability.

Alongside my regular work, I have been involved in a variety of unusual projects from AI to disability.

Founder member of the AI Christian Partnership.

I am committed to equality for everyone – at all levels and in all roles within the Church – regardless of ethnicity, gender identity, disability, neurodiversity or mental health.

I am committed to equality for everyone – at all levels and in all roles within the Church – regardless of ethnicity, gender identity, disability, neurodiversity or mental health.

I am committed to equality for everyone – at all levels and in all roles within the Church – regardless of ethnicity, gender identity, disability, neurodiversity or mental health.

I am committed to equality for everyone – at all levels and in all roles within the Church – regardless of ethnicity, gender identity, disability, neurodiversity or mental health.

Technology — A wise response to the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Technology – especially AI – is changing the world in ways that would have seemed impossible until recently.

Technology — A wise response to the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Technology – especially AI – is changing the world in ways that would have seemed impossible until recently.

While AI has been addressed by the Pope and Archbishop of Canterbury, it has not been tackled by General Synod.

As a founder of the AI Christian Partnership, and a member of the Mission and Public Affairs Council, I would seek to spearhead debate in this vital area.

It’s because I recognised these demands that I set up the diocesan Clergy Wellbeing Forum some years ago.

At General Synod, I will continue to speak up for clergy welfare especially in the areas of stipends, pensions and working arrangements.

While AI has been addressed by the Pope and Archbishop of Canterbury, it has not been tackled by General Synod.

While AI has been addressed by the Pope and Archbishop of Canterbury, it has not been tackled by General Synod.

During my time as a parish priest, I saw first-hand how patient presence produces things you couldn’t have planned: a congregation that grew by seventy percent, a children’s and youth ministry that expanded six-fold, and a community that began to believe in itself.

During my time as a parish priest, I saw first-hand how patient presence produces things you couldn’t have planned: a congregation that grew by seventy percent, a children’s and youth ministry that expanded six-fold, and a community that began to believe in itself.

I am committed to equality for everyone, at all levels and roles within the church, regardless of disability, economic power, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, learning disability, mental health, neurodiversity, or sexuality.

I am committed to equality for everyone, at all levels and roles within the church, regardless of disability, economic power, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, learning disability, mental health, neurodiversity, or sexuality.

Until recently worked as the National Programme Manager for Mothers’ Union developing the work MU does on modern slavery, domestic abuse and prison work.

Until recently worked as the National Programme Manager for Mothers’ Union developing the work MU does on modern slavery, domestic abuse and prison work.

I am aware that concerns around safeguarding have been a sginificant issue oer the past 5 years and I warmly welcome moves towards the establishment of an independent safeguarding body to scrutinise the Church of England in this respect.

I am aware that concerns around safeguarding have been a sginificant issue oer the past 5 years and I warmly welcome moves towards the establishment of an independent safeguarding body to scrutinise the Church of England in this respect.

I believe that safeguarding is so very important that I have taken on the role of the Business Committee trustee with responsibility to safeguarding within the diocese.

We must look at how we all, as the body of Christ, carry out the mission of the Church and proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom to the people of today.

We must look at how we all, as the body of Christ, carry out the mission of the Church and proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom to the people of today.

I am committed to equality for everyone, at all levels and roles within the church, regardless of disability, economic power, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, learning disability, mental health, neurodiversity, or sexuality.

I am committed to equality for everyone, at all levels and roles within the church, regardless of disability, economic power, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, learning disability, mental health, neurodiversity, or sexuality.

I am committed to equality for everyone, at all levels and roles within the church, regardless of disability, economic power, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, learning disability, mental health, neurodiversity, or sexuality.

I am committed to equality for everyone, at all levels and roles within the church, regardless of disability, economic power, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, learning disability, mental health, neurodiversity, or sexuality.

I have a physical disability which I try desperately to ignore!

Social Justice is REALLY important to me.

Social Justice is REALLY important to me.

Until recently worked as the National Programme Manager for Mothers’ Union developing the work MU does on modern slavery, domestic abuse and prison work.

The people of today are worried about climate change, cost of living, the safety of their family.

The people of today are worried about climate change, cost of living, the safety of their family.

Whilst I am aware that at a local level there are dioceses which are struggling, I am not convinced that the way to deal with this is to cut back on clergy numbers.

Being part of a network of Diocesan Presidents from around the United Kingdom means that I am aware of the challenges faced by other dioceses.

Whilst I am aware that at a local level there are dioceses which are struggling, I am not convinced that the way to deal with this is to cut back on clergy numbers.

I have always been very aware of the issues faced by rural churches, but I am now working as the Director of Derby MultiFaith Centre, which has opened my eyes to the challenges and rewards of living, and worshipping, in the city.

My new role has shown me the immense value of ecumenical and interfaith work within the community.

My new role has shown me the immense value of ecumenical and interfaith work within the community.

In the last year, you might have found me at my own church (largely), at a Taize service, a cathedral evensong, an ecumenical group service based in Coventry's Chapel of Unity, an LGBT friendly charismatic service and an open air communion.

If I was successful in joining the General Synod, I would work hard particularly with those agendas which prioritise those with a reduced voice: whether due to disability, ethnicity, neurodiversity, poverty, sex or gender identity.

Although I became a Christian at university in London, and worshipped then at one of the HTB church plants (St Barnabas), my life afterwards has taken me to an Anglican evangelical church in Loughborough, an ecumenical church plant in Cardiff, a traditional church with more formal services and a robed choir and now to where I find myself today.

Although I became a Christian at university in London, and worshipped then at one of the HTB church plants (St Barnabas), my life afterwards has taken me to an Anglican evangelical church in Loughborough, an ecumenical church plant in Cardiff, a traditional church with more formal services and a robed choir and now to where I find myself today.

In Coventry, I have been the doctor to a wide ranging group of patients: those with long roots in the city, those more recently arrived, asylum seekers and refugees, and students coming for a time.

In Coventry, I have been the doctor to a wide ranging group of patients: those with long roots in the city, those more recently arrived, asylum seekers and refugees, and students coming for a time.

I have a longstanding interest in mental health.

If I was successful in joining the General Synod, I would work hard particularly with those agendas which prioritise those with a reduced voice: whether due to disability, ethnicity, neurodiversity, poverty, sex or gender identity.

If I was successful in joining the General Synod, I would work hard particularly with those agendas which prioritise those with a reduced voice: whether due to disability, ethnicity, neurodiversity, poverty, sex or gender identity.

If I was successful in joining the General Synod, I would work hard particularly with those agendas which prioritise those with a reduced voice: whether due to disability, ethnicity, neurodiversity, poverty, sex or gender identity.

lam currently a member of my PCC and

Previously I was on PCC at

Although I became a Christian at university in London, and worshipped then at one of the HTB church plants (St Barnabas), my life afterwards has taken me to an Anglican evangelical church in Loughborough, an ecumenical church plant in Cardiff, a traditional church with more formal services and a robed choir and now to where I find myself today.

In the last year, you might have found me at my own church (largely), at a Taize service, a cathedral evensong, an ecumenical group service based in Coventry's Chapel of Unity, an LGBT friendly charismatic service and an open air communion.

Finally, making the church assessable to all is extremely important to me, so I am committed to equality for everyone, at all levels and roles within the church, regardless of gender, disability, ethnicity, socio-economic status, mental health or sexuality.

I’ve spent the last eleven years working with the Buckingham Area Team as an Area Dean for rural mission and development.

I’ve spent the last eleven years working with the Buckingham Area Team as an Area Dean for rural mission and development.

This work has allowed me to work closely with communities and mentor ministers to explore pioneering mission work in rural areas, develop new strategies and reorder resources.

I based this on our commitment from 1990 where the Anglican Consultative Council declared the fifth mark of mission: To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life on earth.

Since being in the diocese, I have also held other posts simultaneously, including advisory work on rural and disability with the DAC, CMD training, mediation work and specialist pastoral care with parishes in distress.

I remain on several national rural, disability and environmental groups.

I remain on several national rural, disability and environmental groups.

Finally, making the church assessable to all is extremely important to me, so I am committed to equality for everyone, at all levels and roles within the church, regardless of gender, disability, ethnicity, socio-economic status, mental health or sexuality.

Finally, making the church assessable to all is extremely important to me, so I am committed to equality for everyone, at all levels and roles within the church, regardless of gender, disability, ethnicity, socio-economic status, mental health or sexuality.

Finally, making the church assessable to all is extremely important to me, so I am committed to equality for everyone, at all levels and roles within the church, regardless of gender, disability, ethnicity, socio-economic status, mental health or sexuality.

More recently in response to our national biodiversity crisis I delivered a Private Members Motion to challenge our Church Commissioners to reconsider their land portfolio to help respond to the current ecological emergency.

and commitment to challenge, offer my time and energy to seek the right answers and finally my call of over 25 years of experience in ordained ministry across four different dioceses to help initiate a future of hope.

There are always big themes, big questions facing the church, not least Living in Love and Faith; each Synod and each quinquennium has its issues that we can anticipate and those we cannot.

Accepting that difference and diversity are a part of life means being aware that the topics of race, wealth and poverty, sexuality, neurodiversity, mental health and well-being are things that affect us all because we are a community.

There are big questions for us around inclusion, finance, clergy numbers, safeguarding, lay ministers and around what we believe and practice as a Church.

Despite the pressures, I believe the CofE still has a precious and unique place in our society, with all sorts of missional opportunities.

The commands to love both God and neighbour are non-negotiable, and those efforts start close to home for each of us – with our families, those we live next door to, or work alongside – seeking to share the good news of the gospel of Jesus with them, supported by our own church community.

The commands to love both God and neighbour are non-negotiable, and those efforts start close to home for each of us – with our families, those we live next door to, or work alongside – seeking to share the good news of the gospel of Jesus with them, supported by our own church community.

Licensed as a Team Vicar, in my current post as House for Duty, I am the incumbent of the Oak Hill Parishes, responsible for Worship, mission and outreach in Alderton, Dumbleton, Gt Washbourne and Wormington.

Licensed as a Team Vicar, in my current post as House for Duty, I am the incumbent of the Oak Hill Parishes, responsible for Worship, mission and outreach in Alderton, Dumbleton, Gt Washbourne and Wormington.

Paramount though, is our commission to mission as exemplified in the Five Marks of Mission, where we show Christ’s love to others in service, in combatting injustice, in caring for our world and in the proclamation of his good news and the nurture of those who have come to faith.

Paramount though, is our commission to mission as exemplified in the Five Marks of Mission, where we show Christ’s love to others in service, in combatting injustice, in caring for our world and in the proclamation of his good news and the nurture of those who have come to faith.

Paramount though, is our commission to mission as exemplified in the Five Marks of Mission, where we show Christ’s love to others in service, in combatting injustice, in caring for our world and in the proclamation of his good news and the nurture of those who have come to faith.

I’m willing to contribute thoughtfully to discussions, contributing to debates on social, policy, and public issues and enthusiastic in playing a part in helping the Church live Christ’s story today, in and for the world As we look to the next sessions of General Synod, I would like the opportunity to bring my commitment, experience and passion for the growth of the Church and the mission of Jesus.