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GENERAL SYNOD ELECTION ADDRESS 2026

HOUSE OF LAITY

ANDY
WALKINGSHAW

“now is the opportunity for the Church to look
outwards with a fresh vision and the confidence of
the Spirit of Christ.”

Who am I?

Born and brought up in Whitehaven, | experienced the joy of going
to church with my parents where | heard the good news about Jesus
and, as a teenager, decided to follow him for myself.

After leaving school, | was an apprentice at a local manufacturing
company before studying engineering in Leeds. | then worked in car
factories in the Midlands where | met and married my wife Ann. We
returned to Cumbria in 1998 and | took on the role of Managing
Director in the Volkswagen dealership my father started. After
leading the business through a period of growth | was able to retire
in 2024 with the aim of dedicating more time to serving the Lord.

| have been worshipping at St John’s Hensingham for over 25 years
serving in youth work, as Warden and in preaching and teaching
ministry. | am currently training to be a Licensed Lay Minister
(Reader) through Emmanuel Theological College and in my spare
time | enjoy running, cycling and walking the fells with Ann.

Why am | standing for General Synod?

The Church of England has been the spiritual home for me and my
family (we have three sons) and we have all been greatly blessed by
it. In this new season of my life, | want to offer my experience and
skills to give back what | can.

| believe that we are custodians of the Church for future generations
and | want to do my part to pass on not only fine buildings, but
thriving, diverse, worshipping Anglican communities across Cumbria
and the rest of the country.

It’s my view that the Synod’s primary focus should be on supporting
parishes on the front line. All local parishes, especially rural and
underprivileged urban ones, should have the best support and
resources the national church can provide to continue with Jesus’
great commission of making disciples.

GENERAL SYNOD ELECTION ADDRESS 2026

HOUSE OF LAITY

What experience do | bring?

In my formative years, | was a member of several
lively non-conformist churches of various sizes
where | served in children’s and youth work and
Bible teaching. | helped to lead the annual Cumbria
Christian Youth Camp at Braithwaite for about 30
years where 140 young people enjoy an outdoor
holiday and hear about the claims of Jesus. | served
as Warden for 6 years at St John’s, and for the past 5
years as elected synod member in Calder Deanery. |
currently lead a home Bible Study Group, and | am
part of the preaching team. Our church in
Whitehaven consists of around 200 people from
many backgrounds and nations and is an absolute
joy and privilege to serve in.

| am about to enter my second year of training to be
a Licenced Lay Minister so that | can better serve the
church family and our Mission Community in
preaching, teaching and theological reflection.

Outside of church life, | worked for 10 years as a
Senior Quality Engineer for two multinational car
manufacturing companies, responsible for all
mechanical areas of the vehicle and travelling
worldwide to audit and authorise suppliers. Then,
for 26 years, | led the family car retail business
through its expansion into a multimillion-pound
turnover organisation recognised for outstanding
customer service, taking as my model the servant
leadership of Christ. The Church is not a business,
but | believe my leadership skills and experience
could bring a helpful perspective to the national
church organisation.

What do | hope to influence in Synod?

Mission

The outgoing Synod has guided the church through
challenging internal issues such as recovery after
Covid, safeguarding failures and Living in Love and
Faith. | believe the 2026 Synod is an opportunity for
a new direction.

After this period of internal reflection, now is
the opportunity for the church to look
outwards with a fresh vision and the
confidence of the Spirit of Christ; holding out
the hope of the Gospel in a broken world.

Ministers

The recruitment and training of ministers, both
ordained and lay, is crucial for the future but during
the period of the last Synod we have lost 900
stipendiary positions. It is an inescapable fact that
churches with faithful ministers (who are not over-
stretched) tend to grow.

| believe we need to turn the tide of what can
feel like managed decline and invest in growth.

Making the Most of the Opportunity

Many people, in particular young people, are once
again interested in meaning and are seeking for truth
both in churches and online. The Church of England
is uniquely positioned to reach every corner of the
country with the hope of Jesus.

| want to determine how we can make best use
of national church finances and resources to
grasp the opportunities God has given us.

Thank you for reading this address, please feel free to contact me should you have any questions.
| would be so grateful if you would consider giving me either your first or highest available preference vote.

If lam elected to General Synod, | commit to be both prayerful in service and to uphold the truth of Scripture.

Yours in Christ Jesus,

t 0M

Proposers:

Davy Jones, St Andrew’s Mirehouse, Whitehaven.

Tony Newgarth, St John’s Houghton & St Peter’s Kingmoor, Carlisle.