accountability,broad church,catholic,chaplaincy,charismatic,churches together,clergy discipline,diocesan structures,dioceses,disability,equality,eucharist,evangelical,gay,gospel,inclusive,inclusive church,justice,lgbt,liberal,liberal catholic,liturgy,marriage,mission,ordinands,poverty,sacrament,sacramental,safeguarding,save the parish,stipendiary,survivors,tradition,traditional,victims,young people

Election Address

Daniel Valentine

Chichester

House of Clergy

Full Election Address Text

The Rev’d Daniel Valentine
Vicar of Cuckfield & Bolney
Candidate for the House of Clergy - Diocese of Chichester

Proposer: The Rev’d Sam Maginnis - Team Vicar, Horsham; CEECA Chair
(2022–2025); former member of General Synod
Seconder: The Rev’d Jules Middleton - Vicar, St Edward’s Burgess Hill; former
member of General Synod

Why I am standing
Þ I am optimistic about the Church of England. I am simply not optimistic about carrying on as we
are.
Þ I am standing for General Synod because I believe in a Church rooted in its parishes, confident
in its faith and sacramental inheritance, generous in its breadth, genuinely inclusive - and
prepared to reform itself.
Þ I support Save the Parish, Together and Inclusive Church. For me, those commitments belong
together.

About me
I am a parish priest, solicitor, CEECA/Unite representative and former member of General Synod,
standing in the liberal catholic and broad-church tradition.
My ministry has included suburban, inner-city and now semi-rural parishes, alongside education,
airport and Army chaplaincy. My parish is busy and growing.
During my previous time on General Synod, I was involved in reform of clergy discipline and
consistently supported better governance, proper scrutiny and more transparent decision-making.
I am a liberal catholic because I believe in the Eucharist and the sacraments, ordered ministry, serious
theology, good liturgy and music, and the importance of our parish churches.
I am broad-church because I want catholic, evangelical, liberal, charismatic and traditional Anglicans to
flourish. There is no single authentic way of being Anglican and no single model of mission.
We don't always need another strategy. Sometimes we need more confidence in simply being the
Church and preaching the Gospel.

Save the Parish - parish, presence and priesthood
The parish gives the Church of England something remarkable: a Christian presence in every
community, for everyone.
I reject the assumption that fewer stipendiary priests, ever-larger benefices and Mission Communities
are inevitable.
Collaboration can strengthen mission. But putting more churches together, giving them fewer clergy
and calling the result “mission” does not make it so. We cannot cut our way to growth.
I want more priests among people, with time to know and serve their communities - not fewer priests
managing ever-larger ecclesiastical units.
That means resisting parish amalgamations and Mission Communities where their real purpose is
simply to manage clergy cuts, and directing more of the Church's considerable resources towards
front-line parish ministry.

Together and Inclusive Church - belonging means equality
I am openly gay, a member of Inclusive Church, a supporter of Together, and an advocate for equality
within the Church.
I support the full and equal ministry of women and equal marriage in the Church of England. I don't
want another generation of LGBT+ ordinands wondering how honest it is safe to be; gay clergy editing
their lives for fear of the consequences; or LGBT+ young people wondering whether the Church's
welcome really includes them.
Nor should sex, ethnicity, disability or background determine how fully someone can belong, minister
or flourish.
I respect conscientious theological disagreement. That is part of being a broad Church. But respecting
disagreement cannot mean postponing equality indefinitely.

We have spent years talking about LGBT+ people. It is time we started treating them equally.

Follow the money - and demand better governance
The Church of England is not poor. So why does poverty always seem to arrive at the parish first?
Priests are declared unaffordable while substantial resources continue to be spent on national and
diocesan structures, strategies and initiatives.
I want much tougher scrutiny of the National Church Institutions and dioceses.
What are we spending? What has it achieved? Who decided it? And who is accountable when it fails?
The National Church Institutions are not the headquarters of a corporation. Dioceses are not regional
offices. Parishes are not delivery units for centrally devised strategies.
The structures of the Church exist to support its mission, not the other way around.
As a lawyer, I am particularly troubled by governance in which everyone seems to have participated
but nobody ultimately appears responsible.
General Synod should follow the money, test the evidence, demand accountability - and sometimes be
prepared to say NO!

Safeguarding which commands confidence
The Church has grievously failed victims and survivors. We must acknowledge that plainly and learn
from it.
I want safeguarding which is professional, properly independent, compassionate, timely and
accountable.
I also believe in due process and fair treatment. Those principles are not in competition.
Good safeguarding requires both.

So, some reasons not to vote for me...
Þ If you are satisfied with the status quo, I am probably not your candidate.
Þ If you think fewer parish priests, ever-larger benefices and Mission Communities are the
inevitable future, don't give me your preference.
Þ If you think the Church can call itself inclusive while women, ethnic minorities and LGBT+
people still encounter barriers to equality, don't give me your preference.
Þ If you think the National Church Institutions and dioceses are delivering good value, our
governance is sufficiently accountable, or that the Church has got safeguarding right, don't give
me your preference.
BUT….
Þ if you want money spent in parishes rather than vanity projects and mission initiatives often to
the detriment of the local parish church;
Þ if you want more priests, stronger parishes and genuine equality;
Þ if you want the money followed and our institutions properly scrutinised; and,
Þ if you want someone who loves the Church of England enough to challenge it…
then I hope you will give me your first preference vote.

Voting
This is an STV election, so you do not have to choose only one candidate. Please support those who
share your priorities and rank the candidates in the order you would like to see them elected. If my
priorities resonate with you, I would be very grateful for your support.

Any questions? Please get in touch - E: [email protected] T: 01444 454007
Daniel
Save the Parish. Together. Inclusive Church.

Parish. Inclusion. Sacrament. Justice. Accountability.

Terms used in address

accountability,broad church,catholic,chaplaincy,charismatic,churches together,clergy discipline,diocesan structures,dioceses,disability,equality,eucharist,evangelical,gay,gospel,inclusive,inclusive church,justice,lgbt,liberal,liberal catholic,liturgy,marriage,mission,ordinands,poverty,sacrament,sacramental,safeguarding,save the parish,stipendiary,survivors,tradition,traditional,victims,young people

Theological Tradition Terms

broad church,catholic,charismatic,evangelical,inclusive,inclusive church,liberal,liberal catholic,save the parish,traditional

Theological Tradition Sentences

I am simply not optimistic about carrying on as we are. Þ I am standing for General Synod because I believe in a Church rooted in its parishes, confident in its faith and sacramental inheritance, generous in its breadth, genuinely inclusive - and prepared to reform itself. Þ I support Save the Parish, Together and Inclusive Church. ------ About me I am a parish priest, solicitor, CEECA/Unite representative and former member of General Synod, standing in the liberal catholic and broad-church tradition. ------ I am a liberal catholic because I believe in the Eucharist and the sacraments, ordered ministry, serious theology, good liturgy and music, and the importance of our parish churches. ------ I am broad-church because I want catholic, evangelical, liberal, charismatic and traditional Anglicans to flourish. ------ Save the Parish - parish, presence and priesthood The parish gives the Church of England something remarkable: a Christian presence in every community, for everyone. ------ Together and Inclusive Church - belonging means equality I am openly gay, a member of Inclusive Church, a supporter of Together, and an advocate for equality within the Church. ------ That is part of being a broad Church. ------ So, some reasons not to vote for me... Þ If you are satisfied with the status quo, I am probably not your candidate. Þ If you think fewer parish priests, ever-larger benefices and Mission Communities are the inevitable future, don't give me your preference. Þ If you think the Church can call itself inclusive while women, ethnic minorities and LGBT+ people still encounter barriers to equality, don't give me your preference. Þ If you think the National Church Institutions and dioceses are delivering good value, our governance is sufficiently accountable, or that the Church has got safeguarding right, don't give me your preference. ------ Save the Parish. ------ Inclusive Church.

Sexuality, Marriage & LLF/PLF Terms

gay,lgbt,marriage

Sexuality, Marriage & LLF/PLF Sentences

Together and Inclusive Church - belonging means equality I am openly gay, a member of Inclusive Church, a supporter of Together, and an advocate for equality within the Church. ------ I support the full and equal ministry of women and equal marriage in the Church of England. ------ I don't want another generation of LGBT+ ordinands wondering how honest it is safe to be; gay clergy editing their lives for fear of the consequences; or LGBT+ young people wondering whether the Church's welcome really includes them. ------ We have spent years talking about LGBT+ people. ------ So, some reasons not to vote for me... Þ If you are satisfied with the status quo, I am probably not your candidate. Þ If you think fewer parish priests, ever-larger benefices and Mission Communities are the inevitable future, don't give me your preference. Þ If you think the Church can call itself inclusive while women, ethnic minorities and LGBT+ people still encounter barriers to equality, don't give me your preference. Þ If you think the National Church Institutions and dioceses are delivering good value, our governance is sufficiently accountable, or that the Church has got safeguarding right, don't give me your preference.

Safeguarding Terms

safeguarding,survivors,victims

Safeguarding Sentences

Safeguarding which commands confidence The Church has grievously failed victims and survivors. ------ I want safeguarding which is professional, properly independent, compassionate, timely and accountable. ------ Good safeguarding requires both. ------ So, some reasons not to vote for me... Þ If you are satisfied with the status quo, I am probably not your candidate. Þ If you think fewer parish priests, ever-larger benefices and Mission Communities are the inevitable future, don't give me your preference. Þ If you think the Church can call itself inclusive while women, ethnic minorities and LGBT+ people still encounter barriers to equality, don't give me your preference. Þ If you think the National Church Institutions and dioceses are delivering good value, our governance is sufficiently accountable, or that the Church has got safeguarding right, don't give me your preference.

Evangelism, Mission & Church Growth Terms

gospel,mission

Evangelism, Mission & Church Growth Sentences

There is no single authentic way of being Anglican and no single model of mission. ------ Sometimes we need more confidence in simply being the Church and preaching the Gospel. ------ I reject the assumption that fewer stipendiary priests, ever-larger benefices and Mission Communities are inevitable. ------ Collaboration can strengthen mission. ------ But putting more churches together, giving them fewer clergy and calling the result “mission” does not make it so. ------ That means resisting parish amalgamations and Mission Communities where their real purpose is simply to manage clergy cuts, and directing more of the Church's considerable resources towards front-line parish ministry. ------ The structures of the Church exist to support its mission, not the other way around. ------ So, some reasons not to vote for me... Þ If you are satisfied with the status quo, I am probably not your candidate. Þ If you think fewer parish priests, ever-larger benefices and Mission Communities are the inevitable future, don't give me your preference. Þ If you think the Church can call itself inclusive while women, ethnic minorities and LGBT+ people still encounter barriers to equality, don't give me your preference. Þ If you think the National Church Institutions and dioceses are delivering good value, our governance is sufficiently accountable, or that the Church has got safeguarding right, don't give me your preference. ------ BUT…. Þ if you want money spent in parishes rather than vanity projects and mission initiatives often to the detriment of the local parish church; Þ if you want more priests, stronger parishes and genuine equality; Þ if you want the money followed and our institutions properly scrutinised; and, Þ if you want someone who loves the Church of England enough to challenge it… then I hope you will give me your first preference vote.

Doctrine & Formularies Terms

eucharist,sacrament,sacramental,tradition

Doctrine & Formularies Sentences

Society, Justice & Inclusion Terms

disability,equality,justice,poverty

Society, Justice & Inclusion Sentences

Together and Inclusive Church - belonging means equality I am openly gay, a member of Inclusive Church, a supporter of Together, and an advocate for equality within the Church. ------ Nor should sex, ethnicity, disability or background determine how fully someone can belong, minister or flourish. ------ But respecting disagreement cannot mean postponing equality indefinitely. ------ So why does poverty always seem to arrive at the parish first? ------ So, some reasons not to vote for me... Þ If you are satisfied with the status quo, I am probably not your candidate. Þ If you think fewer parish priests, ever-larger benefices and Mission Communities are the inevitable future, don't give me your preference. Þ If you think the Church can call itself inclusive while women, ethnic minorities and LGBT+ people still encounter barriers to equality, don't give me your preference. Þ If you think the National Church Institutions and dioceses are delivering good value, our governance is sufficiently accountable, or that the Church has got safeguarding right, don't give me your preference. ------ BUT…. Þ if you want money spent in parishes rather than vanity projects and mission initiatives often to the detriment of the local parish church; Þ if you want more priests, stronger parishes and genuine equality; Þ if you want the money followed and our institutions properly scrutinised; and, Þ if you want someone who loves the Church of England enough to challenge it… then I hope you will give me your first preference vote. ------ Justice.

Clergy Concerns Terms

clergy discipline,stipendiary

Clergy Concerns Sentences

During my previous time on General Synod, I was involved in reform of clergy discipline and consistently supported better governance, proper scrutiny and more transparent decision-making. ------ I reject the assumption that fewer stipendiary priests, ever-larger benefices and Mission Communities are inevitable.

Church Structure & Policy Terms

accountability,chaplaincy,diocesan structures,dioceses,liturgy,ordinands

Church Structures & Policy Sentences

My ministry has included suburban, inner-city and now semi-rural parishes, alongside education, airport and Army chaplaincy. ------ I am a liberal catholic because I believe in the Eucharist and the sacraments, ordered ministry, serious theology, good liturgy and music, and the importance of our parish churches. ------ I don't want another generation of LGBT+ ordinands wondering how honest it is safe to be; gay clergy editing their lives for fear of the consequences; or LGBT+ young people wondering whether the Church's welcome really includes them. ------ Priests are declared unaffordable while substantial resources continue to be spent on national and diocesan structures, strategies and initiatives. ------ I want much tougher scrutiny of the National Church Institutions and dioceses. ------ Dioceses are not regional offices. ------ General Synod should follow the money, test the evidence, demand accountability - and sometimes be prepared to say NO! ------ So, some reasons not to vote for me... Þ If you are satisfied with the status quo, I am probably not your candidate. Þ If you think fewer parish priests, ever-larger benefices and Mission Communities are the inevitable future, don't give me your preference. Þ If you think the Church can call itself inclusive while women, ethnic minorities and LGBT+ people still encounter barriers to equality, don't give me your preference. Þ If you think the National Church Institutions and dioceses are delivering good value, our governance is sufficiently accountable, or that the Church has got safeguarding right, don't give me your preference. ------ Accountability.

Other Churches & Other Faiths Terms

churches together

Other Churches & Other Faiths Sentences

But putting more churches together, giving them fewer clergy and calling the result “mission” does not make it so.

Youth & Next Generation Terms

young people

Youth & Next Generation Sentences

I don't want another generation of LGBT+ ordinands wondering how honest it is safe to be; gay clergy editing their lives for fear of the consequences; or LGBT+ young people wondering whether the Church's welcome really includes them.