accountability,disciples,discipleship,mission,prayer,scripture,stewardship,sunday school,witness

Jonathan Boardman
Candidate for the House of Laity,
General Synod
Diocese of Oxford
▪ Faithful in witness.
▪ Responsible in stewardship.
▪ Effective in action.
Thank you for your time and care for the future of our
church. I am standing for election to the House of Laity
because I believe we are called to be visible and active in our faith, building God’s Kingdom
through the life and witness of the local Church.
I was born in Sydney, Australia, into an Anglican family, dad was a diesel mechanic, and mum
was a bank teller. My Christian journey began at a Salvation Army Sunday school. Faith has
accompanied me through family life, military service and difficult seasons. In each of these,
Jesus has guided and sustained me. I believe that we are here for more than ourselves: we are
here for our Father’s glory, and Jesus has a purpose for each of us.
I have lived in Marcham since 2016 and worship at All Saints’ Marcham and before at St Mary’s
Shippon. I have served on our Parochial Church Council since 2021. As a father of two
daughters, I value the place of the parish church at the heart of family and community life.
I love the local Church, people building God’s Kingdom through worship, Sunday schools, home
groups and ministries among women, men, children and families. These faithful local efforts
change lives. General Synod should strengthen and support them, ensuring that national
decisions help parishes proclaim Jesus Christ, nurture disciples and serve their communities.
The Church is older than any of us and, as our Father wills it, will endure long after us. We are
therefore temporary custodians of something entrusted to us. We must be faithful stewards of
Christ’s Church, stand firm in our faith and act responsibly for those who will follow.
I feel called to stand now because my faith, life and professional experience have equipped me
for service. My career has included banking, military operations and the leadership in major
government and infrastructure programmes. I specialise in taking complex programmes from
strategy to results, building high-performing teams and establishing the governance,
accountability and practical action needed to deliver lasting change.

As a consultant and coach in transformation and programme integration, I have worked on major
initiatives across defence, nuclear security, infrastructure, technology and public services. I
have advised leaders on governance, organisational change, benefits, risk, value and
responsible investment. I have also led multinational teams in military and international
environments.
This experience has taught me that worthy intentions are not enough. Change succeeds when its
purpose is clear, people are heard, responsibilities are understood and leaders remain
accountable for results. I would bring to Synod an ability to listen carefully, work constructively
across differences, ask difficult but necessary questions and help turn decisions into effective
action.
I am also an active member of the Armed Forces Christian Union and support Christians living
out their faith visibly in the workplace and the Armed Forces. Christian witness is not confined to
Sunday. We are called to serve faithfully wherever God places us.
If elected, I will work to:
•
Keep Jesus Christ, the authority of Scripture and the building of God’s Kingdom central to
our decisions
•
Strengthen local parishes, recognising that worship, discipleship, pastoral care and
mission are carried forward by faithful people in local communities
•
Promote that national initiatives are practical, proportionate and capable of strengthening
local ministry
•
Support greater recognition of lay vocation and Christian witness in workplaces,
communities and public life
•
Listen to the Deanery Synod members of the Diocese of Oxford, represent their concerns
conscientiously and report back faithfully
Our world and country face difficult questions, but we the Church should meet them with
confidence in Christ rather than fear. Good governance cannot replace prayer, faith or the work
of the Holy Spirit. Equally, our faith should strengthen us to exercise our responsibilities with
wisdom, courage and joy.
I would be honoured to serve Christ, the Diocese of Oxford and its parishes as a member of
General Synod. I respectfully ask for your support and prayers. I thank you for your efforts to
build God’s Kingdom.
Jonathan Boardman