finance,mission,safeguarding,save the parish,universities,young people,younger generation,youth

David King
Election Address
Laity Candidate for General Synod Representing Portsmouth Diocese
I am standing for election to General Synod because I care deeply about the mission and growth of the Church
of England, and I want to bring the voice and concerns of our Portsmouth Diocese to the national
conversation.
About me
The Church of England has had a positive impact on my life from an early age, and I was confirmed by the
Bishop of Buckingham in 1998. I have worshipped at Portsmouth Cathedral for the past 7 years having
returned to Portsmouth in 2019 after moving away in 1988. I am a member of Cathedral Chapter and Chair of
the Finance Committee and gain enormous fulfilment from my involvement with the wider team that deliver
the ministry to the Parish, City of Portsmouth and support the Diocese.
I’ve been married to my wife Anne for 36 years and have been blessed with 3 wonderful children who are now
grown up and forging their own lives and careers. I retired from full-time employment in August 2019 after
spending 33 years working in hospitality, shipping and airports, including 20 years at divisional and main board
level, before running my own business for a further 13 years. My consultancy business specialised in advising
and working with shareholders and senior management teams of airports, travel hubs, travel retailers, food &
beverage operators and brand owners, both here in the UK and around the world.

I am currently Chair of Governors and Safeguarding Governor for an early years school, have been a Parish
Councillor for 11 years and a volunteer at Restore Hope, a Christian charity. Previously, I was an elected
Buckinghamshire Unitary Authority Councillor, deputy cabinet member for transport and a Trustee of
Amersham Youth Club and Amersham United Charities.

I have benefitted enormously from working with people from all walks of life and cultures around the world
which has taught me to listen to and value the opinions of others. Understanding what success looks like and
the pathways to appropriate outcomes has been a key learning and helped me ‘to make things happen’ in a
collaborative and timely manner.
Why I'm standing
The Church is navigating significant questions about mission, safeguarding, governance, and pastoral care. The
image of the Church has been tarnished due to safeguarding revelations in recent years and faces real
questions about how to grow, reach new generations, and remain relevant and rooted in its parishes and
communities. The ‘Save the Parish’ agenda articulates many issues including the complexities and outcomes of
funding changes in recent years. I want to help Synod focus on:
●
Supporting parish mission. Ensuring resources and decisions from the centre genuinely help local
churches grow and serve their communities. It is not acceptable that many parish clergy are now
looking after 4 or more parish churches making the task of building meaningful relationships with
local communities very challenging.
●
Reaching younger generations and new communities. There are now more than a million 16- to 24-
year-olds not in education, employment or training (NEETS) that need help and support, and the
Church of England has a role to play in helping young people reach their potential and live fulfilling
and productive lives. Maintaining an active Christian representative in every parish community should
be an absolute priority to reach out to the younger generation and build a sustainable following for
the future. Nurturing relationships with all schools, colleges, universities and established youth
organisations should be a prerequisite.
●
Practical, sustainable growth. Being honest about what's working and what isn’t and learning from
parishes that are thriving – sharing best practices and replicating success.

●
Valuing our people. We are fortunate to have so many wonderful and historic places of worship but
without people they become just soulless artifacts. Our clergy are our beating heart and must be
valued, cared for and supported in their mission to ensure their continued wellbeing. We are blessed
with an army of volunteers that hold our parishes together and support the church in so many ways.
They should be honoured, safeguarded and celebrated. Congregations are the life blood, hard won
and should never be taken for granted.
What I'd bring
I don't come to this with all the answers, but I bring my extensive life experiences, willingness to learn, listen
prayerfully, engage with an open mind, contribute fully and always report back honestly to the diocese about
what's discussed and decided.
My commitment
I would be honoured to serve as your representative and to play a part in shaping the future of our Church
with faithfulness and humility. If elected, I will attend all Synod sessions in full, prepare diligently for debates,
and stay accountable to the 129 parishes and people I would represent across south east Hampshire and the
Isle of Wight.
I would be grateful for your vote.
Thank you.
David King
96 Penny Street, Portsmouth, PO1 2NL