assisted dying,discipleship,ecumenical,evangelical,finance,liberal,llf,marriage,middle of the road,mission,modern slavery,ordination,orthodox,pcc,poverty

Church of England
Election to General Synod
House of Laity September 2026
Election Address from
David Akerman
Hello, I am David
Why Stand?
I am standing for election primarily because I believe very strongly in the value of the parish and that the Kingdom can best be promoted through work in a properly resourced the parish with a priest responsible for the cure of all souls in the parish.
When parishes are properly resourced, I would like the Church to be more outward looking rather than introspective. We need more peace, less poverty, more care for individuals and good care of the planet of which we are but temporary stewards.
The church should be simpler, humbler, and bolder. We need growth through conviction and discipleship rather than nominal affiliation.
Whilst I agree with the LLF process I do not think it should be the focus of church work. We must care for minorities and individuals, but this is best done within our parishes if they have the right resources.
I understand the Spire Project. All slavery is bad -Bishop Wulfstan banned the export of slaves from Bristol, but we still have modern slavery.
I was once in favour of assisted dying, but I have changed my view having gained some knowledge of specific cases.
Journey to Faith
I am still learning to be a Christian but have been on a lifelong journey.
At school in Yorkshire, I received my first divinity prize from Dr Donald Coggan.
I have been part of the Iona community on five occasions and have also resided briefly at Lee Abbey.
A pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela was stimulating as have been visits to Assisi and Rome.
Attending an Exploring Christianity course was interesting and most of the other participants went forward for ordination or readership.
I have worked for Mission Direct in the Dominican Republic and been on a study tour to see something of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.
I describe myself as middle of the road, neither evangelical nor high church but ecumenical and liberal. One of the joys of the Church of England is its breadth.
Background and Professional Life
After a degree in Economics from the University of Warwick and subsequently qualifying as an accountant, I had a long career with blue -chip companies in manufacturing industry and financial consulting. Latterly I was managing director and then chairman of a care business.
My experience in strategic planning, activity-based costing, human relations, operations and logistics provides invaluable experience. I suspect too much of the Church of England resources are spent in diocesan offices and not in parishes.
Personal circumstances.
I am in my 50th year of marriage and we have two children-one doctor and one veterinary surgeon. I am a regular worshipper at the parish church St Peter and St Paul North Curry. I am and have been on the PCC for a long time and have been the treasurer and a churchwarden. I currently chair the finance and fabric committee. I am a bell ringer (still with a lot to learn) and had a significant part in the complete renewal of our eight bells.
I am active in various village activities and clerk to a local ancient charity.
If elected I would like to focus especially on financial and organisational issues which are impeding and not supporting what the Church should be doing in parishes.
I do hope you will list me as one of your candidate choices .Please contact me if you wish.
David Akerman
2 White Street
North Curry
TA3 6HL
01823 490234
[email protected]