General Synod Election Candidates 2026

DAVID
SYDENHAM
2026 General Synod
Election Address
07526 818 151
[email protected]
St Nicholas, Stevenage
House of Laity
AT A GLANCE

Lifelong Christian of
30 years

Involved in music,
lay ministry,
youth work and
community outreach

Served on two Deanery
Synods in recent years
MY PRIORITIES

Reaching out in our
local parishes

Looking ahead to the
next generation

Easing administrative
burdens

Revising the vacancy
process to maintain
healthy churches
Dear elector,

Thank you for taking the time to read my election address. The Church of England
faces some key challenges at the present time, including the need for clear
theological direction, the lack of recognition of our historic position in our
country, and the practical hurdles of dwindling clergy numbers and changing
patterns of parish ministry. The decisions made in the next quinquennium of
General Synod may well set the course of our church for the next generation or
more, and accordingly these elections are of great importance. May I encourage
you therefore to pause for prayer and reflection with each address that you read.

If you have any questions about this address or my candidacy, I’d be delighted to
answer them. Please do get in touch using the details above.

ABOUT ME

Church has been part of me for as long as I can remember. My parents were
heavily involved in the church where I grew up, and before long I was too. Now at
30, I am serving on the staff team of St Nicholas’ Stevenage, particularly
supporting our young people, men’s groups, community outreach and music.
Before this, I spent a number of years in Birmingham in the software industry
and also served on Deanery Synod there, among other areas of church life.

Music has always been central to my experience of church. I loved singing from
a young age and have been involved in church music groups and choirs wherever
I’ve been. More recently I’ve written an album of songs for the church (find me
on Spotify or wherever you get your music!).

Summer camps have been another highlight of my life of faith, and played a
significant part in my personal decision to call Jesus my Lord as a teenager. As
an adult I’ve continued to enjoy serving on them, making the most of
opportunities to speak openly with teenagers about Christ, develop leadership
skills, and spend sunny days outside playing games!

Much of my free time is spent on sport, whether running, cycling, playing Ultimate
Frisbee or kicking footballs. I’ve always got time for a good board game with
friends, and what’s left goes on TV, social media or gaming.
NOMINATION

Proposer: Amanda Steele,
Stevenage Deanery

Seconder: Nigel Challis,
Rickmansworth Deanery

KEY ISSUES

Localising mission. Our communities are waiting to hear about Jesus. Many people I speak to in St Nicholas’ parish
have intentions of coming to church, but the busy nature of modern life pushes it to the back of their minds. A simple
invitation is all it takes to change the pattern of their lives, and that is something any churchgoer in any parish can
do to reach our nation for Christ. The local church needs to be equipped to work in its local harvest field.

The next generation. The Church of England is ageing – it’s no secret. We need to take action to enable today’s
children and young people to hear and respond to the good news of Jesus, to grow deep roots of faith grounded in
Scripture and church community, and to build up leaders who can shepherd the next generation. The Church of
England has a rich history, but we must not cling to the past so much as to lose the future.

Freeing up resource for ministry. The administrative burden placed on parishes and clergy stretches many of them,
especially small congregations, beyond their limits. The necessity of adhering to every policy (however well-intended
it may be) hampers resources from being fully deployed towards the church’s vocation of “proclaiming the good
news of Jesus Christ afresh in each generation”. Work is needed to streamline and simplify them.

Keeping thriving churches going. The process for appointing vicars to vacant parishes is not fit for purpose at present.
Interregnums cause untold amounts of stress, division and uncertainty for PCCs, and to use a biblical metaphor,
sheep who are left shepherd-less are prone to wandering off. The process needs thorough review, so that thriving
churches can continue to thrive through smooth transition of oversight.

WHY SUPPORT ME?

I am committed to the Church of England, both at local
and national levels, longing for it to thrive and grow in
depth and breadth. I see daily examples of how God is
at work around us, and I want to help parishes across
the country make the most of the rising tide of faith.

Having served on the staff teams/PCCs/councils of
four churches across three counties, I’ve already
gained a breadth of experience of the challenges of
church life, and have (God-willing) many years ahead
of me to bring forward progress in our national church.

MY COMMITMENT TO YOU

After prayerfully considering my current situation and
the call for candidates to stand, I am ready to dedicate
myself to serving the diocese of St Albans as a
member of General Synod in the next quinquennium.
If elected, I will endeavour to do so with:
•
Open ears - ready to hear and voice your
concerns about ministry in your parish
•
Open book - keeping biblical priorities at the
forefront of my policies and voting
•
Open heart - prayerfully committing the
decisions and discussions to the Lord.

YOUR VOTE MATTERS

Thank you for reading to the end of this address. I would be very grateful if you would consider allocating one of your
highest-preference votes to me. I value your prayers, your support, and your insights from your own parish.

Yours with every blessing in Christ,

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