General Synod Election Candidates 2026

Rev’d Jonathan MacNeaney
Vicar, St Mary and St John the Divine, Balham

Proposed:
The Venerable Bridget
Shepherd
Archdeacon of Wandsworth

Seconded:
Mthr Berni Excell
Vicar of South Beddington
and Roundshaw

Who am I
I’m the vicar of St Mary’s Balham where I’ve served for almost four years. I was ordained 14 years
ago, aged 24. I served my curacy in Chelmsford Diocese and arrived in Southwark after a sojourn
across the river in London Diocese. I love serving as a priest and, God willing, I will do so for
another 30 years and then beyond into retirement. I’ve got a lot of years ahead of me so I’d like to
be a part of shaping the future!
In the Church, God is calling together his people from all the ends of the earth. The Church is
where the Spirit flourishes. It can be a frustrating place, a hurtful place, sometimes downright
exasperating. We are a group of flawed and divided people. But I believe that Jesus Christ is the
hope of the world and the church is called to be the messenger of liberation and salvation.
I want to represent you on synod. Please consider giving me your first preference vote. Not least
because, as nerdy as it sounds, I really like synod. Someone has to enjoy proficient administration
and conscientious oversight, and it’s me. For fun I practice Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, the art of folding
clothes while people are still in them.
What I have to offer:
Experienced Synod Representative
•
I was ordained in Chelmsford in 2013 where from 2015-2017
I sat on General Synod.
•
In 2017 I moved to serve in London Diocese and, as required,
resigned my place on Synod. I returned as a Southwark
representative during the most recent quinquennium.
•
I took part in General Synod’s Shared Conversations in
Human Sexuality. These formed the groundwork to the Living
in Love and Faith material.
Inclusive Candidate
• I am committed to equality, at all levels and roles within the church, regardless of gender,
disability, ethnicity, socio-economic status, mental health or sexuality. I am fully supportive of
the vision of Together for the Church of England and the Inclusive Church Network. I wrote my
masters thesis on the place of autistic people within the Kingdom of God.

Lover of the Parish
•
I believe that the purpose of the Church is: to share the good news of the gospel of Jesus
Christ; to make disciples; to pray; to break bread together; to care for the sick and those
who are oppressed; and to allow ourselves to be used by the Holy Spirit in God’s work of
transforming people’s lives.
•
Synod must support this ministry by careful financial scrutiny and investment of resources
to the areas most in need. In Southwark this means arguing for our urban estates who
receive unjustly little national funding.
•
I retain love for the rural working-class community in which I grew up and the small parish
church that sent me.
•
The environment is the existential issue of our day. Unless the church leads in
decarbonisation and green stewardship there will be no parishes to care for.
•
Well-resourced parish ministry has been the lifeblood of generations of faithful Christian
witness in this nation. It is effective for the kingdom and supports healthy flourishing clergy.
I will fight for it.
Committed to the Wider Church
•
I’ve served as an Assistant area director of ordinands in Kensington episcopal area and am
currently serving as an ADIME in Southwark.
•
I serve on the Diocesan Council of Trustees where, through its three constituent bodies, we
hold responsibility for policy, financial and pastoral decisions.
•
I am the area dean of Tooting.
•
I’m a trained, practicing spiritual director.

I am committed to inclusive catholic principles and dedicated to
kindness towards those with whom I disagree. I love God and I love
the Church of England. I want the Church to declare the love that
God has for all people in Jesus Christ.

If you would like me to represent you on General Synod then I would urge you to give me your
first preference vote.
If you would like to discuss further any matters arising from this address then please contact me:
[email protected]
07949468905

A word from Archdeacon Bridget, my proposer.

“Jonathan is person of integrity who is driven by his
love for God and for the Church. He is not afraid to ask
challenging questions, nor to propose creative and
innovative solutions to the problems we face.”

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