General Synod Election Candidates 2026

As Archdeacon of Cornwall (and having been Acting Archdeacon of Bodmin for the last
eleven months) | find myself involved in many different facets of the organisation of the
Church of England, at diocesan, deanery and local level. | have a good understanding of
the need for safety within the Church, for prioritising the wellbeing of clergy and office-
holders, for being good stewards of both our finances and of our buildings, and of being
a Christian presence in every community. Almost everything that | do involves the
application of statutes, rules, guidance and codes of practice, and those of you who
know me will know that | am a somewhat unlikely enthusiast of canon law.

This interest in how the Church regulates itself developed when | became an Area
(Rural) Dean in the Diocese of Coventry over ten years ago and led to me studying for a
Masters Degree in Canon Law with Cardiff University. My dissertation on the nature of
membership of the Church of England resulted in me being awarded the academic
prize, an accolade that had somehow eluded me during the entirety of my involvement
in education until that point.

It may be helpful to explain a little more about my interest in canon law as you consider
supporting my nomination to serve you on General Synod.

For me, everything begins with God, the source of all things. In the opening verses of
Scripture, we encounter a world that is formless and chaotic, with the Spirit of God
hovering over the waters. God speaks, and through that creative act brings order,
purpose, and beauty from chaos.

That pattern continues throughout the story of faith. As we reflect on God's self-
revelation in Scripture, we develop our theology, our understanding of who God is and
how he calls us to live. Our theology shapes our faith; our faith informs our doctrine; and
when we seek to live out that doctrine together as the Church, we develop the
frameworks, structures, and guidance that help us flourish.

This is why canon law fascinates me. At its best, it is not about rules for their own sake.
Rather, it is about translating God's revelation into the shared life of the Church, helping
us order our common life in ways that reflect his character, mission, and love.

That is why | offer myself as a unity candidate. If elected, | will seek to ask, on your
behalf, whether the decisions of General Synod reflect God's purpose for his Church
and his world. My concern will not be to champion a particular faction or agenda, but to
discern how we can faithfully participate in God's ongoing work of bringing order, hope,
and renewal into a complex and changing world.

| have not always been a Christian, and | have not always been a priest. Before my
ordination, | worked as a Registered Mental Health Nurse alongside some of the most
stigmatised and marginalised people in our society. That experience gave me a lasting
compassion for those who are excluded, a commitment to helping people flourish, and

an understanding of the importance of clear boundaries and sound processes that keep
everyone safe.

These values continue to shape my ministry as Archdeacon, and they are values | would
bring with me to General Synod.

Alongside Save the Parish, | support a Church in which “the pure Word of God is
preached and the Sacraments are duly ministered in every community” across the land.
| also recognise the vital contribution of lay ministry and the significance of the
promises we all make in baptism.

Alongside the Church of England Evangelical Council, “I affirm the faith uniquely
revealed in the holy Scriptures and set forth in the catholic creeds, of which the Thirty-
Nine Articles of Religion are a general exposition.” | welcome generous and respectful
dialogue where differences remain, while believing that our decisions should ultimately
be rooted in the faith we share, even when that faith challenges the assumptions of the
age.

Alongside Inclusive Church, | believe in a Church that welcomes and serves all people
in the name of Jesus Christ; that remains faithful to Scripture; that proclaims the Gospel
afresh in every generation; and that enables all people to discover how wide and long
and high and deep is the love of Christ. | have witnessed first-hand the transformation
that can occur when the Church's invitation is met by the work of the Holy Spirit, and |
am passionate about removing unnecessary barriers to participation in our common
life.

Alongside the Society of Catholic Priests, | believe that the Catholic tradition remains a
rich gift to the Church of England. At the same time, | support a mixed ecology of
worshipping communities, including Mission Initiatives such as those established in the
Diocese of Truro. Our diversity is held together by a deeper unity, for we are one body
because we all share in one bread.

And as a priest of the Diocese of Truro, | believe in a Church that reaches out to
children, young people, and families; that brings good news to those who face
disadvantage and hardship; and that cherishes and cares for God's creation.

| bring to this election the experience of parish ministry, diocesan leadership,
healthcare, and theological study. | am committed to safeguarding, to the flourishing of
clergy and lay people alike, to the faithful stewardship of resources, and to ensuring that
every community is served by a visible and welcoming Christian presence.

As your General Synod member, | would seek to listen carefully, read widely, think
deeply, and vote prayerfully, always seeking the unity, mission, and flourishing of the
Church, and above all, the greater glory of God.

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