archbishop,catholic,church commissioners,conservative,disability,discipleship,evangelical,farm,guiding principles,liberal,liberal catholic,marriage,mental health,retirement,sexuality,social action,traditional,vacancy,women priests,young people,youth,youth group

Dr Nick Land

York

House of Laity

Full Election Address Text

Dr Nick Land – Candidate for General Synod 2026-31
Dear Friends
I am standing for General Synod because I love the Lord Jesus and want to serve his
body, the Church.
Personal
I am married to Helen who was a Middlesborough GP and is now a Trustee and
volunteer for the Genesis Christian social action project. We have three adult sons (all
active churchgoers). I am a psychiatrist and until retirement was Medical Director for
an NHS Mental Health and Learning Disability Trust. I am Chair of Members for the Arete multi academy trust. We
both love God's creation and since 2019 have (with the NYMNP) planted 1800 trees on the land we steward!
Local Church
We have worshipped at Christ Church Great Ayton since moving to the diocese in 1994. Over that time I have
served as a Home Group Leader, a Youth Group leader and in 2020 completed my training as a Reader (pictured
above). My most joyful Reader responsibility is leading our discipleship focussed Café Church which has attracted
new families and young people. I have been on Stokesley Deanary Synod for 28 years.
Diocese
I have served on Diocesan Synod for over 25 years and on Archbishop’s Council for 20. I was Chair of the House of
Laity for 12 years until 2024, seeking to ensure that the Lay voice was clearly heard in the diocese. I work collegially
but I am happy to challenge power when this is necessary. I chaired the Vacancy in See committee in our last Arch-
episcopal vacancy and served on the Crown Nomination Committee which nominated Archbishop Stephen. For
many years I have advocated strongly for an Episcopal champion for Children and Young People’s work in the
diocese and I am delighted that we now have one!
Wider Church
I have been a Lay Member of General Synod from 2015 and an elected Church Commissioner since 2024. I am on
the Council of the Christian Medical Fellowship and regularly speak at conferences on Christian perspectives on
mental health and on leadership. I have a particular interest in ‘Every Day Faith’ and what it means to be a
Christian in every area of human life.
Approach to issues in General Synod
I recognise the centrality of the Parish in our life together and the significant work required to support local
churches to flourish. As a General Synod elected Church Commissioner I am convinced that the Commssioners
need to focus a greater proportion of their resources on their core responsibilities of providing poor parishes with
clergy. If re-elected I will advocate strongly for that, both in Synod and the Church Commissioners.
I value the diversity we have in the Church of England. I am an Evangelical but serve in a Liberal Catholic Parish.
Therefore I work to promote those things that maintain unity – for example, whilst I welcome women priests and
bishops, I also support the ‘5 guiding principles’ which allow for traditional Catholics and conservative Evangelicals
to remain a valued part of the church. Similarly, I accept the Churches traditional teaching on marriage, but
recognise that many do not, and have been serving on the General Synod working groups exploring how space can
be made for people with very different views on sexuality to continue to worship in the Church of England.
Given my professional and church experience I believe that I can be an effective Lay Member of General Synod and
an advocate for increased funding for Parishes in the Church Commissoners. My thanks to Ros Brewer
(Scarborough) and Richard Liversedge (Hull) for their nomination, and to you for considering supporting me.
Dr Nick Land - Low Farm House, Ingleby Greenhow, Great Ayton, TS9 6RG – [email protected]

Terms used in address

archbishop,catholic,church commissioners,conservative,disability,discipleship,evangelical,farm,guiding principles,liberal,liberal catholic,marriage,mental health,retirement,sexuality,social action,traditional,vacancy,women priests,young people,youth,youth group

Theological Tradition Terms

catholic,conservative,evangelical,liberal,liberal catholic,traditional

Theological Tradition Sentences

I am an Evangelical but serve in a Liberal Catholic Parish. ------ Therefore I work to promote those things that maintain unity – for example, whilst I welcome women priests and bishops, I also support the ‘5 guiding principles’ which allow for traditional Catholics and conservative Evangelicals to remain a valued part of the church. ------ Similarly, I accept the Churches traditional teaching on marriage, but recognise that many do not, and have been serving on the General Synod working groups exploring how space can be made for people with very different views on sexuality to continue to worship in the Church of England.

Sexuality, Marriage & LLF/PLF Terms

marriage,sexuality

Sexuality, Marriage & LLF/PLF Sentences

Similarly, I accept the Churches traditional teaching on marriage, but recognise that many do not, and have been serving on the General Synod working groups exploring how space can be made for people with very different views on sexuality to continue to worship in the Church of England.

Safeguarding Terms

Safeguarding Sentences

Evangelism, Mission & Church Growth Terms

discipleship

Evangelism, Mission & Church Growth Sentences

My most joyful Reader responsibility is leading our discipleship focussed Café Church which has attracted new families and young people.

Doctrine & Formularies Terms

Doctrine & Formularies Sentences

Society, Justice & Inclusion Terms

disability,farm,mental health,social action

Society, Justice & Inclusion Sentences

I am married to Helen who was a Middlesborough GP and is now a Trustee and volunteer for the Genesis Christian social action project. ------ I am a psychiatrist and until retirement was Medical Director for an NHS Mental Health and Learning Disability Trust. ------ I am on the Council of the Christian Medical Fellowship and regularly speak at conferences on Christian perspectives on mental health and on leadership. ------ Dr Nick Land - Low Farm House, Ingleby Greenhow, Great Ayton, TS9 6RG – [email protected]

Clergy Concerns Terms

retirement,vacancy

Clergy Concerns Sentences

I am a psychiatrist and until retirement was Medical Director for an NHS Mental Health and Learning Disability Trust. ------ I chaired the Vacancy in See committee in our last Arch- episcopal vacancy and served on the Crown Nomination Committee which nominated Archbishop Stephen.

Church Structure & Policy Terms

archbishop,church commissioners,guiding principles,women priests

Church Structures & Policy Sentences

I have served on Diocesan Synod for over 25 years and on Archbishop’s Council for 20. ------ I chaired the Vacancy in See committee in our last Arch- episcopal vacancy and served on the Crown Nomination Committee which nominated Archbishop Stephen. ------ If re-elected I will advocate strongly for that, both in Synod and the Church Commissioners. ------ Therefore I work to promote those things that maintain unity – for example, whilst I welcome women priests and bishops, I also support the ‘5 guiding principles’ which allow for traditional Catholics and conservative Evangelicals to remain a valued part of the church.

Other Churches & Other Faiths Terms

Other Churches & Other Faiths Sentences

Youth & Next Generation Terms

young people,youth,youth group

Youth & Next Generation Sentences

Over that time I have served as a Home Group Leader, a Youth Group leader and in 2020 completed my training as a Reader (pictured above). ------ My most joyful Reader responsibility is leading our discipleship focussed Café Church which has attracted new families and young people. ------ For many years I have advocated strongly for an Episcopal champion for Children and Young People’s work in the diocese and I am delighted that we now have one!