Response submitted after deadline at 17:03 on 16/9/15

  1. How did you come to faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour and how does that shape your life today?

I was brought up in a Christian home and family. In my teen and student years I was faced with the challenge to own my faith and commit to be a disciple of Jesus. Several decades later, I still find it incredible that God in his mercy should chose to extend his grace to me and fill me with his Holy Spirit. Being a disciple for me is now about living each day in the Christ-like manner that Scripture defines and daily asking for his grace to live and work to his praise and glory.

  1. The Church of England is currently engaged in ‘shared conversations’ on issues around human sexuality and there is likely to be a debate in General Synod next year. We know there are deep divisions within the Church of England and indeed the Diocese of Chelmsford on these issues. Archbishop Justin is challenging the church to “disagree well”. What do you think good disagreement should look like? Is this the direction the Church of England should be going?

‘Good disagreement’ is as yet an unclothed ideal and it is impossible at this stage to predict what it might or might not look like. But whatever happens going forward, the church must always seek to demonstrate the passion for both grace and truth that Jesus modelled.

  1. The legislation passed in 2014 to enable women to become bishops is based on five principles held in tension and aimed at mutual flourishing. What confidence do you have that these will achieve the desired effect?

We need to be honest and acknowledge that unity is rarely maintained by accident. So we need to heed the words of St Paul who, in writing to the Ephesians, urged his readers to be patient, longsuffering and loving towards one another. I am confident that - if we are able to heed Paul’s words as we live out the 5 principles – the mutual flourishing we desire can be secured.

  1. The General Synod has recently begun working through a programme under the heading of “Reform and Renewal”. What one change would you prioritise (from within this programme or in addition) for the Church of England?

Much of what is proposed under the ‘Reform and Renew’ agenda is to be commended – and I would want to support it if re-elected. What I would like to see added to the agenda is a revisitation of our understanding and expectancy of ‘episcope’. I believe we expect our bishops to do many things that are not entirely consonant with a New Testament understanding of oversight – and it would be good if we could release them into a refreshed pattern more in keeping with the missional and teaching model portrayed and taught in Scripture.