New President and Vice-President of the Methodist Conference elected for 2025-26
The Methodist Conference has elected the Revd Richard Andrew to serve as President and Matthew Forsyth to serve as Vice-President, starting their year of office when the Representative Session of the Methodist Conference in Telford in June 2025.
The Revd Richard Andrew is currently chair of the Darlington District. Growing up in rural North Yorkshire, he studied philosophy and theology in London before moving into the South-East and Yorkshire industry.
He trained at Wesley House, Cambridge before joining a circuit in Sheffield, training ministers and teaching theology in a university setting as Director of York Institute and working in the Connexional Team as Director of Learning and Development.
He has a deep passion for the renewal and refreshing of the Methodist Church and the rediscovery of its DNA as a growing, inclusive, evangelistic and justice-seeking church.
He is married to Debbie a former teacher and now a Church and Community Worker in Teesdale with two grown up children, Tom and Becky.
He enjoys walking, reading, hospitality, guitar and watching Middlesbrough FC.
The Revd Richard Andrew says, “I am humbled and excited by the nomination of the Conference. I have always believed that it is essential that we live by hope and I am really encouraged by everything we are doing together as a Church as we join together with God as we seek to be a growing, inclusive, evangelistic and justice-seeking Church.
"God is bringing something new to birth amongst us and I pray we might be open to the leading of the Spirit as we recognise that and follow in the footsteps of Jesus.”
Matthew Forsyth is a local preacher and steward. He is the Mission Team Leader in the Northampton Methodist District. Within this role, Matt leads a diverse team of lay and ordained leaders.
As Mission team Leader, Matt works to see a flourishing sustainable network of circuits of worshipping communities that are growing, evangelistic, justice-seeking, and inclusive in their outworking of the mission of God. That means areas like New Place for New People (NPNP), Justice, Dignity and Solidarity (JDS), and the lay leadership development form key parts of his role. Matt is a member of the Missions Committee and currently serves on the NPNP guiding team.
Having studied Theology, worked as an estate agent, and spent time working as a fundraiser for All We Can to name a few roles, Matt remains firm in his calling to lay leadership. As such, Matt serves as a trustee of a Christian Schools Charity in his home city, Peterborough (CROPS), and offers as a mentor to teenagers in his spare time.
With his wife Amy, his three kids, and bouncy cockapoo, any time that is offered is given to their care and attention. Matt has a deep desire to listen, encourage, and play his part in the flourishing of a church on the journey of being inclusive, just seeking, and evangelistic.
Matt Forsyth says, “I am humbled to serve the church in this role. I am deeply aware of the responsibility to represent the voice of the lay leaders across the Connexion.
"I hope to listen well and work in partnership with the President Designate so that together we can encourage the church to continue its journey on becoming an inclusive, justice seeking and evangelistic church.”