The Right Reverend David Lehmann

Name: David Thomas James Lehmann
Current Office and Location: Bishop of Caledonia, Prince Rupert, BC

List of ecclesiastical offices held including dates (most recent to least recent):

Episcopal ministry:

• Bishop of Caledonia, Prince Rupert, BC, 2018–present

Parish ministry:

• Rector, St. John’s Anglican Church, Fort Smith, NT (Arctic), 2012–2018
• Rector, St. George’s Fort Saskatchewan, AB (Edmonton), 2005–2012
• Rector, Cold Lake, Bonnyville, St. Paul, Ashmont, AB (Edmonton), 2000–2005
• Incumbent, Deh Cho Parish, Fort Simpson, NT (Arctic), 1994–2000
• Intern, All Saints Cathedral (Edmonton), 1992–1993

Ordination information:

• Diaconate: May 22, 1994, Arctic, The Right Rev. Chris Williams
• Priesthood: March 26, 1995, Arctic, The Right Rev. Chris Williams
• Episcopate: January 18, 2018, Caledonia, The Most Rev. John Privett

Other accomplishments:

1990	BA – History – Camrose Lutheran College
1991 – 2010	Naval Reserve Officer (Chaplain and Cadets – various posts and locations)
1994	MDiv – Wycliffe College, Toronto
1997 – 2000	PWRDF Diocesan Coordinator (Arctic)
1996 – 2000	Chair – Justice and Social Responsibility Committee (Arctic)
2000 – 2003	Diocesan Youth Coordinator – East (Edmonton)
2003 – 2005	Chaplain – Cold Lake Regional Hospital
2003 – 2018	Chaplain – Royal Canadian Legion (various locations)
2008 – 2011	Regional Dean – Cold Lake (Edmonton)
2010 – 2012	Chaplain – Fort Saskatchewan Fire Department
2013 – 2017	Chair of the Fort Smith Health Centre Ethics Committee
2012 – 2017	Chaplain – Fort Smith RCMP Detachment
2014 – 2017	Chair of the Board Northern Life Museum and Cultural Centre
2014 – 2017	Regional Dean – Upper Mackenzie (Arctic)
2015 – 2017	Chair of the Advisory Board for Culture – Fort Smith, NT
2017	Member of the Board of Governors for the National Trust of Canada
2018	DD – Wycliffe College, Toronto
2018 – 2024	Member of the Provincial Council for BC & Yukon
2019 – 2023	BC&Y member for the National House of Bishops Agenda Committee
2019 – present	Member of the House of Bishops Standing Committee for Religious Communities
2019 – present	Chair of the Council of the North
2023 – present	Chair of the Board of Governors for the Vancouver School of Theology
2023 – 2025	Member of the Council of General Synod

Personal information:

For over 200 years, my family farmed east of Toronto near the village of Norwood. My generation was the first to be raised off the farm. My pre-school years were spent in Toronto and Edmonton. When my parents were hired into the Northwest Territories, I followed them. I am not a cradle Anglican for I was not raised in the faith. A family friend was ordained to the priesthood and as a teenager without any preparation, I was baptized. (It was made apparent that baptism permitted me to be married and buried in the church. Neither of which I have experienced, yet.)

My faith became a central part of my life in my late teens. On December 23, 1986, I felt called by God to pursue ordained ministry. Camrose Lutheran College was an incredible school where my faith formation continued and an appreciation for ecumenism was fostered. Additionally, there was an emphasis on servant leadership at the college, which I have valued greatly. The intentional focus of Wycliffe College on Biblical and theological studies continued my formation. The Institute for Evangelism formed a curiosity about the necessity of taking the Good News into an ever-changing world.

During seminary, I needed an income, and the Naval reserves provided that. The bonus was an education in pastoral care. Putting aside the stereotype of the military, my experience was less about power and barking orders, and more about care and compassion for fellow service members. The joy in participating in a spontaneous lay-led Bible study and prayer group during basic training, for example. Witnessing this model of ministry inspired me to continue with chaplaincy work throughout my ministry in a variety of forms.

I have been blessed with ministry in small remote communities. (Remote by southern standards, not always mine.) Being in and forming intentional community has been important to me. These need not be long-lived communities, but community life requires work as ruptures and repairs are normal and a healthy expression of reconciliation in action. Community draws me out of myself and into care for others and their journey of faith.

My personal interests have included hiking, kayaking, reading, and cooking. (I have had to be creative in the latter as a bishop for I missed cooking for large crowds.) A love of history has led me to work with museums and heritage boards. As a lifelong learning, I have sought out courses in adult education, theology, anthropology, sociology, and Indigenous languages. Letters mean less to me than the experience and opportunities to engage with fellow students.

God’s love has taught me to find joy in all aspects of life. The Peace of Christ is ever present, especially in difficult conversations and tragic moments. Sometimes I have found that I need to sit and breathe into it. It is said that laughter is the best medicine — this is true as it reflects the joy we have as an Easter people in the power of the Spirit.

A statement by the nominee of his vision of the role of the Primate:

There are times when ministry can be compared to a map. Most ministry in a parish or institution (school, hospital, prison, military contexts, for example) is a Street View.  The focus is on the local context. Episcopal or diocesan ministry takes places at 32,000 feet. This provides for a regional overview and an extended perspective. The Primate would be in geosynchronous orbit. This view is expansive, with opportunity to focus in on both local and global matters. It is from this perspective that the Primate can serve a vast church while taking care to connect the common bonds.

General Synod has embarked on a process of listening and visioning. The work of the Primate’s Commission has outlined critical areas of conversation and tension within the church. It is vital to the life of the church that we don’t shortchange this process, but lean into it. Trusting God’s guidance and being open to the Spirit’s leading will direct the next steps of General Synod and the Council of General Synod.

My commitment would be to a three-triennium Primacy. The first triennium would focus on the completion of the Pathway’s process and establish with the Council of General Synod, Provincial Synods, Dioceses, and other partners the detailed steps to move forward for an implementation over the next two trienniums. Our governance and policies should be in alignment with our vision and mission. Having conversations in years prior to General Synod so that consensus may be built for implementation of changes to our structures would be life-giving and a shift in our practices.

Another goal is to witness with the National Indigenous Anglican Archbishop, ACIP, and Sacred Circle the continued growth of the self-determining Indigenous Church within the Anglican Church of Canada. Significant steps have been taken and there is much to praise God for. The ongoing work of reconciliation will take decades and this the good work of the people of God.

Personally, I want to see joy in the church. Yes, these are days with many stressors and temptations. This should encourage us to rejoice always and show the world that what was old is being made new! God’s goodness cannot be denied, so I want to share that with all the world.

What is the most important challenge, and the most important opportunity, facing the Anglican Church of Canada today, and how would you address them as Primate?

After General Synod 2019, the Holy Spirit reminded me repeatedly of Pilate’s question: “What is truth?” Seeing the deep pain that was expressed triggered for me a need to examine my pain and personal journey. This has required brutal honesty and grace.

I share this, as I feel the greatest challenge for the Anglican Church of Canada is ourselves. The history and heritage of the Anglican Church of Canada is a mixed bag. It might be said that Anglicans enjoy being on a spectrum for every subject. It is as if we take Platonic dualism as a challenge and then struggle to find every expression between extremes. It is not my intent to be flippant, but as I see it, part of the role of the Primate is to hold up the mission and vision of the church and ensure that they are in alignment with what we are doing.

The rules of General Synod are part of the troublesome dynamic we continue to experience. As a body we have a legislative function, but it is in service to our mission and vision. We cannot continue to avoid the hard conversations. Grappling in love with these is the task of the Primate and requires compassion and conviction.

I have observed in my personal and communal journeys that there is a natural draw to return to established patterns. The post-pandemic rush to return to pre-pandemic life, for example. Or the more problematic longing to return to Christendom in a post-modern world. Or the chocolate binge on Easter Day as a Lenten observance is finally over. Understanding this lure, I would strive to complete the transformational work we have begun and avoid relapsing.

The most important opportunity is ourselves too! You are reading this document! Some will be taking time to travel and be present at General Synod. You are committed to the life and mission of Christ’s Church in Canada. You are awesome, and I thank God for you and all within Christ’s church. As the body of Christ, we need to celebrate the blessings we have and share them. I would work for a communication plan that includes more positive stories from across Canada, as we have much to rejoice in.

We underrate what we as Anglicans have done and can do. The resilience of the Indigenous Church and the strides being made with their governance and visioning is thrilling. The care and concern expressed by the Provinces of BC & Yukon and Ontario for the Council of the North is heartwarming. Not to forget, the support given for the victims of war in Ukraine and Gaza through Alongside Hope. The Anglican Foundation’s “Say Yes To Kids” campaigns demonstrate how creative and compassionate we are. The Primate celebrates these while pointing to the deeper theological truths of grace and reconciliation these acts of kindness represent. Fostering and encouraging this work is essential to our life and witness to a broken world. This is the joyous work of the Primate.