Bishop David taught chemistry and religious studies before training for ordination in Bristol at Tyndale Hall and Trinity College. Following two curacies in Bolton and Birmingham he worked at Latimer House - the theological research centre in Oxford. In 1980 he was appointed Chaplain and then Fellow and Lecturer in Theology at Corpus Christi College, Oxford, where he taught Christian ethics and psychology of religion, for the Theology Faculty. He was also visiting lecturer in pastoral theology at Wycliffe Hall.

He became Canon Chancellor of Southwark Cathedral and Canon Missioner in the Diocese of Southwark in 1993 before being appointed Archdeacon of Lewisham. In 2001 he became Suffragan Bishop of Thetford in the Diocese of Norwich.

Bishop David has written a number of books on pastoral theology. In his spare time he enjoys art, music, walking and holidays with his wife Sue in their VW campervan.