I came to York St John in 2008 after 22 years in the employment of the Church of England in a range of parish and diocesan roles. I have always tried to combine ministerial practice with a commitment to practical theological formation for ministry and robust academic theology. I have a passion for adult theological education for the church, building people’s confidence in their gifts and stimulating the appetite for theology among laity and clergy alike. I believe firmly in the creative energies that are released by a contextual and collaborative model of faith praxis, theological reflection, ministry and leadership. I have an on-going academic interest in the responses of the churches to the changing profile of religion in contemporary society. I was born in Scarborough in 1953 and have been married since 1978; we have a grown-up son and daughter, two granddaughters and a grandson. In my free time I like to read, including novels, humour, travel and books on music and contemporary culture. I am interested in contemporary politics and current affairs, in line with my academic interest in the field of sociology and religious and cultural change. I listen to a lot of music of many genres, and on holiday my wife and I love to visit new places, explore towns and countryside and experience something of the local customs