More news and contributions from Saturday’s Church Society conference coming soon… but first, here are the names of those elected to our Council at the AGM. It was a close election and even required a second ballot to finally decide the outcome. Every vote counts! The Council contains both lay and ordained members from all over the country in their 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, and 70s – including four women – people serving in parish ministry as curates and incumbents, on General Synod, and in theological college with a wealth of experience and responsibility. Please pray for those serving us on Council in the next 12 months, who are:
Dr Kirsten Birkett
I am a lecturer at Oak Hill, responsible for Learning Architecture and Educational Development, as well as Pastoral Counselling and Youth and Children’s Ministry. I have written books on science and religion, psychology, feminism, and the family, and am passionate about the re-evangelisation of the UK through a renewed Church of England.
Mr Mark Cawson QC
I am aged 55, married with three adult children, and practice as a Barrister (QC) in Manchester. I am a member of St John’s, Knutsford, and a Trustee of the North West Partnership. As current Chairman of the Finance Committee, I have had the privilege of being able to assist in bringing financial stability to Church Society.
The Revd John A Cheeseman
Age 64. I am engaged in an itinerant preaching and teaching ministry. Previously I was Vicar of Holy Trinity Eastbourne, 2001-2010. Chairman of Church Society Council, 1990-95. Director of Church Society Trust 1986-. Committed to the Reformed Faith and the Reformation of the Church of England under the word of God.
The Revd Dr Andrew Cinnamond
I’m 42 years old, originally from N. Ireland, now team vicar in the Cotswolds (Gloucester Diocese), married with three children. Ordained 13 years – first 10 years in inner city London. I have a PhD in Elizabethan Church History.
The Revd Dr Benedict Cooper
I am 46 and Minister for Training at Christ Church Fulwood in Sheffield. Ordained for 11 years; doctorate in Biblical Studies; teach on Fulwood Bible Training course; visiting lecturer at Oak Hill Theological College. My deep concern is to re-vitalise the preaching of God’s Word in the Church of England.
The Revd Paul Darlington
I am Vicar of Oswestry Holy Trinity and aged 44. Being on the Council and the Chair for the last two years has made even clearer to me the vital role of the Society in supporting the recovery of parishes for the gospel in England, whilst also aiding established evangelical ministries and church-planting initiatives. I have been involved in one such recovery for 10 years and regularly meet to encourage others similarly engaged.
The Revd Timothy Edwards
I am serving as a curate in the diocese of Carlisle, where my parish role involves me in re-vitalising parishes that have not previously enjoyed an evangelical and reformed ministry. During my time on Church Society Council, I have had the opportunity to support the work of the Society through media work (e.g, discussions on live radio and suchlike). I am excited about the potential for the Society to further the reformation of the Church of England according to the word of God.
The Revd Richard Farr
I am the Chairman of Church Society Trust, our patronage board, and also Associate Vicar of St. John’s Tunbridge Wells having previously been vicar of Henham, Elsenham, and Ugley. Age 59.
The Revd Chris Kilgour
I am 40, married, with five children. Curate at St Mary, Chalk in Rochester Diocese. Committed to the Reformed, Protestant and Evangelical basis of the Church of England. I hope to help the continued reinvigoration of Church Society as it looks to the reformation of the Church of England, and the great task of the evangelisation of England.
The Revd Rupert Mackay
For the past 11 years I have been a minister of the gospel in Hadley Wood, North London. Before that I was 4 years curate in Knutsford, and a member of St Helen’s Bishopsgate for 20 years + on staff there for 4 years. I have been involved in Scripture Union Lymington/Rushmore camps as leader/staff for 20 years and hope to return this summer! I have served the Society this year by helping to sell Dean Wace House in order to unlock greater investment income and assisted in the new office rental.
The Revd Dr Michael J Ovey
I am the Principal of Oak Hill College. I am passionate about the sole and sufficient mediatorship of my Lord Jesus, and the re-evangelisation of England through the carrying out of his great commission.
Mrs Amanda Robbie
I am an author, blogger, mother and vicar’s wife in the multicultural inner city parish of Holy Trinity West Bromwich. I blog and tweet as @thevicarswife and lead bible studies, community outreach, and Sunday school. I am a governor at our church school and on CEEC.
Dr Andrea Ruddick
Mother of two and vicar’s wife in Morden, SW London. Also a medieval historian and writer – including for Crossway and the Church Society blog. Currently involved in helping Church Society to promote complementarian ministry patterns in Anglican contexts. I am eager to see conservative evangelicals flourish and maintain gospel witness in the C of E through the work of Church Society.
Mrs Alison Laura Ruoff
I am a Lay member of General Synod and was previously the Chairman of the conservative evangelical lay group in Synod, 2000-2005. Bishop’s Council for London. Oak Hill Council 2006-2011. Passionate about UK’s Christian heritage and the spread of the gospel based on the authority of Scripture. Speaker and Christian broadcaster on TV and radio.
The Revd Simon Scott
I have been a member of Church Society since around the time of my ordination in 1991; in my view developments over the last year only serve to reinforce the need for the historic biblical convictions of the Society to be preserved within the Church of England for the gospel and the nation’s sake. Currently Rector of All Saints, Little Shelford. Age 50.
The Revd Mark Smith
I am 30 years old, studying for a PhD in Patristics whilst serving as Assistant Chaplain at Peterhouse, Cambridge, and as Assistant Curate at All Saints, Little Shelford. I have contributed articles and book reviews to the Churchman and Crossway. I am on the Churchman Editorial Board and I run the ‘Formulary Friday’ blog posts on the Church Society website.
The Revd James Taylor
I’m 34; married to Christine; and a curate in NW London. I have a lifelong involvement in Church of England ministry and gained Reformed convictions as a teen. Long to see our Church of England living out its confessional Anglicanism. Hence serving & representing junior Anglicans through JAEC and on the CEEC and have served on Church Society Council for 3 years, most recently as vice Chairman – all to build our church and reach our nation.
The Revd John Telford
I’m 43, third year Curate in two historically non-evangelical East Riding parishes. I hope to help Church Society assist turnaround parishes in order to secure greater faithful gospel witness in the Church of England. I convene ReNew Hull and serve on Hull Deanery Standing and Pastoral Committees.
The Revd Dr Jason Ward
I’m 43 years old, presently vicar of St. Mary’s, Chaddesden, an Evangelical Anglican Church. I’m also on the Council of the Fellowship of Word & Spirit, and served on the steering committee for the ReNew Conference.
Dr Thomas A Woolford
I am 30, married to Julie, with a two-year-old daughter and another just born. I am a second year ordinand at Oak Hill. In the last 3 years, Church Society has made me more excited and optimistic about future ministry in the Church of England. I want to reflect some of that enthusiasm back into the Council.