My name is Steve and I am based at the South end of the Ipswich circuit, alongside the churches at Bramford, Brantham, Capel St Mary, Chelmondiston, Elmsett and Holbrook. I come with a wife, Karen, and two sons – Euan (who is presently studying at university) and Tim, who is married and lives in Chelmsford.
I grew up in Sidcup (which is either Kent or South London depending on your perspective) and my life journey to this point has taken me to Oxford, the East End of London, Dartmoor, the Black Country, Northamptonshire, Tunbridge Wells and Bicester.
I have been a lay worker (East End and Dartmoor); a chartered accountant (working at the top of Birmingham’s iconic and circular Rotunda building) and, since 1996, a Methodist minister.
I love bringing God’s good news to people particularly through preaching and teaching and would summarise that good news from three Biblical passages:
‘For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.’ (John 3: 16-17)’There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus’ and ‘nothing is able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.’ (Romans 8: 1 and 39)
Therefore:Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. (Romans 12: 2 and 14-18)
I seek to live as authentic a life as possible and hope you will find that ‘what you see is what you get’.
What else do I love? Football (I’m a West Ham United supporter but will happily accompany anyone to Portman Road); travel and quizzing – among many other things.
I look forward to meeting you!