Press release from the Prime Minister’s Office. There is more information on the diocesan websites of Southwark and Bristol.
Appointment of Suffragan Bishop of Kingston: 16 December 2022
The King has approved the nomination of The Reverend Canon Dr Jonathan Martin Gainsborough, to the Suffragan See of Kingston, in the Diocese of Southwark.
From: Prime Minister’s Office, 10 Downing Street
Published 16 December 2022
The King has approved the nomination of The Reverend Canon Dr Jonathan Martin Gainsborough, Chaplain to the Bishop of Bristol, in the Diocese of Bristol, to the Suffragan See of Kingston, in the Diocese of Southwark, in succession to The Right Reverend Dr Richard Cheetham following his retirement.
Martin was educated at the University of Bristol and The School of Oriental and African Studies and trained for ministry on the Southern Theological Education and Training Scheme. He served his title at St Luke’s, Barton Hill, in the Diocese of Bristol and was ordained Priest in 2011.
In 2013, Martin was appointed Priest-in-Charge at St Luke’s and in 2016 he became Canon Theologian at Bristol Cathedral. During this time, Martin was also Professor of Development Politics at the University of Bristol.
Martin took up his current role as Chaplain to the Bishop of Bristol in 2019.
So yet another episcopal appointment with scant parish ministry experience.
But, Martin; he did make ‘Professor of Development Politics at the University of Bristol’.
I suspect that BAPs and members of appointments committees swoon before a candidate with business experience or a prenominal handle, especially medical doctors – like teenage girls before a sexy pop idol. (Oh dear, I’m probably not allowed to write sexist and ageist comments like that.) I was probably a beneficiary of this “swoonery” having appeared before a BAP as a professor, a medic and a PhD, but in my case the swooning, if swooning there was, was entirely justified. Had I been ordained when I was younger I would likely have been infected by the careerist bug. I thank… Read more »
You are quite right it is out of order to talk about ‘swooning teenage girls before a pop idol’. Making a ‘joke’ of it doesn’t make it any more palatable, but rather the opposite. The CoE clergy have sex on the brain.
Lol
Yes. If the clergy in Kingston Area had been consulted, I think most would have put parish experience as a top priority. But of course that’s precisely why we weren’t…
It’s not massive, but he was a parish priest for 5 years, and he does say this about his appointment:
My passion is the local church in all its diverse expressions. I can’t wait to get out and about on the ground in the Kingston Area to connect with the parishes, clergy and with our communities and discern with others where God is leading.
I know Martin from my Deanery. He is a lovely godly man. He has served in a parish in one of the most deprived parts of the city. God has called him out of an academic career and He has faithfully followed that call. I think his clergy will be very pleasantly surprised when they get to know him. Don’t judge a book by its cover as they say!
I don’t know him, but I did raise my eyebrows at how quickly he has progressed to purple and how little experience he has being responsible for a parish, with all that means these days. Then I thought about it again and came to the observation that since the change in regime at the Wash House, we seem to be seeing the start of a more diverse range of candidates – even though Suffragan appointments are not CNC led, lists are still produced for consideration. I actually find it refreshing to have a candidate come through for the episcopate who… Read more »
I also know Martin slightly and concur in your esteem of him. I would add that he gets things done and is endlessly patient and a good colleague. I’m not quite sure how much ‘parish experience’ would pass muster on here for a new bishop, but clearly tearing down those who are given any form of preferment, without any quarter given to Christian charity or even to the sense that the named are also human beings with feelings, is how this site rolls. I know at least one churchperson whose appointment was reported on here, a while back now, who… Read more »
What a lovely recommendation.
This great cry for parish ministry experience is exaggerated. What the church needs is leaders, and those leaders might have gained experience in many different ways. Few CNCs (or indeed Bishop’s Advisory Groups for suffragan nominations) in my experience (and I did a few) put a premium on parish experience. Obviously it is a factor, depending on the balance in the wider episcopal team, but it’s not rocket science to understand and support your clergy.
‘It’s not rocket science to understand and support your clergy’. It certainly was to his predecessor. But fair comments here. Hopefully he’ll storm it and these recommendations are very heartening.
Yes I didn’t hear from previous bishop of Kingston from one year’s end to the next. I really wondered what he spent his time doing. Certainly not showing interest in the ministry of his clergy.
It may not be rocket science, but it is a matter of habit, insight and empathy – and a sense of how best to support those whose theological/liturgical approaches may be different from your own without compromising your own integrity.
Priested in 2011, consecrated as a bishop 2023
Is 12 years from priesting to purple shirt a record?
My reaction also, although it seemed even more dramatic at an apparent 11 years, working to the date of the announcement.
God created the universe in six days!
Please note the below.
Clifford Jones 1 year ago
Reply to Simon Kershaw
Spencer Leeson was ordained priest in 1940 and consecrated Bishop of Peterborough in 1949. Arthur John (‘Jack’) Dain was priested in 1959 and consecrated an assistant bishop in the Diocese of Sydney 1965.
Bishop Jane Alexander was priested in 2001 and became Bishop of Edmonton (Canada) in 2008.
Thomas Becket ordained priest on 2nd June 1162 and consecrated Archbishop of Canterbury the next day.
Very good, Nigel Lloyd! But does Saint Ambrose beat Thomas Becket? Not even baptised, apparently, when selected to be bishop. I’m sure that someone here with access to a better theological library than I, will be able to tell us whether Ambrose’s baptism took place on the same day as his consecration as bishop!
Patristic evidence would suggest not!
I’m more concerned that his role in Bristol has really been about eco agendas etc. How exactly is he going to be encouraging clergy to make disciples in the face of a declining denomination? You cannot be all things to all men and grow the church. You need to focus.
It seems to me that ‘eco agendas etc’ are precisely the thing that young people are interested in, for very understandable reasons, and therefore provide excellent background, along with all his other skills, for supporting others in growing discipleship.
Hardly. It will be about Carbon footprints rather than learning about and following Jesus
Sometimes on this site people complain about the lack of intellectual weight on the bench. Presumably they welcome the appointment of a former professor from a very highly regarded university. I wonder how useful his experience as a bishop’s chaplain will be. I am not entirely sure what a bishop’s chaplain does apart from passing mitre and pastoral staff when required and holding the order of service while the bishop reads the words. I suspect it varies from bishop to bishop. Some chaplains may be privy to the secrets of the diocese and most will have an overview of the… Read more »
Simon, you say you are not sure what a bishop’s chaplain does. Writing as a bishop’s chaplain, I can say that I am not sure either, and you are right, it varies from bishop to bishop – some do not even have one. I am not closely acquainted with Martin’s role, but generalising from our network gatherings and other communications, most if not all are members of, or at least attend, Bishop’s Staff – so we have the overview to which you refer. Many of us are heavily involved in safeguarding, in CDM, responding as first point of contact to… Read more »
Thanks for this Stuart. Clearly, relevant experience for a bishop. Can I be nosey enough to ask if you get a ringside seat at the Royal Maundy?
Happy New Year, Simon. I am chaplain to the bishop, but not to the Lord High Almoner. The bishop’s chaplain’s place is mainly in the back office, and our motto is ‘We feebly struggle, they in glory shine.’
He was also chaplain to the Royal Marine Reserves in Bristol, as a reserve naval officer.