• Born in Coxhoe, Co Durham (the home of Elizabeth Barratt Browning) and grew up in and around Durham City.
• Educated at Grange Hill Grammar School in Stockton then briefly entertained a career in Accountancy.
• I firmed up my faith in Christ as a result of long conversations with an ex active Marxist and began training for ordination at Oak Hill Theological College.
• Ordained Deacon in 1967 to a curacy at St Thomas, Blackpool.
• 1970-74 Vocations Secretary for Church Pastoral Aid Society, with the responsibility of presenting the call of ministry to young people in churches, universities and schools
• I accepted the appointment to St Thomas, Lancaster in 1974, and began there an extremely happy period of ministry. During the time at St Thomas, I did a MA Degree at Lancaster University focusing mainly on modern Roman Catholic Theology and studying particularly the work of Yves Congar. I wrote my first two books while I was Vicar of St Thomas’s. The Church on the Threshold published in 1991 by Darton, Longman and Todd and then later, a book which had a more particular focus on spirituality called Threshold God published in 1992 by Darton, Longman and Todd.
• In 1991 I began a ministry in the Diocese of Blackburn as the Director of Training with the responsibility of overseeing continuing clergy and lay training. It was in this job that I began to work more closely with Bishop Jack and together, in 1995, we wrote a book called A Faith Worth Sharing? A Church Worth Joining? Which was also published by Dartman, Longman and Todd.
• In 2000 I became Bishop of Doncaster and in addition to sharing Episcopal ministry in the diocese, was given particular responsibilities in the area of mission, training and as sponsoring bishop for ordinands.
• I have for a long time been interested in theological education and training and for a number of years, have been Course Director of a Post-Graduate Course taught at Cliff College in Derbyshire.
• I am Chair of Cranmer Hall, Durham and a Bishop’s Inspector of Theological Colleges, and on the Council of Scargill.
  § Right at the heart of my ministry is a passion to see the church renewed in order to engage more effectively in her mission in the community.

I am married to Muriel who is a Key Stage 1 teacher and teaches in the Church School in the village in which we live.
We have four adult children:

My other passions are motorbikes and classic cars. I share my enthusiasm for motorbikes with two of my sons and we have enjoyed visits to the TT Races on the Isle of Man. My classic car enthusiasm dates back to time spent with my father repairing old cars

I have a sneaking admiration for Marilyn Monroe, enjoy poetry, music, wine tasting and walking.

My life and work are primarily people-centred. I have concentrated on trying to develop skills that will enable me to work with clergy, encouraging good quality teamwork in parishes. I love doing parish week-ends, leading retreats and conducting missions. I generally enjoy life and place a high value on friendship.

Telephone: 01709 730130

email:m.powell1@virgin.net