Revd Dr Paul Beasley-Murray MA

Chairman and Ministry Today General Editor

Ministry Consultant

Since 1994 Paul has been Chairman of Ministry Today UK, an inter-denominational organisation, whose aim is ‘to provide a supportive resource for all in pastoral leadership, so that they may not only survive, but also grow and develop, becoming more effective’ in their ministry, and General Editor of its journal, Ministry Today UK, which appears three times a year, both in hard copy as also as e-journal. Ministry Today UK is the only British ecumenical journal devoted to the practice of ministry. For further details see www.ministrytoday.org.uk.

Paul is also chairman of the launched College of Baptist Ministers launched in February 2014. Independent of the Baptist Union, the College provides peer support for ministers who find themselves in dispute with their church, as also a framework for continuing ministerial development; it helps ministers seeking advice, spiritual direction, and work consultancy and seeks to promote excellence in ministry, not least through the development of a code of ministerial ethics. For further details see: www.collegeofbaptistministers.org.

Over the years Paul has taught all over the world on a wide range of topics related to Christian ministry.  His latest research project is a survey of the reading habits of British ministers.

As a member of the Society of New Testament Studies as also of the Tyndale Fellowship for Biblical Research, Paul retains his interest in New Testament studies.

Other aspects of his present ministry

Chelmsford, Paul is now part of the Chelmsford Cathedral community. Although holding no official position he regularly leads the Cathedral’s Sunday morning ‘Breakfast with the Bible’. Paul continues to preach in churches of various denominations, although he is happy just to be part of the Sunday 9.30 Parish Eucharist at the Cathedral.

Paul co-founded a bi-monthly lunch-time for retired Baptist ministers in Mid- and South Essex, and takes the lead in presenting topics for discussion.

Since 2005 Paul has been a member of the Rotary Club of Chelmsford Rivermead, and is the 2016-2017 club president: see www.rivermeadrotary.org. With its aim of ‘service above self’, Paul sees his Rotary involvement as an expression of Christian ministry.

Ministry Experience

As Senior Minister of Central Baptist Church, Chelmsford (1993-2014) he transformed a traditional declining city-centre church members into a strong vibrant, growing fellowship;  at the time he left there were 399 committed members, together with a much larger church community.

As Principal of Spurgeon’s College, London (1986-1993)  he doubled the student enrolment, increased the faculty by one-third, and developed new patterns of ministerial training.

As Pastor of Altrincham Baptist Church, Cheshire (1973-1986) he enabled a small declining church to develop into a strong virile church, quadrupled in size (from 83 to 300+ members).

As a BMS Missionary in Congo/Zaire (1990-1992) he taught Greek and New Testament in the Protestant Theological Faculty of the National University.

Revd Alun Brookfield

Ministry Today Editor

Current Situation: Alun retired from full-time ministry in the Church in Wales in June 2015 after a 12 year ministry in a rural parish in the Swansea valley. He was previously Parish Development Adviser and Director of Stewardship for the Diocese of Swansea and Brecon. He has a special interest in the development of alternative forms of worship.

In his spare time, Alun also ran a rock’n roll singing group, Sing In Company, a group which was open to anyone to join, with no auditions and no sheet music.

Particular interests: Shared ministry (based on the models developed in Scotland and Northern Michigan), Mission and Church Growth, Stewardship and Christian giving, Fund-raising, Music in worship and mission, Marketing and communications (inc. copy writing and brochure layout), 'Celtic' Christianity, Church planting, alternative ways of being church, Post-Christendom issues.

History: Welsh by birth and passion, but brought up in south London, Alun's first degree was in music, leading to several years working as a music teacher in secondary schools. During this time, he developed a busy ministry of preaching and leading worship in local Baptist churches in, successively, London, Kent and Northamptonshire. Before leaving teaching to attend theological college, Alun was Lay Pastor of a rural Baptist church. While at Spurgeon's College, London, Alun served as student pastor of an inner-city church in London, then moved to Chadwell Heath in Essex to serve High Road Baptist Church. Five years there were followed by nearly ten years working for Bible Society as a Church Growth and evangelism trainer, then as a market development executive. Made redundant by Bible Society in 1997, Alun went to work for the Diocese of Bristol as a Parish Development Adviser and Diocesan Stewardship Adviser. During this time, he left Baptist ministry and was ordained Deacon in the Church of England in July 2000 and Priest a year later. Alongside his diocesan work, he served as a curate with the ministry team in the Stratton St Margaret benefice on the edge of Swindon, Wiltshire, before returning to his beloved Wales in January 2003. 

Family: Alun and his wife, Mary (a gifted administrator), have two adult children - Gareth (better known as Gaz, a professional singer/songwriter) and Lynsey (a traffic engineer) – and one beautiful granddaughter, Abigail, with whom Alun admits to being utterly besotted!

Alun and Mary live on their 5 acre smallholding in rural Carmarthenshire. Alun has continued his musical activities throughout his life and ministry, by singing and playing a variety of musical instruments including keyboard, guitar, saxophone, viola, penny whistle and trombone. He also writes songs (very few of which can be sung in public!) about ministry as a way of externalizing the stresses of the lifestyle!

Revd Terry Hinks

Minister of Abbey United Reformed Church, Romsey

Terry Hinks is Minister of Trinity High Wycombe and Cores End United Reformed Churches. He was ordained as a minister in the United Reformed Church in 1986 and has served in local churches in Hereford, Reading, Romsey and now the High Wycombe area. A long ministry in Romsey and Braishfield involved him in building projects and community engagement, but 2015 saw him move to new work in Buckinghamshire. He is serving two churches which work in very different contexts. The Church at Cores End is a village chapel with a long history, good halls and a variety of links into the local community. Trinity URC in High Wycombe is near the centre of the town and, following a redevelopment project, has been building up its work in the community and developing its worship life. Alongside a strong ecumenical commitment and community involvement, Terry has developed a deep interest in writing prayers and reflections. He served for a time as Secretary of the URC Doctrine, Prayer and Worship Committee and has contributed to the URC Service Book. He has also been involved over many years in the retreat movement, organising and leading quiet days and events for ministers, local churches and Synods. He has published two books on praying with the gospels: God's Passion: praying with Mark and God’s Embrace: praying with Luke (Darton Longman and Todd). Having written a third book on Matthew’s gospel (God with us: praying with Matthew), he hopes study John’s gospel more closely over the next few years and to complete the series. Having been in church ministry since his twenties, Terry has a real concern for the well being of ministers and has worked over the years to support newly ordained ministers and to bring together ministers for discussion and mutual support. During a sabbatical in 2007, he undertook a study of what sustained ministers who had served in the church more than twenty years, recognising the particular joys and challenges of ‘long haul’ ministry. He very much values the work of Ministry Today and is delighted to be a member of the Board and to share in its stimulating meetings. Terry is married to Elizabeth, who is involved in publishing as a copyeditor and proof-reader. They have two children who are developing their own careers, in teaching and law. Terry enjoys time with his family, books and theatre, gardens, walking and growing a few vegetables (where space and time permit). Stewardship of the earth remains an important part of Terry's theology and practical concern.

Revd Kim Hitch

Church of England vicar

Revd William Ruddle

Treasurer and membership secretary.

William is involved in pioneering work as the first Lead Chaplain for Lincolnshire Police whilst also remaining the Industrial Chaplain for South East Lincolnshire. He has been in Baptist Ministry since 2001 pastoring his first church in Macclesfield, Cheshire at the tender age of 23. In 2005 William moved to Essex where he became first a full-time acute hospital chaplain and latterly the chaplaincy team leader and bereavement services manager at Basildon & Thurrock University Hospital NHS Trust.  William is married to Louise and their twin children, Joshua & Hannah, born in 2005 who keep life entertaining and exasperating in equal measure (an experience many parents can relate to!)

Theological Interests: William has always had a keen pastoral interest in theodicy and the nature of how God relates to his suffering world. This interest was initially influenced heavily by the writings of the late Henri Nouwen and was the topic of William's Masters Degree thesis. The resulting work morphed into a booklet for the Grove Series.

In pastoral ministry, away from suffering William is developing a keen interest around the issues of hospitality and its pivotal role in the early church - both in relating and mission. Hospitality in its fullest form is something William is bringing both to Spalding and also to the wider network of churches in his village.

Social Interests: William has a number of social interests outside of the church which struggle for the free time available after family and church. However, a growing collection of vintage port and wine as well as a burgeoning collection of chess sets are amongst his pastimes. William and Louise also have a keen interest in property renovation and development which grew during the 6 years in  Chaplaincy - something not so easy to maintain when living in a Manse.

Very refreshingly, William is the youngest member of the board and will bring freshness and perspective therefore.