Nick Baines (bishop)

Nick Baines (bishop)
The Rt Revd
 Nick Baines 
BAHons
Bishop of Bradford
Church Church of England
Diocese Diocese of Bradford
Enthroned 21 May 2011[1]
Predecessor David James
Other posts Archdeacon of Lambeth (2000–2003)
Bishop of Croydon (2003–2011)
Orders
Ordination 1987
Consecration 8 May 2003[2]
Personal details
Born 13 November 1957 (1957-11-13) (age 54)
Liverpool, United Kingdom
Nationality British
Denomination Anglican
Spouse Linda (1980—present)
Children Richard (b. 1981)
Melanie (b. 1984)
Andrew (b. 1988)
Profession formerly linguist
Alma mater University of Bradford

Nicholas "Nick" Baines (born 13 November 1957, Liverpool) has been the Bishop of Bradford, the diocesan Anglican bishop in the Diocese of Bradford, since 21 May 2011.[1]

Baines was educated at Holt Comprehensive School, Liverpool, before gaining a BA(Hons) degree in German and French at the University of Bradford. He worked as a linguist at GCHQ for four years[3] prior to training for ordination at Trinity College, Bristol, where he gained a BA(Hons) in Theological Studies.[2]

Baines was ordained as deacon in 1987 and priest in 1988. His first appointments were as Assistant Curate at St. Thomas, Kendal, and St Catherine, Crook.[4] He then moved to Leicester, becoming briefly Associate Minister of Holy Trinity, Leicester, and then Vicar of Rothley 1992-2000 (during which time he was also Chaplain to an adult mental health unit, before becoming Rural Dean of Goscote in 1995).[2] In 2000, Baines joined the Southwark Diocese as Archdeacon of Lambeth.[5] He also oversaw the diocese's children and youth policy. He was a member of the General Synod of the Church of England from 1995 until 2005.

Baines is an experienced broadcaster, regularly appearing on Pause for Thought on BBC Radio 2. While in Leicester he used to broadcast regularly on BBC Radio Leicester and Leicester Sound, and twice received a commendation in the Andrew Cross Awards for religious broadcasting.

He has written six books: Hungry for Hope (1991, DLT), Speedbumps & Potholes (2004, St Andrew Press), Jesus & People Like Us (2004, St Andrew Press, later revised and republished in 2008 as Scandal of Grace), Marking Time (2005, St Andrew Press), Finding Faith (2008, St Andrew Press), Why Wish You a Merry Christmas (Church House Publishing 2009). Speedbumps & Potholes and Finding Faith have been translated into German (Am Rande bemerkt and In hoechsten Toenen, respectively).

Baines was appointed Bishop of Croydon in 2003, succeeding Wilfred Wood. He was consecrated by the Archbishop of Canterbury at St Paul's Cathedral and installed in Southwark Cathedral on 8 May 2003.[2]

In 1980, Baines married Linda. They have three children: Richard (1981), Melanie (1984) and Andrew (1988).

Styles

  • Nick Baines Esq (1957–1987)
  • The Revd Nick Baines (1987–2000)
  • The Ven Nick Baines (2000–2003)
  • The Rt Revd Nick Baines (2003—present)

Notes

  1. ^ a b Bradford Diocese —Enthronement
  2. ^ a b c d Press Release — New Bishop of Croydon
  3. ^ "Hungry for Hope". See extract at Church of Scotland bookshop
  4. ^ "Crockford’s Clerical Directory 2008-9" London, Church House, 2007 ISBN 200095567X
  5. ^ "Who’s Who, 2007" London, AC Black, 2006 ISBN 200085002X
Church of England titles
Preceded by
Wilfred Wood
Bishop of Croydon
2003–2011
Not yet announced
Preceded by
David James
Bishop of Bradford
2011—
Incumbent