The Right Reverend

Michael Volland
Bishop of Birmingham
ChurchChurch of England
DioceseDiocese of Birmingham
In office22 November 2023 to present
Other post(s)Principal of Ridley Hall, Cambridge (2017–2023)
Orders
Ordination2006 (deacon)
2007 (priest)
Consecration30 November 2023
by Justin Welby
Personal details
Born
Michael John Volland

1974 (age 49–50)
NationalityBritish
DenominationAnglicanism
SpouseRachel
ChildrenThree
Alma materKing's College London
Ridley Hall, Cambridge
St John's College, Durham

Michael John Volland (born 1974) is a British Anglican bishop and academic, specialising in mission and practical theology. Since November 2023, he has been Bishop of Birmingham, the diocesan bishop of the Church of England's Diocese of Birmingham. From 2017 to 2023, he was Principal of Ridley Hall, Cambridge, an Anglican theological college in the Open Evangelical tradition. He was previously Director of Mission at Cranmer Hall, Durham, and Director of Context-based Training at Ridley Hall.

Early life and education

Volland was born in 1974.[1] He grew up in Reading, Berkshire.[2] Having attended a state school in Reading, he went on to undertake a foundation course in art and design.[3] He then studied fine art at Northumbria University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in 1996.[1][4]

For six years, prior to entering theological college, Volland worked as a youth minister.[4] He studied youth ministry and theological education at King's College London, and completed a Master of Arts (MA) degree in 2004.[1][4] From 2004 to 2006, he trained for ordained ministry at Ridley Hall, Cambridge, an Anglican theological college in the open evangelical tradition.[1][5]

Volland later undertook postgraduate research at Durham University, and completed a Doctor of Theology and Ministry (DThM) degree in 2013.[1] His doctoral thesis was titled "An entrepreneurial approach to priestly ministry in the parish: insights from a research study in the Diocese of Durham".[6]

Ordained ministry

Volland was ordained in the Church of England as a deacon in 2006 and as a priest in 2007.[1] He served as a pioneer minister leading a fresh expressions church in Gloucester between 2006 and 2009,[1][4] and was also a curate of Gloucester Cathedral from 2007 to 2009.[1] In 2009, he joined Cranmer Hall, Durham as tutor and Director of Mission.[1][7] From 2014 to 2015, he was also missioner/leader of the East Durham Mission Project, and acting area dean of Easington, County Durham.[1] The East Durham Mission Project is a group of nine parishes in former mining communities in the Diocese of Durham.[8]

In 2015, Volland was appointed a tutor and Director of Context-based Training of Ridley Hall, Cambridge, and so he left the Diocese of Durham to move south in August 2015.[5] Since 2015, he has also held permission to officiate in the Diocese of Ely.[1] In December 2016, it was announced that he would be the next Principal of Ridley Hall.[4][7] He took up the position in January 2017.[9]

On 31 August 2023, it was announced that Volland would be the next Bishop of Birmingham, the diocesan bishop of the Diocese of Birmingham.[10] He legally took up his See at the confirmation of his election on 22 November.[11] He was consecrated a bishop during a service at Canterbury Cathedral on 30 November 2023.[12]

Military service

In addition to his parish and academic ministries, Volland has served as a military chaplain.[4] On 25 February 2013, he was commissioned in the Royal Army Chaplains' Department as a Chaplain to the Forces Fourth Class (equivalent in rank to captain).[13] He then joined the Durham Army Cadet Force as a chaplain.[14] On 24 June 2015, with his moving to Cambridge, he resigned his commission.[15]

Personal life

Volland is married to Rachel. Together they have three children.[14]

Selected works

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Michael John Volland". Crockford's Clerical Directory (online ed.). Church House Publishing. Retrieved 2 February 2017.
  2. ^ "CofE Birmingham welcomes Bishop-Designate, The Revd Dr Michael Volland". The Church ofEngland Birmingham. 31 August 2023. Archived from the original on 31 August 2023. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  3. ^ Birmingham, Church of England (29 November 2023). "Consecration of the Bishop of Birmingham - Church of England Birmingham". cofebirmingham.com. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  4. ^ a b c d e f "Michael Volland appointed Principal". Ridley Hall, Cambridge. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 2 February 2017.
  5. ^ a b "New Staff Appointment". Ridley Hall, Cambridge. 2015. Retrieved 2 February 2017.
  6. ^ Volland, Michael John (2013). "An entrepreneurial approach to priestly ministry in the parish : insights from a research study in the Diocese of Durham". E-Thesis Online Service. The British Library Board. Retrieved 26 February 2017.
  7. ^ a b "Press Release: former tutor Michael Volland becomes Principal of Ridley hall, Cambridge". Cranmer Hall. Durham University. 12 December 2016. Retrieved 2 February 2017.
  8. ^ "Training vicars on the coal-face". Durham Diocese Newsroom. Diocese of Durham. 9 October 2014. Retrieved 2 February 2017.
  9. ^ Michael Volland [@michael_volland] (9 December 2016). "I am very pleased indeed to announce that I have a new job! I'll start as Principal of Ridley Hall in Jan 2017" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  10. ^ "Appointment of Bishop of Birmingham: 31 August 2023". GOV.UK. Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  11. ^ "Confirmation of Election of the Bishop of Birmingham". The Church of England Birmingham. Archived from the original on 1 December 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  12. ^ "The Consecration of Bishop Michael, Bishop of Birmingham, with pictures". The Church of England Birmingham. 4 December 2023. Archived from the original on 21 December 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  13. ^ "No. 60469". The London Gazette (Supplement). 9 April 2013. p. 6880.
  14. ^ a b "Durham ACF get a new Padre". Army Cadet Force. 7 March 2013. Retrieved 2 February 2017.
  15. ^ "No. 61684". The London Gazette (Supplement). 23 August 2016. p. 18048.
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