Michael Volland is the 10th Bishop of Birmingham.
He is committed to serving congregations and their leaders to see flourishing churches and schools at the heart of each community in the diocese and has been encouraging Christians to live in response to Jesus’ words in John’s Gospel, ‘Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing.’ (John 15:5).
Before coming to Birmingham Michael was Principal of Ridley Hall, a Church of England college in Cambridge, which prepares men and women for Christian ministry.
Prior to his ministry in Cambridge, Michael taught mission, evangelism and church planting in Durham. Alongside this he led the East Durham Mission Project, working in several parishes in former mining communities, as well as serving as Area Dean of Easington and Chaplain to Durham Army Cadet Force. During this time Michael completed a doctorate in theology at Durham University.
Before Durham, Michael and his wife planted and led a church in Gloucester where Michael also served on the staff of Gloucester cathedral.
Michael grew up in Reading where he attended a state secondary school and spent his evenings and weekends with the Boys Brigade and Army Cadets. After completing a foundation course in Art and Design, Michael spent three years studying sculpture at the University of Northumbria in Newcastle and several years working as a practising, full-time artist. Before being ordained Michael was a youth and children’s worker, working in schools, estate communities and churches in Slough and London.
Michael is married to Rachel and together they have three children. He is a keen runner, and has participated in multiple ultramarathons, including the 100km Race to the Stones.
You may be in contact with Bishop Michael’s office and staff in the following ways:
For all general enquiries please email bishopsadmin@cofebirmingham.com or call 0121 427 1163.
Pat Brydon - Executive Assistant, Bishop of Birmingham - PatB@cofebirmingham.com
The Revd Mthr Laura Ward - Chaplain to the Bishop of Birmingham – bishopschaplain@cofebirmingham.com
Chris Booth – Office & Site Manager to the Bishop of Birmingham – bishopschaplain@cofebirmingham.com
All press and media enquiries should be made to the Director of Communications by email at comms@cofebirmingham.com.