The Rt. Revd Dr. Michael Volland, Bishop of Birmingham
A Service of Installation for the Rt. Revd Dr. Michael Volland, 10th Bishop of Birmingham, took place in Birmingham Cathedral, St Philip's, on 2 March 2024. This service marked the beginning of Bishop Michael's public ministry with the CofE Birmingham.
Formerly Principal of Ridley Hall, Cambridge, Dr Volland was consecrated at Canterbury Cathedral on Thursday 30 November 2023. Bishop Michael took up his previous role at Ridley Hall in January 2017, having been a member of the tutorial staff team at the college since 2015. Before moving to Cambridge, he taught mission, evangelism and church planting to ordinands at Cranmer Hall in Durham, alongside leading the East Durham Mission Project, working with parishes in former mining communities as well as serving as Area Dean of Easington. Bishop Michael was educated at Northumbria University, King’s College London, and Durham University.
He trained for ordained ministry at Ridley Hall, Cambridge, was ordained in 2006 and served his title at Gloucester Cathedral.
During his time as Principal of Ridley Hall, Bishop Michael served as President of the Cambridge Theological Federation and as Chair of the national Theological Education Institutes Principals’ Steering Group. While ministering in the northeast, Bishop Michael served as chaplain to Durham Army Cadet Force.
Bishop 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. Bishop Michael ministered in two parish contexts for six years before being ordained, serving as a youth and children’s worker. His Masters degree, from King's College London, focused on youth ministry and theological education. Bishop Michael’s doctoral research at Durham University was published by SPCK in 2015 under the title, The Minister as Entrepreneur. His other published work is in the areas of mission, ecclesiology, fresh expressions and leadership.
Bishop Michael is married to Rachel, an early-years teacher, and together they have three children. He is a keen runner, and regularly participates in ultramarathons to raise funds for causes such as Shelter. He has been a member of Christian Surfers for thirty years.
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.