Chairman’s Page - Revd Ward Jones

In Methodism our regional leaders are called 'District Chairs', a post I have held since 1998.  It's a title I find difficult to use, as I do not consider myself to been an inanimate object, so I still use the previous title 'Chairman' for myself, but 'Chair' when referring to my colleagues around the country, some of whom, thank God, are female.

 I was born in the 'Black Country' at the heart of the West Midlands, although I have been away from that part of the world since the early seventies.

Having trained for the ordained ministry at Wesley House,Cambridge, I served for five years in rural north Lancashire, 11 years in Wootton Bassett, near Swindon, 6 years in Frome, Somerset and in 1998 became Chairman of the Bristol District.  I have a great interest in watching sport -  Wolverhampton Wanderers and England for football, Worcestershire and England cricket, Welsh Rugby Union and F1 motor racing.

For a number of years in the 1990's I served the Methodist Church as national advisor on health and healing ministry, having  a particular interest in the interface between Church and Medicine.  In more recent times I have focused on spirituality in healthcare.

Currently I am a 'Companion', on behalf of the Methodist Church in Britain, to the Korean Methodist Church.  This role, a cross between an ambassador and liasion officer has arisen out of a commitment signed in 2007 between our two churches to learn more about each other and explore ways in which we can work more closely together to help and encourage each other in our ministry and mission.