NEW APPOINTMENT Taking the Michael ichael Elliott has been appointed by the SoF Steering Committee to the new post of Education and Development Worker. A self-employed consultant, Michael will work an average of two and a half days a week for the Network from his Oxford home, travelling around the country and visiting local groups as required.
Ordained in New Zealand in 1961, Michael worked in Auckland before moving to the diocese of Massachusetts, USA, then Southwark, England, then Jerusalem. Back in England in 1973, he became Development Officer for the Community and Race Relations Unit of the British Council of Churches. From 1976 to 1986 he was first Executive Officer, Ecumenical Secretariat on Development, New Zealand, and then Director of Christian Action on Poverty. Back in England since 1987, he has been Director of Inner City Aid and Tutor for Applied and Community Theology at Westminster College, Oxford. So he knows his way around!
His several publications include Freedom, Justice and Christian CounterCulture, in which he “explores Christian anarchist perspectives on faith and action”, published by SCM in 1990.
Michael writes: “My closest contacts with Sea of Faith have been through my many New Zealand friends who are members in that country. I am however totally committed to the objects of the Network. I have a nonrealist approach to theology, accept that religion and God are human constructions and projections, and am committed to its ecumenical dimensions... I have developed courses for the Oxford BTh programme which explore the relationships between theology, culture, sexuality, the media, politics and social change, and would see these as being totally in sympathy with the Network's approach to doing theology.” He lists his personal interests as theatre and film, music, creative writing, photography, cooking and winemaking - and swimming.
Stephen Mitchell, Chair of the Steering Committee, writes: “We are delighted that Michael Elliott is to join us. He has a wealth of experience and contacts which I am sure will prove invaluable. His appointment marks a new and exciting chapter in Sea of Faith’s history.” Michael will spend his first few weeks getting to know the Network and creating opportunities for members of the Network and focal groups to get to know him.