''The Gospel changes everything. Wycliffe Hall taught me that.''
The new Bishop of Stepney explains the impact of studying here
Bishop Rod Green (right) with Wycliffe Hall's Principal, Michael Lloyd, at Lambeth Palace. The painting above depicts former Archbishop of Canterbury Donald Coggan, who also trained at Wycliffe.
This May, a Wycliffe Hall alumnus was consecrated Bishop of Stepney. 20 years after training as an ordinand here, the Rt Revd Rod Green can still see the impact of this formative experience on his ministry.
“After I left Wycliffe in 2007, my first post was as a curate in the Stepney Area of the Diocese of London - I served my title at Christ Church Spitalfields. Now, after posts elsewhere in London and Wales, it is wonderful to serve Stepney again as Bishop. Stepney is incredibly diverse both demographically and ecclesiastically, so I am looking forward to encountering God at work in a wide variety of contexts and traditions.
“As Bishop, I will work alongside and encourage some of the most energetic and entrepreneurial leaders in the Church of England, and some of the most faithful and fruitful congregations in the UK.
“Please pray that all I do as Bishop of Stepney may remain rooted in prayer, and that I might grow in holiness as I exercise this ministry.
The legacy of training at Wycliffe
“Training at Wycliffe Hall gave me a robust confidence in the authority of Scripture and its power to transform lives. I still believe the Word remains “alive and active” (Hebrews 4:12) so it is all we need. Expository preaching is therefore an absolute priority for me.
“Wycliffe also ingrained in me the importance of thinking theologically. The three years I spent at Wycliffe were precious years of theological learning and discovery. I continue to read and encounter God in and through dogmatics. I still find theology not just to be an intellectual curiosity, but something that is spiritually nourishing and deeply pastoral.
“Finally, the experience of going out on mission at Wycliffe has indelibly shaped my ministry. I try to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ at every opportunity, and I expect those I work with to do the same. At the end of the day, only faith in the work of Christ, in his life, death, resurrection and ascension, saves us. It is the Gospel that changes everything. Wycliffe Hall taught me that.”