About Bishop Paul
The Right Reverend Paul Butler was commissioned as the Bishop of Southampton in June 2004. This followed his ordination as a Bishop at Southwark Cathedral.
He was previously Team Rector of the Parish of Walthamstow, in London. He was educated at Nottingham University where he gained a BA in 1977. He trained for ordination at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford. From 1983 to 1987 he was a Curate at All Saints with Holy Trinity, Wandsworth, Southwark. From 1987 to 1992 he moved to the Scripture Union as Inner London Evangelist and was then its Deputy Head of Mission from 1992 to 1994.
From 1987 to 1994 he was a Non Stipendiary Minister at East Ham St Paul, Chelmsford Diocese. From 1994 to 1997 he was Priest in Charge at Walthamstow St Mary with St Stephen and also Priest in Charge at Walthamstow St Luke, Chelmsford Diocese. In 1997 he became Team Rector of the Parish of Walthamstow which incorporated St Mary’s, St Stephen’s, St Luke’s and St Gabriel’s. From 2000-4 he was also Area Dean of Waltham Forest.
Bishop Paul has always been passionate about being part of the world church, with a particular interest in and commitment to Rwanda and Uganda,. He served on the Council of the Rwanda Mission / Mid Africa Ministry from 1988-99 and 2000-1. In 2001 he became a Trustee of CMS. In 2001 he was appointed as an Honorary Canon of Byumba, Rwanda.
On 1 January 2008 he became Chair of CMS.
Bishop Paul is an author; he has published a number of booklets and 3 books: Reaching Children (1992), Reaching Families (1995) and Temptation and Testing (2007).
He is married to Rosemary and has four children. His interests include reading, writing, travel, gardening and music.
> Bishop Paul's Lent series on prayer, 2008
> Sermon by the Bishop of Winchester at Bishop Paul's commissioning, 2004
Bishop Paul's article below describes his role as a Bishop 'for children'
(article September 2006)
I have an involvement with and commitment to children’s ministry which has existed throughout the years since I came to personal faith in Jesus Christ in 1970. For much of my ministry working with children, young people and families has been either the major, or one of the major, focii of that ministry.
On being made a bishop one of my major personal questions has been “Why has God called this children’s specialist to be a bishop at this time?” and “How can I use my gifts and experience in, and my calling to, children’s ministry as a bishop?”
The Archbishop of Canterbury invited me to be “an advocate for children” within in / on behalf of the house / college of bishops.
I held conversations with a wide range of people inside and outside the C of E all of whom encouraged me to pursue this role with vigour.
There are others with a particular focus on Child Protection, Education, Youth & Family Life. There needs to be recognition of where areas overlap. My focus is on how we are engaging children outside the church with the good news of Jesus Christ, and how children are nurtured in their discipleship.
Outworking the role
1) Within the Church of England
a) Acting as a non managerial adviser / supporter / encourager to the National Children’s Adviser
b) Attending the Diocesan Children’s Advisers Conference annually.
c) Seeking to ensure that bishops – through the House / College of Bishops -consider the impact on / relevance to children of items on their agendas which may not at first sight appear to relate to them.
d) Take a particular lead within the House / College of Bishops on matters specifically relating to children’s evangelism and discipleship always liaising carefully with those who hold briefs for education and youth.
e) Undertake theological reflection and writing on child theology and ministry and encourage others to do so.
2) Wider context
a) Develop further appropriate network links with other denominations, Children’s Society, Children Matter, Child Theology Network, Fresh Expressions, Scripture Union International, Viva Network and so on.
b) Liaison as appropriate with the Safeguarding Advisor (child and adult protection) for the Methodist Church and the Church of England.
c) Through writing and speaking seek to help the wider church engage in fresh ways of thinking and practice in children’s ministry. This to be both at national and international levels.