The Reverend Dr James Woodward

  

The Revd Dr James W Woodward

Career Profile

2009 - Canon of St. George's Chapels, Windsor

2000 -
Director of The Leveson Centre for the Study of Ageing, Spirituality and Social Policy, Temple Balsall

The Centre is the Church of England's resource for innovative thinking in the care for older people. It provides an interdisciplinary forum within which the theory and practice of care for older people is developed through conferences, research and publications.

1998 - 2009
Vicar of the Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin, Temple Balsall

Responsible for a small rural parish that has undergone major development and change. This includes building refurbishment and reordering; an increase of the congregation from 12 to 120; renewal of children's work; and nurturing discipleship.

1998 -
Master of the Foundation of Lady Katherine Leveson, Temple
Balsall

A charity providing care for older people in sheltered and residential care.

1996 - 2001
Bishop's Advisor for Health and Social Care, Diocese of Birmingham

Responsible for resourcing the Bishop and Diocese in current trends in health. Liaison with voluntary groups and Birmingham Health Authority.

1996 - 1998
Priest-in-charge of Middleton and Wishaw, Diocese of Birmingham

Pastoral charge of two small rural parishes.
Responsible for the nurture and development of two diverse congregations and community development.

1992 - 1996
University Hospital Birmingham NHS Trust
Manager of Chaplaincy
Based at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital

Responsible for twelve Chaplains across four sites in the delivery of pastoral care to the patients, staff and the institution.

1990 - 1996
Head of Chaplaincy Department
The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham

Involved in the support of eight Chaplains in their work and pastoral care to the Renal Services Clinical Directorate. Establishment of the first ecumenical chaplaincy team.

1987 - 1990
Chaplain to the Bishop of Oxford

Responsible for the efficient and effective organisation of all aspects of the Bishop's work.

1985 - 1987
Assistant Curate, Consett Parish Church, Diocese of Durham

Ordination in the Church of England and a demanding and varied pastoral post in a deprived area of West Durham. Worked with a number of agencies concerned with the unemployed. Chaired Consett Detached Youth Project and secured its funding with Durham County Council at a key stage in its development.

1982 - 1983
Nursing Auxiliary
St. Christopher's Hospice, London

Education Profile

1994 - 1999
The Open University
Doctor of Philosophy
"A Study of the Role of the Health Care Chaplain"

1987 - 1991
The University of Birmingham
Master of Philosophy by thesis (Pastoral Theology)

1986 - 1987
The University of Durham
Certificate in Counselling Studies

1983 - 1985
Westcott House, Cambridge
Lambeth S.Th. by thesis (Pastoral Theology)
"The Pastoral Care of the Long-term Dependent Patient"

1979 - 1982
The University of London, King's College
Bachelor of Divinity (BD)
Associateship of King's College (AKC)

1972 - 1979
Spennymoor Grammar School

Key Skills and Achievements

Three core gifts and skills have emerged in my ministry in service of the Gospel. They are the quality of my pastoral care and inter-personal relationships; my ability to handle administration and motivate people amidst a range of competing demands; and my scholarship in theological reflection and pastoral theology. In all the spheres of my ministry I have learnt ways to work with others which strengthen common purpose and embody shared values in the pursuit of excellence and a vibrant common life. I have good judgement, imagination, tenacity, stamina, self-knowledge and a sense of humour. I have been able to secure the trust of a very diverse number of people in working together to build up and develop places and people. Key to all this is my commitment to thinking and theology as tools for growth.

I have a proven ability of managing change, motivating people and in the implementation of strategic and operational policies in the context of health care chaplaincy and old age care. I have worked with a variety of diverse groups in a number of pastoral settings. I have experience of business planning, fundraising and financial management.

I have an ability to work in and develop teams, and an ability to empower and support a variety of individuals. I seek change in flexible and creative ways. I have been successful in communicating and effecting a vision of what the tasks of the Church are about. I have been able to work with others in enabling my parishes to function and grow by helping people to manage the boundaries between the past and the future amidst change. I have worked with others in thinking, planning, hoping and praying for the future. I have exercised a pastoral ministry of encouragement in the offering of fresh responses to the beauty and creativity of God. I am especially interested in connecting intelligently with those on the margins of faith.

I have skills in problem solving, analysis and written communication. My research record demonstrates ability to write well. My achievement relates to theory and practice. I am an effective administrator, with experience of the press and media, and work well to deadlines without supervision. I have skill in working in a variety of educational settings, including the Theology Department and Medical School of Birmingham University; in theological training at Queen's College; and with the Diocese of Birmingham and with the Open University. I am committed to my own development through informal and formal learning and reflection.

Other Interests and Concerns

2008
Fellow of The Royal Society of Arts (FRSA). 

2003 - 2006
Non Executive Director, Solihull P.C.T.

2002 -
Associate Research Fellow, Warwick Business School, University of Warwick

2000 - 2003
Lay Member of The Royal College of Anaesthetists Patient Liaison Committee

1999 -
Honorary Research Fellow in Practical Theology, University of Cardiff

1994 - 1999
Governor, SCM Press Trust Ltd.

1993 -
Honorary Lecturer, Department of Theology,
University of Birmingham

1993 -
Regular contributor: Reviews in Religion and Theology
(SCM Press)

1993 - 2000
Member, Birmingham Diocesan Board for Social Responsibility

1992 - 2001
Associate Lecturer, Open University Department of Health
and Social Welfare

1991 - 1996
Editor: The Journal of Health Care Chaplaincy

1989 - 1990
Management Committee UB40
Unemployment project in Oxford

Articles and Reviews

I am a regular reviewer in Theology; Contact: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Pastoral Studies and Reviews in Religion and Theology.

A full list of over 200 articles and reviews is available.

Recreations

  • Modern political biography
  • Red wine
  • People
  • Swimming and walking
  • Wales
  • Art
  • Cinema