The Archdeacon of Bristol, Ven Tim McClure, retires this week following over 20 years in the Diocese of Bristol and 13 years as an archdeacon.
At a beautiful farewell service of choral evensong at Bristol Cathedral on Friday 6 July, Tim preached about a strong theme of his ministry, that the Church should be a counter-cultural movement in society.
Bishop Mike gave thanks for his keen mind, calmness in all circumstances and warm character. He also highlighted his dry sense of humour, both in person and his preaching, which, he said, “draws you in to make the challenge of what he has to say all the more powerful”.
Tim became the Archdeacon of Bristol having spent much of his ministry engaging with institutions. He spent eight years as a Higher Education chaplain in Manchester before becoming the General Secretary of the Student Christian Movement from 1982 to 1992.
Tim came to Bristol in 1992 to take on leadership of Social and Industrial Ministry and subsequently became the first Director of ISR (Churches’ Council for Industry and Social Responsibility).
Over more than 40 years of ordained ministry he has also been involved in parochial ministry in Yorkshire, Manchester and Bristol, worked in Traidcraft’s start-up phase, later becoming its Chairman, was Chaplain to the Lord Mayor of Bristol and was appointed an Honorary Canon of Bristol Cathedral in 1992.
After 10 years of taking responsibility for the Bristol Archdeaconry, he agreed to become the leader of the newly formed Strategy Delivery Team in the Diocese. Speaking in response to Bishop Mike’s tribute, Tim reflected on the excitement of working throughout the Diocese in this role and what has been achieved for the growth of the Church and Kingdom so far.
Tim and Barbie will be greatly missed by friends, family and colleagues in Bristol as they move to Cumbria where Tim intends to make the most of his many skills and interests. The prayers and very best wishes of the Diocese of Bristol go with them.
Following Tim’s retirement, Bishop Mike has taken on leadership of the Strategy Delivery Team and there are no current plans to recruit a new Archdeacon of Bristol.
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