The new Bishop of Warwick will be the Revd Canon Dr Tim Lomax Downing Street has announced today, after his nomination was approved by HM the King.
Originally from Stoke-on-Trent, Tim was ordained in 2007, serving his curacy at Penn Fields in Wolverhampton before becoming vicar of Bayston Hill on the edge of Shrewsbury.
He has been in St Albans Diocese since 2016 where he is Director of Mission and Ministry and a Residentiary Canon of St Alban’s Cathedral. He succeeds the Right Reverend John Stroyan who retired in August 2023.
Tim will become the fifth Bishop of Warwick since the See was established in 1979. The Bishop of Warwick is the suffragan (assistant) bishop in the Diocese of Coventry. Working alongside Bishop Sophie, Tim will serve the whole diocese in this capacity and though he carries the title of Warwick, his role is not specific to that part of the Diocese.
About Tim
The Revd Canon Dr Tim Lomax grew up in Stoke-on-Trent before studying music composition and education at university. His first lay ministry post was in an urban priority area, where he worked with children and young people, supported local schools and contributed to community regeneration. He went on to serve in lay ministry in worship and mission before exploring a call to ordained ministry. Across his lay and ordained ministry, Tim has served churches and communities spanning a variety of traditions and contexts.
Tim trained for ordination at Ridley Hall, Cambridge, and was ordained in 2007. He served his curacy at St Philip’s, Penn Fields, in Wolverhampton, before becoming Vicar of Christ Church, Bayston Hill, both in the Diocese of Lichfield.
Since 2016, Tim has served in the Diocese of St Albans, where he is Director of Mission and Ministry and a Residentiary Canon of St Albans Cathedral. He leads the diocesan team that equips and supports churches, clergy and lay leaders in mission, church growth, vocations, ministerial formation, leadership development and wellbeing. He is particularly interested in helping churches of different traditions and contexts flourish together in God’s mission.
Tim completed a Doctor of Ministry in 2024, researching how the Church can cultivate a vibrant mixed ecology. He served for ten years on the Church of England’s Liturgical Commission and has written on worship, mission and the richness of a Church expressed in many different forms.
Tim is married to Kate, who is also ordained and they have three young adult children. A lifelong musician, he enjoys playing the piano and singing, supporting Stoke City FC, running and spending time outdoors with their Labrador.
Tim said:
“It is with a deep sense of joy that I am following God’s calling to serve as the next Bishop of Warwick. I am looking forward to returning to the Midlands and getting to know the people and places of Coventry and Warwickshire, listening to their stories and discovering where God is already at work and where the Holy Spirit may be opening new possibilities. It will be a privilege to serve alongside Bishop Sophie and colleagues across the diocese as we walk forward together with God, sharing the joy of the gospel of Christ and encouraging churches, chaplaincies, schools and communities to flourish.
At the heart of my calling is a desire to help people of every age and background to follow Jesus and to discover their place in God’s life and mission. I am excited by Coventry’s distinctive ministry of reconciliation and by the opportunity to encourage churches of different traditions and contexts to grow together in faith, hope and love. Please pray for me, for my wife Kate and our family as we prepare to make the Diocese of Coventry our home; and please know that we will be praying for you.”
Bishop Sophie said:
“I am delighted that Tim has accepted my invitation to serve alongside me as Bishop of Warwick. We have been seeking to build a strong culture of openness, trust and collegiality here, as we develop a vision and strategy for 'Growing the Church of England in Coventry and Warwickshire. Reconciled: to God, with each other, for the world.' The advisory panel saw in Tim, a wealth of experience in mission and ministry across a wide range of contexts, combined with a strong pastoral instinct and a passion for youth and children's ministry alongside a deep commitment to helping people of all ages and backgrounds, flourish and thrive. Please join me in praying for Tim and his wife Kate and their family in this time of transition and for the next stage of their lives and ministries.”
Tim will be consecrated as a Bishop on Friday 6th November in Southwark Cathedral, all are welcome. There will be a service of welcome and installation to our diocese at Coventry Cathedral on Saturday 14th November. More details will be announced nearer the time and all are welcome.
via Diocese of Coventry press release.