Sam Wells (priest)


Samuel Martin Bailey Wells is an English priest of the Church of England., he has been the vicar of St Martin-in-the-Fields in central London, and Visiting Professor of Christian Ethics at King's College London. In 2018, he was installed as Honorary Canon Theologian of Guildford Cathedral.

Early life and education

Wells was born in 1965 in Chatham, Ontario, Canada, to Stephen Wells, an Anglican priest, and Ruth Wells, a midwife. The family moved to England when he was an infant. He was educated at Bristol Grammar School; originally an all-boys direct grant grammar school when he joined, the school became a independent school in 1979 and mixed sex in 1980.
Having won a scholarship, he studied modern history at Merton College, Oxford, and graduated in 1987 with a Bachelor of Arts degree; as per tradition, his BA was promoted to a Master of Arts degree. From 1987 to 1988, he was a pastoral assistant at St Luke-in-the-City, Liverpool, In 1988, he entered Edinburgh Theological College to train for ordination. During his time at theological college, he also studied systematic theology at New College, University of Edinburgh, and graduated in 1991 with a Bachelor of Divinity degree. He later undertook post-graduate study in Christian ethics at Durham University, and received his Doctor of Philosophy degree in 1996. His doctoral thesis was titled "How the Church performs Jesus' story: improvising on the theological ethics of Stanley Hauerwas".

Ordained ministry

Wells was ordained in the Church of England as a deacon in 1991 and as a priest in 1992. From 1991 to 1994, he served his curacy at St Luke's Church, Wallsend, in the Diocese of Newcastle; the vicar was John Inge, later to become Bishop of Worcester. He then moved to the Diocese of Ely where he became a curate of the parish of St Andrew's, Cherry Hinton, with All Saints, Teversham. From 1997 to 2003, he was priest-in-charge of St Elizabeth's Church, Earlham, Norwich in the Diocese of Norwich. He was additionally rural dean of Norwich South between 1999 and 2003. He then returned to the Diocese of Ely, and was priest-in-charge of St Mark's, Newnham, Cambridge, from 2003 to 2005.
He served in parish appointments for 14 years in Newcastle, Cambridge and Norwich, of which spent ten years of his ministry in areas of social disadvantage. For six years he was involved in establishing a community-led development trust, called the North Earlham, Larkman and Marlpit Development Trust. Wells was also involved in the 'Body, Mind and Spirit' project at St Elizabeth's Earlham, offering children opportunities to participate in creative play.

Dean of Duke Chapel

In 2005, Wells became dean of Duke Chapel and research professor of Christian ethics at Duke Divinity School, North Carolina. He developed and chaired the Faith Council, which consists of 12 members from different faith traditions. He initiated dialogue and led discussions on faith and ethics.
While acting as the Dean at Duke Chapel, Wells coordinated the ministry and music of the chapel, preached and led worship. He also oversaw the campus ministries and taught in the divinity school and the school of public policy. He worked with the local Durham community through organisations such as the Religious Coalitions for a Nonviolent Durham to foster a closer relationship with the university and the city.

Vicar of St Martin-in-the-Fields

, Wells has been the vicar of St Martin-in-the-Fields in central London. He was inducted by Richard Chartres, Bishop of London, on 2 July 2012. As vicar, in addition to his pastoral ministry, Wells is a trustee of The Connection at St Martin's, and of the St Martin-in-the-Fields Trust. From 2014, he has been a regular contributor to Thought for the Day on BBC Radio 4.
In his review of How Then Shall We Live?, Walter Brueggemann wrote, "Sam Wells arguably has the liveliest, most agile, best informed, critically disciplined mind in the entire Christian community. And he has a baptised heart of honesty, compassion, and passion to match his baptized mind. In this book he ranges over a cluster of complex issues and at every turn his sound judgement instructs us as he moves easily from life to Scripture and back through church tradition. This book will serve many of us well who live with daily perplexities that admit no resolution."

Personal life

In 1994, Wells married to Jo Bailey Wells, later an Anglican bishop. They have two children; a son and a daughter.

Publications

How to Preach: Times, Seasons, Texts and Contexts The Moment of Truth: Reflections on Incarnation and Resurrection Living God's Future Now: Conversations with Contemporary Prophets Act Justly: Practices to reshape the world Being With: A Course Exploring Christian Faith and Life: Leaders' Guide Humbler Faith, Bigger God: Finding a Story to Live By Finding Abundance in Scarcity: Steps to Church Transformation A Cross in the Heart of God: Reflections on the Death of Jesus Love Mercy: The Twelve Steps of Forgiveness In Conversation: Samuel Wells and Stanley Hauerwas with Stanley Hauerwas, facilitated by Maureen Knudsen Langdoc With. Thoughts One Can't Do Without The Heart of it All: The Bible's Big Picture A Future that's Bigger than the Past: Catalysing Kingdom Communities Walk Humbly: Encouragements for Living, Working, and Being Face-to-Face: Meeting Christ in Friend and Stranger Liturgy on the Edge: Pastoral and Attractional Worship Who Is My Neighbour? The Global and Personal Challenge Incarnational Mission: Being with the World For Good: The Church and the Future of Welfare Incarnational Ministry: Being with the Church Hanging by a Thread: The Questions of the Cross Eucharistic Prayers Joining the Angels' Song: Eucharistic Prayers for Sundays and Holy Days, Years A, B & C How Then Shall We Live? Christian Engagement with Contemporary Issues A Nazareth Manifesto: Being with God Shaping the Prayers of the People: The Art of Intercession Crafting Prayers for Public Worship: The Art of Intercession Esther and Daniel: Brazos Commentary on the Bible Learning to Dream Again: Rediscovering the Heart of God Be Not Afraid: Facing Fear with Faith What Anglicans Believe: An Introduction What Episcopalians Believe: An Introduction Living Without Enemies: Being Present in the Midst of Violence Christian Ethics: An Introductory Reader Introducing Christian Ethics ; second edition Liturgy Comes to Life Living Out Loud Praying for England: Priestly Presence in Contemporary Culture Speaking the Truth: Preaching in a Pluralistic Culture Revised and expanded edition Power and Passion: Six Characters in Search of Resurrection God's Companions: Reimagining Christian Ethics The Blackwell Companion to Christian Ethics Improvisation: The Drama of Christian Ethics Community-Led Estate Regeneration and the Local Church Faithfulness and Fortitude: In Conversation with the Theological Ethics of Stanley Hauerwas
  • ''Transforming Fate into Destiny: The Theological Ethics of Stanley Hauerwas''