THE Revd Christopher Sims, currently vicar of Shrewsbury Abbey, has been named as the next Archdeacon of Walsall. He will take over from the Ven Bob Jackson who retires in August after five years in the post.

He will be responsible for legal and administrative support for churches in the archdeaconry, covering 319 clergy and lay ministers in 111 churches across the Trysull, Walsall, Wednesdbury, West Bromwich and Wolverhampton deaneries.

Making the announcement, the Bishop of Lichfield, the Rt Revd Jonathan Gledhill, said: ‘I am delighted that Christopher is to be the new Archdeacon of Walsall. Shrewsbury Abbey has flourished under his leadership and many in Shrewsbury will be very sorry to see him leave. He has great gifts of encouragement and organisation; and can spot when things need attention.

‘He is a very experienced parish priest and rural dean in many different settings. His posts have shown that he is energised by conflict and chaos and that where he has found schism and disharmony he has been able to lead people through to an agreed solution. The starting point has been prayer, the outcome healing and growth. He will build on all that Bob Jackson has achieved over the last five years and work with colleagues in the Wolverhampton Area to encourage spiritual and then numerical growth in all the churches.’

Christopher will begin his new role at a date yet to be confirmed towards the end of the year.