Steven Betts

British Anglican priest

Sarah Taylor
​
(m. 1992)​
ChildrenThreeEducationNottingham Bluecoat SchoolAlma materUniversity of York
Ripon College Cuddesdon
University of Oxford

Steven James Betts (born 22 November 1964) is a British Church of England priest. Since 2012, he has been the Archdeacon of Norfolk.

Early life and education

Betts was born on 22 November 1964 to Ronald and Mary Betts.[1] He grew up in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire.[2] He was educated at the Nottingham Bluecoat School, then a grammar school.[1] He studied chemistry at the University of York and graduated with a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in 1986.[2][3]

In 1987, Betts entered Ripon College Cuddesdon to train for ordination.[3] During this time, he also studied theology at the University of Oxford, completing a Certificate in Theology (CTh) in 1990.[1]

Ordained ministry

Betts was ordained in the Church of England as a deacon in 1990 and as a priest in 1991.[3] From 1990 to 1994, he served his curacy at Holy Cross Church, Bearsted, Kent, in the Diocese of Canterbury.[1]

In 1994, Betts moved to the Diocese of Norwich.[4] From 1994 to 1997, he served as chaplain to Peter Nott, the then Bishop of Norwich.[1] From 1997 to 2005, he was Vicar of the Church of St Margaret, Old Catton, Norfolk. Between 2001 and 2005, he was additionally the Rural Dean of Norwich North.[3] From 2005 to 2012, he was the Bishop's Officer for Ordinands and Initial Training[1][2] In that role, he had responsibility for all candidates for ordination from the Diocese of Norwich and for the training of the diocese's newly ordained clergy.[4] He was made an honorary canon of Norwich Cathedral in 2008.[3]

In 2012, Betts was appointed Archdeacon of Norfolk.[3] On 29 April 2012, he was installed as archdeacon in Norwich Cathedral.[2][4]

Betts was Chair of the House of Clergy of the Diocese of Norwich.[2] He is one of four elected representatives from the Diocese of Norwich at the 2015-2020 General Synod of the Church of England.[5]

Personal life

In 1992, Betts married Sarah Taylor.[1] She is a clinical scientist.[2] Together, they have three sons.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h "BETTS, Ven. Steven James". Who's Who 2015. Oxford University Press. November 2014. Retrieved 22 November 2015.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Archdeacon of Norfolk". Diocese of Norfolk. Church of England. Retrieved 22 November 2015.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "Steven James Betts". Crockford's Clerical Directory (online ed.). Church House Publishing. Retrieved 5 December 2015.
  4. ^ a b c "Canon Steven Betts appointed as Archdeacon of Norfolk". BBC News. 31 January 2012. Retrieved 22 November 2015.
  5. ^ "List of Members - House of Clergy". General Synod. The Church of England. 2015. Retrieved 22 November 2015.