About

Matthew Porter

matthewporter.blog offers reflections on life and leadership in the 21st Century. Aiming to encourage ordinary people to live extraordinary lives in God’s world, this is a refreshed and simplified blog, merging into one both the discipleship and leadership aspects of past blogs.

I am Matthew Porter. Follower of Jesus. Bishop in the Church of England. Writer. Blogger. Bible teacher. British citizen. Born in 1969.

I write to equip others. Writing is part of my calling in life, which is why I blog as well as author books (see matthewporter.uk).

I live in Bolton, Greater Manchester, UK.

I love my wife and family. I’m honoured to be married to Sam – since 1990! And privileged to have 5 sons: Ben, Joel, Luke, Isaac and David.

I appreciate kindness and laughter, fine coffee and well-cured bacon, long beaches and warm sunshine, good design and architecture, thoughtful films and Manchester United. I greatly value generosity, simplicity, festivity and humility.

I serve as Bishop of Bolton in the Diocese of Manchester

Optimist or pessimist? Optimist. Definitely.

Book that changed my life? Has to be the bible. It’s still changing me.

Favourite hour of the day? Either the first when I awaken, or the last before sleep.

Shower or bath? Shower.

Coffee or Tea? Depends on the time of day. In the mornings: flat white coffee, made from freshly ground beans ideally 2 weeks roasted. In the afternoon: Twinings Earl Grey tea.

Thriller or comedy? Comedy. It’s good to laugh.

Favourite hat? It changes. In summer: base-ball cap, bought in USA nearly 30 years ago. In winter: flat cap of brushed grey cotton.

Best piece of advice? Being told by my father as a child to pray the prayer of Samuel: ‘Speak, Lord – your servant is listening’.

Favourite destination? St Brelade’s Bay, Jersey.

Would sing a duet with? Norah Jones.

Success is? Being faithful and fruitful.

Happiness is? The contentedness that comes from following Jesus Christ.

Disclaimer: The views expressed by the author in this blog are the author’s alone.

Contact me at bishopmatthew@manchester.anglican.org