Colin Morris (Methodist minister)
Encyclopedia
The Rev'd Dr Colin Manley Morris (born 1929) is an English Methodist minister
. Born into a mining family, after his ordination he served the Methodist Church in Zambia
then Northern Rhodesia) for 15 years. He stood out for racial integration within the church, became a close friend of the leader of the independence movement, Dr Kenneth Kaunda
, and was closely involved in the formation of the United Church of Zambia soon after the country became independent. He has always espoused an explicitly anti-racist and socialist
position and argued that it represents the authentic spirit of Christianity.
After returning from Zambia, Colin Morris occupied prominent positions in British Methodism, becoming first the superintendent minister of Wesley's Chapel
in London, and subsequently General Secretary of the Church's Overseas Division. He was President of the Methodist Conference in 1976-77.
From early in his career, Dr Morris has been a regular speaker on the BBC
Radio 4
programme Thought for the Day
, with a radical perspective and an instantly recognizable voice. For a period in 1971 he withdrew from the programme in protest against alleged representations by the Conservative Party
Whips against his criticism on the programme of the party's immigration policy as un-Christian, an incident that caused questions to be asked in the House of Lords
. He was still contributing to Thought for the Day in 2009.
In 1978 Colin Morris moved out of the ordinary work of the Methodist ministry to work for the BBC, as head of TV Religious Programmes. He subsequently held the posts of Head of Religious Broadcasting, Special Advisor to the Director-General
, and Controller of BBC Northern Ireland
. Since retiring from management within the BBC he has continued to broadcast, presenting numerous religious programmes. From 1991 to 1996 he served as Director of the Centre for Religious Communication in Oxford.
As well as his broadcasting work, Colin Morris has been a prolific author of books and pamphlets. Most of his published work reflects either his experience as a white missionary in black Africa, or as an ordained minister working as a professional broadcaster.
Minister of religion
In Christian churches, a minister is someone who is authorized by a church or religious organization to perform functions such as teaching of beliefs; leading services such as weddings, baptisms or funerals; or otherwise providing spiritual guidance to the community...
. Born into a mining family, after his ordination he served the Methodist Church in Zambia
Zambia
Zambia , officially the Republic of Zambia, is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. The neighbouring countries are the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the north, Tanzania to the north-east, Malawi to the east, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia to the south, and Angola to the west....
then Northern Rhodesia) for 15 years. He stood out for racial integration within the church, became a close friend of the leader of the independence movement, Dr Kenneth Kaunda
Kenneth Kaunda
Kenneth David Kaunda, known as KK, served as the first President of Zambia, from 1964 to 1991.-Early life:Kaunda was the youngest of eight children. He was born at Lubwa Mission in Chinsali, Northern Province of Northern Rhodesia, now Zambia...
, and was closely involved in the formation of the United Church of Zambia soon after the country became independent. He has always espoused an explicitly anti-racist and socialist
Socialism
Socialism is an economic system characterized by social ownership of the means of production and cooperative management of the economy; or a political philosophy advocating such a system. "Social ownership" may refer to any one of, or a combination of, the following: cooperative enterprises,...
position and argued that it represents the authentic spirit of Christianity.
After returning from Zambia, Colin Morris occupied prominent positions in British Methodism, becoming first the superintendent minister of Wesley's Chapel
Wesley's Chapel
Wesley's Chapel is a chapel in London which was built by the founder of Methodism, John Wesley. The site also is now both a place of worship and a visitor attraction, incorporating the Museum of Methodism and John Wesley's House...
in London, and subsequently General Secretary of the Church's Overseas Division. He was President of the Methodist Conference in 1976-77.
From early in his career, Dr Morris has been a regular speaker on the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
Radio 4
BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4 is a British domestic radio station, operated and owned by the BBC, that broadcasts a wide variety of spoken-word programmes, including news, drama, comedy, science and history. It replaced the BBC Home Service in 1967. The station controller is currently Gwyneth Williams, and the...
programme Thought for the Day
Thought for the Day
Thought for the Day is a daily scripted slot on the Today programme on BBC Radio 4 offering "reflections from a faith perspective on issues and people in the news", broadcast at around 7.45 each Monday to Saturday morning...
, with a radical perspective and an instantly recognizable voice. For a period in 1971 he withdrew from the programme in protest against alleged representations by the Conservative Party
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
Whips against his criticism on the programme of the party's immigration policy as un-Christian, an incident that caused questions to be asked in the House of Lords
House of Lords
The House of Lords is the upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Like the House of Commons, it meets in the Palace of Westminster....
. He was still contributing to Thought for the Day in 2009.
In 1978 Colin Morris moved out of the ordinary work of the Methodist ministry to work for the BBC, as head of TV Religious Programmes. He subsequently held the posts of Head of Religious Broadcasting, Special Advisor to the Director-General
Director-General of the BBC
The Director-General of the British Broadcasting Corporation is chief executive and editor-in-chief of the BBC.The position was formerly appointed by the Board of Governors of the BBC and is now appointed by the BBC Trust....
, and Controller of BBC Northern Ireland
BBC Northern Ireland
BBC Northern Ireland is the main public service broadcaster in Northern Ireland.The organisation is one of the three national regions of the BBC, together with BBC Scotland and BBC Wales. Based at Broadcasting House, Belfast, it provides television, radio, online and interactive television content...
. Since retiring from management within the BBC he has continued to broadcast, presenting numerous religious programmes. From 1991 to 1996 he served as Director of the Centre for Religious Communication in Oxford.
As well as his broadcasting work, Colin Morris has been a prolific author of books and pamphlets. Most of his published work reflects either his experience as a white missionary in black Africa, or as an ordained minister working as a professional broadcaster.
Published books
- Out of Africa’s Crucible. Sermons from Central Africa. Lutterworth, 1960.
- Black government? A discussion between Colin Morris and Kenneth Kaunda. United Society for Christian Literature, 1960.
- The Hour after Midnight. A missionary’s experiences of the racial and political struggle in Northern Rhodesia. Longman, 1961.
- Church and Challenge in a New Africa: Political sermons. Epworth Press, 1964.
- Include me out! Confessions of an ecclesastical coward. Epworth Press, 1968; Fontana, 1975.
- Unyoung, uncoloured, unpoor. Epworth Press, 1969.
- Mankind my church. Hodder & Stoughton, 1971.
- What the papers didn’t say, and other broadcast talks. Epworth Press, 1971.
- Epistles to the Apostle: Tarsus-please forward. Hodder & Stoughton, 1972.
- The hammer of the Lord: Sign of hope. Epworth Press, 1973.
- Word and the Words : The Voigt Lectures on Preaching. Epworth Press, 1975.
- Bugles in the afternoon. Epworth Press, 1977.
- Get through till nightfall. Fount, 1979.
- God-in-a-box: Christian strategy in the television age. Hodder & Stoughton, 1984.
- A week in the life of God. Epworth Press, 1986.
- Wrestling with an angel. Collins Fount, 1990.
- God in the shower: thoughts from Today. Macmillan, 2002.
- Things shaken - things unshaken : reflections on faith and terror. Epworth Press, 2006.
- Bullet point beliefs: The best of Colin Morris (Edited by Rosemary Foxcroft). Canterbury Press, 2007
Works about Colin Morris
- A Humanist in Africa. Letters to Colin M. Morris from Kenneth D. Kaunda.. Longman, 1966.
- Charlton, L. Spark in the stubble: Dr Morris of Zambia. Epworth Press, 1969.