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 Christ Church’s Team Vicar worked in the finance industry before training for ordination, and is well-known for his Elvis impersonation.
In one of those lovely co-incidences - or God-instances - that God sends us to enjoy from time to time, Warner Pidgeon grew up in the parish where his predecessor at Christ Church, Paul Hinckley, is now serving.
Childhood - and a decision
“I was sent off to Sunday School in Yateley by my parents and, in time, was confirmed. I grew to enjoy the worship, even as a child, and sang in the church choir. In my teens, though, it was actually the Boys’ Brigade that kept me in touch with the church.”
A pivotal moment came for Warner when one of the leaders invited him to a youth event in 1985. “I realised, as I listened to the speaker, that the Jesus he was speaking about was real, and was interested in me. I prayed a prayer of commitment, and my life changed forever that night.”
A career in finance
Warner’s first job was with Lloyd’s Bank, and he soon showed an aptitude for finance. By the time he was thinking about ordination, he was a Senior Branch Manager with the Woolwich.
“I loved the opportunity to meet lots of new people all the time” he says, “but that doesn’t mean that I always found it easy to remember all their names!”
Family Life
In 1990, Warner married Moira who, herself, came to faith at the age of 12 on a Pathfinders’ camp. Apart from being a busy mother and home-maker, Moira is a keen runner and can easily out-run her husband. They have three children, Stephen, Matthew and Rebekah, who are all enjoying their life in Essex.
Training
Warner trained at Trinity College, Bristol where he thoroughly enjoyed his studies.
(It is interesting that this team ministry has benefited from all but one of the major Evangelical Anglican colleges: Elwin was at Oak Hill College, Annabel studied at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford, Darren and Paul were at Ridley Hall, Cambridge, Martin and Colin studied at St John’s, Nottingham, and David and Julie Eaton were both at Trinity, Bristol, like Warner. The only exception is St John’s, Durham).
Curate at St Thomas’
Since leaving Bristol, Warner has been the curate at St. Thomas' Church, Fair Oak and Horton Heath, which is not far from Southampton. In this role he soon discovered that he had not lost his love of meeting new people and getting to know them.
“God has given me a real passion for people, and especially for reaching people who don’t yet have a love for Jesus. That means people of all ages: Having children of my own, I can get on with the very young, but I also really enjoy spending time with my 80-year-old grandmother, who helps me to see things from the point-of-view of someone who isn’t as young as she was but still has a lot of wisdom to offer. At Christ Church, I want to hear from everyone - young and old - to be involved in the community and in what God is doing here.”
Team Ministry
One of the things that attracted Warner to Billericay was the opportunity to work in a team ministry with a history of successful collaboration. “I’m someone who enjoys the mutual support and encouragement that team ministry offers, while also thriving on my own particular responsibility for building the church family at Christ Church, in partnership with the readers, wardens, DCC and everyone else here.
As churches, we need to work together on our shared mission to the people of this area and can learn so much from each other in the process.”
Time off
When he gets the chance, Warner loves cooking. “There’s nothing better than being able to spend some time getting the ingredients together for a really good curry.”
He is also a passionate supporter of Gillingham Football Club and is sure that they will be “pushing for promotion next season”, he argues, with the optimism that all true fans demonstrate.
Music—And Elvis?
Warner plays the guitar and at one time sang and played in a rock group called Cross References at evangelistic events around Yateley.
More recently, it was his Elvis impersonations that are the talk of the parish. “I’ve got all the gear” says Warner, “but it’s certainly a matter of enthusiasm rather than accuracy. This isn’t something I’m planning to make a career of.”
An ongoing story…
The one real constant in all this is our guide and inspiration, Jesus Christ, who is ’the same, yesterday, today and forever’
All members of our team churches will want to be praying for Warner and for the whole team as we continue in the life of our team ministry
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