Revd Tony Miles, Superintendent Minister and Team Leader at Methodist Central Hall, Westminster.
In brief:
Tony Miles is a Methodist Minister and the Superintendent Minister and Team Leader at Methodist Central Hall, Westminster. He is married to Frances and they live in Shirley, Croydon. They have two adult children and two grandchildren. Tony is a broadcaster who currently presents the Saturday Quiet Time for Premier Christian Radio and a regular contributor to BBC Radio 2’s Pause For Thought on the Early Breakfast Show. In 2017, Tony was recognised as an ‘International Honoree’ by the Spin Awards in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, for his radio presenting. One of his Radio 2 contributions features in a ‘Pause For Thought’ book, published in 2016. Prior to that, Tony’s most recent book ‘Maybe Tomorrow’ was published in July 2012. This book follows ‘Maybe Today’ which was published on Easter Day 2009 by CWR. In 2003, Tony and Frances wrote their first book, Like A Child. Tony was also a contributor to ‘Living Light’ published by the Nationwide Christian Trust. Tony is actively involved with many organisations, including being a non-executive Director of the international conference centre, ‘Central Hall Westminster Ltd’, and a trustee of the building ‘Methodist Central Hall’. He is also a member of the Rotary Club of Langley Park, Beckenham, and a Paul Harris Fellow. Tony and Frances are supporters of Fulham Football Club.
Bio for those who have nothing better to do:
Family: Tony was born and grew up in Epsom, Surrey, and became a Christian in 1979. He has been married to Frances for 39 years, and they live with their two teenage children, Hannah and Jonathan, in Shirley, Croydon. Frances worked for the Christian charity Stewardship, where she was on the Senior Management Team. Frances is no longer employed but actively involved in Tony’s ministry, Rotary, and is a speaker in her own right.
Ministry: Tony Miles is a Methodist Minister in the 34th year of his ministry. He is the Superintendent and Team Leader at Methodist Central Hall, Westminster (between Westminster Abbey and the QE2 conference centre). Prior to being at Central Hall, he was pastorally responsible for Loughton Methodist Church and Trinity Church, Debden – a Local Ecumenical Partnership (1995-2004). Tony’s first appointment was in the Colchester Circuit, serving four churches (1989-1995). Tony first felt called to the Methodist presbyteral ministry following time as a Lay Pastoral Assistant at Epsom Methodist Church (1984/6) and he trained at Wesley College, Bristol (1986/89). In 1983/4 he had also been a Bible student Cliff College (1983/4). This all followed a change of direction in career: Tony originally completed a business studies course (at NESCOT) and worked for three years as a money broker for a stockbroking firm in the City of London.
Broadcasting: Tony is a broadcaster with over 28 years of experience in commercial radio. He has presented a Saturday breakfast show for Premier Christian Radio for over 26 years. Across all platforms, Premier’s weekly reach is over 400,000 people. Tony’s current two-hour show is the ‘Saturday Quiet Time’ from 6 am until 8 am every Saturday – prior to that he presented the 5 hour Saturday Breakfast Show for 13 years. He has also become an occasional contributor to BBC Radio 2’s Pause For Thought (the 5.45 am live slot), currently with Owain Wyn Evans. Prior to this, he presented a two-hour weekly programme ‘The Talk Shop’ for Ten 17 FM. Tony’s interest in broadcasting began through 8 years of involvement with hospital radio and initially through running his own mobile discotheque (‘Catch 45’) for 5 years. In 2011 Tony was shortlisted for a Jerusalem Award for his Pause for Thought on Radio 2 for TBI Media Ltd and won a Spin Award in 2017 for his radio presenting.
Media Chaplaincy: Tony pioneered the role of ‘media chaplain’ (2004-20014). This was an ecumenical project (funded by the Essex Churches and the Methodist Church). He continues to offer some media chaplaincy support today. He was a founding trustee and former chair of the Church and Media Network (which took over the work of the Churches Media Council) which is responsible for the MediaNet (formerly the Association of Christians in the Media). Tony has been a member of the Radio Academy, a member of the ChurchAds.Net team, involved with God Goss, and has been a short-listing judge for the Jerusalem Awards in the past.
Writing: In 2009 CWR published Tony’s second book, Maybe Today – a book of thoughts, prayers and smiles. His first book, Like A Child, was written in 2003 with his wife, Frances – a book of thoughts for busy grown-ups, based on the words and actions of their children when younger. Tony is a regular contributor to ‘Living Light’ a daily devotional published by the Nationwide Christian Trust with over 40,000 copies distributed.
Other activities: In addition to being a founding trustee and deputy chair of the Church and Media Network, Tony has been a trustee of many charities and actively involved with various organisations. Tony is committed to family life and enjoys popular music, holidays, writing, the theatre, and Fulham Football Club.
