Sir Timothy Hoare Bt OBE, 1934-2008

Sir Timothy Hoare, who died on January 18, was one of a small group of far-sighted individuals who, in the early 1960s, set about bringing the gospel to the City of London.

He was also a founder member of the evangelical group on the Church of England’s Church Assembly (and subsequently General Synod) to which he was elected for a total of 40 years.

Born in Bangkok on November 11 1934, Timothy was subsequently sent to Radley College where he excelled at cricket and shared rooms with Ted Dexter, the future England captain. His love of cricket continued throughout the rest of his life and he could often be seen watching the game from the Pavilion at Lord’s.

Convinced of the truth

During his first year at Oxford, where he read history at Worcester College, he started attending the College Christian Union and, through studying Romans, became personally convinced of the truth of the gospel and committed his life to Christ.

After Oxford he helped established a new Church of England youth ministry, Pathfinders, which took him around the country speaking to churches and establishing summer youth camps. In the early 1960s he joined the staff of St. Helen’s Bishopsgate to assist Dick Lucas in pioneering a lunch-time ministry to bring the gospel to those working in the City of London. In addition to helping Dick with research and assisting with the practical running of the church, he was also involved in meeting with young businessmen who expressed an interest in the gospel and gospel ministry.

In 1960 he was elected to the Church Assembly and soon developed a reputation for thoughtful and persuasive speeches. At a time when many evangelicals had written off the Anglican Church and its structures, a small group sought to stand against the liberal tide and bring the gospel and an evangelical voice to the heart of the debate. His quiet and persuasive manner and immense patience led to significant influence in defence of gospel ministry over the next 40 years on its councils and committees, as the evangelical wing of the church grew in strength.

Headhunter

In 1970 Timothy co-founded the company Career Plan where he was involved in the recruitment of senior figures for a wide range of Christian organisations and advising on career choice and mid-career change. He was also involved in a voluntary capacity with many Christian organisations and charities: CPAS General Committee (and its Board of Patronage), South American Missionary Society, Intercontinental Church Society, Daily Prayer Union Trust, World Vision UK, A. Rocha UK, Kingham Hill Trust (incorporating Oak Hill College), St. John’s College Durham, Rebecca Hussey Trust, Proclamation Trust and Great St. Helen’s Trust. He was also a governor of Canford School, Dorset, for 40 years.

Concern for the nation

Timothy’s interest in the established church reflected a wider concern for the proper (and he believed, vital) influence of the church and Christian individuals in public affairs. This was inspired by his wide reading of the work and influence of the Puritans and the 18th and 19th century evangelicals who brought the transforming power of the gospel to bear on the life of the nation. He served as Chairman of the National Club, founded to promote this involvement, from 1997-2006. He contributed a chapter to the Club’s 250th anniversary book, Our National Life, entitled ‘What makes a nation great?’

In 1996, at the age of 62, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, which, with the support of his family, he fought bravely for 12 years.

His funeral was held at St. Helen’s Church on January 25, led by the Rector, the Rev. William Taylor, with a tribute from Dick Lucas, now Rector Emeritus. A thanksgiving service will be held at St. Helen’s Church at 2.30 pm on Friday April 4. He is survived by his wife, Felicity, and his three children, Charles, Louisa and Kate.

Obituary

Convinced of the truth

Headhunter

Concern for the nation

Richard Kershaw

Main Articles

Other articles