Barney's Bio

Barney has been the leader of City Gates Church since the summer of 2009, when he took over from the well loved Matt Frost, now Pastor of Cirencester Baptist Church.

Barnabas Anthony Richard Skrentny, one wife, four children, lives in Tufnell Park. Born in the USA, he came to the UK in 1972 aged 8. Yorkshire boarding school education, Law degree from UCL (where he met his wife); worked for Holy Trinity Cambridge as pastoral assistant, and then with City Gates Church running a homeless hostel (the Gate House) from 1987-1988. 

Married to Shirley in 1988 (first ever City Gates wedding) and moved to South East London, 1989, to plant and lead a church in Deptford Park, SE8 (1991-1996). Ministry Assistant to Roger Mitchell (former Ministry Assistant to Roger Forster) 1996-2001, and congregation leader of Passion for Camden Town, a pub church. 

Moved to Canada in 2001 to study theology at Regent College, Vancouver and received Master of Christian Studies degree (Practical Theology) in 2004. Returned to UK even though Vancouver is the one of the best loved cities in the world, because still felt called to London. Began PhD with the Oxford Centre for Mission Studies, in late 2004, which must be finished soon! 

Nicholas Healy says: "the church is the place where the debate goes on as to how best to be faithful to Jesus," and Barney agrees with this! He loves talking about the Sermon on the Mount, spurring one another on, practical care, personal openness, the pursuit of particular spiritual goals, and running the race! He sees the church as the place where we create practices that promote mutual love, holiness and outreach.

Barney is a "prophetic" according to Andy Raine's motivational gifts book, "Given for Life," ENTJ or "Field Marshall" according the Myers-Briggs personality types and a synthesist/analyst according to Harrison and Bramson's "Art of Thinking," a book on thinking styles.  He enjoys playing the guitar, family walks, restoring and painting old furniture, wikipedia, and of course being married to Shirley and his fantastic children!