Born in England, Beck has been in New Zealand since 1981 and served in various positions in the Diocese of Auckland before moving to Christchurch.

[4][1] Beck was a member of the team ministry of Glenfield Cooperating Parish on the North Shore of Auckland from 1981 to 1985, and was active in supporting projects for disadvantaged youth.

During this time he was appointed to the executive of the National Council of Churches and was their representative on Te Runanga Whakawhanaunga i Nga Hahi o Aotearoa.

In 1998 he was a national convenor of the Hikoi of Hope which brought thousands of Anglicans and other supporters to march on Parliament to demand fairer and more just policies for those most disadvantaged in New Zealand.

He is also a trustee of the Wayne Francis Charitable Trust, and an Associate Fellow of the NZ Institute of Management.

He also led the 30th anniversary commemoration of the Erebus crash, when many of the relatives of those killed travelled to Scott Base to take part.

For me as a Christian, the act of God is in the love and compassion that people are sharing among each other.Gareth Farr composed a memorial piece for the Christchurch earthquake, Nor'West Arch, first performed on 25 September 2011.