Diocese of Truro has announced all Strategic Rural Dean roles created to support its parishes and deaneries have now been filled.

After more than a year of vacancies, there will now be a dozen Strategic Rural Deans overseeing those working and worshipping in the diocese – after a commissioning on March 12.

The role of Strategic Rural Dean, introduced in November 2024, includes supporting clergy and helping deaneries to action their deanery plans. These plans enable every church to develop their vision for worshipping God while meeting the needs of their local community.

Those in the roles to date are:

  • Revd Paul Arthur – St Austell
  • Revd Helen Baber – Pydar
  • Revd Adam Thomas – Penwith
  • Revd Chris Butler –  Associate Strategic Rural Dean, Penwith
  • Revd Sean Clancy – Trigg Major
  • Revd Olive Stevens – Assistant Rural Dean, Trigg Major
  • Revd Craig Ruddock (to be commissioned on March 12) – Trigg Minor & Bodmin Deanery
  • Revd Heidi Huntley – Kerrier
  • Revd Michael Johnson – East Wivelshire
  • Revd Ben Morgan Lundie – West Wivelshire
  • Revd Penny Leach – Powder
  • Revd Jeffrey Terry – Stratton
  • Revd Graham Adamson – Carnamath North
  • Revd Dr Adam Dunning (to be commissioned on April 18) – Carnmarth South

Archdeacon of Cornwall The Ven Clive Hogger, said: “Our Strategic Rural Deans offer locally-focussed oversight and leadership and play a key role in enabling the parishes and churches in their areas to grow together in becoming ever more fruitful and sustainable.

“They are a remarkable, diverse and gifted group of people who in turn are supported by their archdeacon and by a programme of learning and equipping and who meet together regularly to encourage each other and to pray.

“This feels like a significant moment in the life of the Diocese of Truro as we seek to step ever more into our shared calling from God to honour Him and to serve the people of Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly, and a tiny part of Devon.”

Isaac McNish, Head of Ministry at Diocese of Truro, said: “Strategic Rural Deans are a vital part of the Oversight-Local pattern of ministry within the Diocese of Truro. They are leaders of mission across groups of benefices, helping clergy and local leaders to collaborate more deeply, share wisdom, and support one another in serving their communities.

“This ministry reflects the recognition that the flourishing of the Church in Cornwall depends on the gifts of the whole body of Christ. Together oversight ministers, local church leaders and both licensed and commissioned lay ministers bring distinctive strengths, enabling locally rooted ministry to be sustained by wider relationships. Strategic Rural Deans play an important role in nurturing those connections, encouraging prayerful and practical support, and shaping a shared vision for mission across the deanery.

“To have all twelve in post is a hopeful sign of a Church discerning together where God is already at work and joining in that mission with confidence, generosity, and hope.”

 

We will be sharing more stories about Strategic Rural Deans over the coming months.

Read about Helen Baber when she stepped into her role in 2023 here: Pydar welcomes new Rural Dean – Truro Diocese : Truro Diocese