“There is a lot of hope in the deanery.”
CASE STUDY: DEANERY PLANS IN PENWITH.
“There is a lot of hope in the deanery.” – Revd Chris Butler.
The deanery plan is a document to help churchgoers focus on their goals, visions and how best to help their community.
In Penwith, the plan was ‘well written’, but it wasn’t being followed, explained Revd Adam Thomas. So when he and Revd Chris Butler took the reigns as Rural Deans in Penwith last year, they decided to start from scratch and invite people to a ‘shared conversation’ event and start afresh.
After hours of prayer and planning, they set a date in the diary for November 2025. Everyone in the deanery were invited, including the Archdeacon who was there as a ‘listening ear’.
Revd Thomas said: “We asked all clergy and readers to announce the event and to let people know anybody could go – that it wasn’t just for members of the Parochial Church Council (PCC).”
Revd Thomas and Revd Butler also sent out scores of email invites and together they spread the word about the event, hosted by the parish church in Paul.
“We were hoping for 50 or 60 people to come,” Revd Thomas said, “but 110 people turned up.”
The day started with The Ven Clive Hogger, Archdeacon of Cornwall, presiding over an eucharist. This was intentional to show they were all putting God first.
Revd Thomas said: “Archdeacon Clive came to listen. He didn’t talk, just listened.
“We designed the whole process so people were truly listened to.
“We agreed how to talk to each other, nobody spoke badly and agreed to disagree gracefully. It was a cathartic moment.
“The day flowed amazingly.”
Revd Butler said those from Paul Church, hosting the event, were great examples of servanthood – especially as there were twice as many people than expected.
In fact there were so many people, it was decided they should split into two groups for discussion activities. Each group were given pen and paper to write down their wishes and priorities for the deanery plan.
Revd Thomas said: “On that day in the two rooms, one group were upstairs and one downstairs, the same priorities came up.”
He said priorities included:
- An intergeneration church.
- How to better use our resources
- Proposed patterns of ministry (when to hold services, what style of service, etc).
From this event, Revd Thomas saw opportunities for ‘quick wins’ such as creating a recruitment plan to invite consultants.
Since the event three months ago, people are reported to be feeling more positive about the future in Penwith. Whilst speaking to someone in the deanery, Revd Thomas was told: “When I come here it used to be my church, now it is our church.”
He added, they were encouraged for the reviewed deanery plans.
He said: “I am really excited by the buzz maintained from the day and the feedback we have received since.”
Revd Butler added: “There is a lot of hope in the deanery.”
Read more about deanery plan reviews here:
