Several kind people have congratulated me on becoming Rural Dean; and I begin the role in October. I am sure that some have no idea what a Rural Dean is for, or even what constitutes a rural deanery, so I thought the following explanation might help.

From the twelfth and thirteenth centuries dioceses were divided into archdeaconries and these were in turn divided into rural deaneries which held groups of parishes. The term “rural” is a misnomer for many areas today, since they stretch across cities and towns. The deaneries vary enormously in character and size across the whole Church of England. However, “rural” was originally used to distinguish these units from the dean and chapter of the cathedral of the diocese.

The system of rural deaneries was in abeyance from the sixteenth to the early nineteenth century when it was revived.  Our particular deanery consists of sixteen separate parishes, eleven of which are truly rural and the rest lie in the town settings of Bishop’s Stortford and Sawbridgeworth.

My job will be to visit them occasionally on behalf of the Archdeacon, to inspect their records and informally ask the churchwardens how things are going. I will offer them support and guidance if required, especially during an interregnum. Another vital part of the task is to support and encourage the rest of the clergy in the deanery. I also co-chair the deanery synod meetings where clergy and lay representatives meet several times a year.

So, being rural dean is a straightforward but rewarding position. I hope I will bring to it the same enthusiasm and dedication that I try to show in parish ministry, and that it will be an adjunct to that ministry, bringing new insights and contacts. It is important that both church
and secular communities in every area try to work across boundaries and understand each other better, so that benefits can be shared and community built up. I think it is especially good that town and country understand each other’s concerns more fully and cooperate on common needs.

Meanwhile I remain just the same Chris, but maybe a touch busier than before!

Chris Boulton