On the momentous anniversary of his role as the Archdeacon of Sarum, we asked The Ven Alan Jeans about some of the most notable moments from his past twenty years of service.
What have been some of the highlights of your time as Archdeacon of Sarum?
"Like any job, role or ministry, the day-to-day life as the Archdeacon simply comes to you, and you manage it with the best you can do. Contributing to the shaping and forming of the life of the Diocese alongside three Diocesan Bishops has been interesting – although the actual delivery of the mission and ministry can only be undertaken by the local Body of Christ – clergy and laity working together to be the presence of Christ in their communities. That’s the main focus of the Archdeacon.
Over such a long period in office, I have enjoyed some of the key occasions in the life of the Diocese. These would include Archbishops of Canterbury visiting the Diocese, and members of the Royal Family coming to the Cathedral. Special moments would include becoming a Cathedral Canon and serving nine years on the Cathedral Chapter; engaging in local Benefice and Deanery Mission weeks with Bishop Stephen Conway; and marking the 800th anniversary of the sealing of Magna Carta in 2015 and attending a reception at the British Library where all four surviving copies of the Magna Carta were displayed together – and our Cathedral has the best copy by far!
In 2002, just before becoming the Archdeacon, I was appointed an Army chaplain, working with Wiltshire Army Cadet Force, keeping me in ministry amongst young people. This army chaplaincy has brought a close working relationship with the British Army, and their chaplains, and we are proud to work in cooperation with the large military presence across the Diocese. My work with young people also continues in the Diocese in visiting the many Church of England Schools, and community schools across the Archdeaconry.
One of my lesser-known contributions was to the situation comedy, REV – where I was the consultant Archdeacon for series three. Yes, I was the Archdeacon who put The Rev’d Adam Smallbone [Tom Hollander] through his Clergy Discipline Measure, after he was caught kissing the primary school Head Teacher. I was invited to the screening of the first episode in St Leonard’s Shoreditch, aka St Saviour’s in the Marsh, where I met the cast.
Week by week though, nothing exceeds serving the servants of God, resourcing the clergy and lay ministers in their local context; and worshipping Sunday by Sunday in different parish churches, preaching and presiding as a priest. It never fails to lift heart and soul to heaven and is a wonderful counterpoint to all those never-ending weekday meetings and PCCs!"
What have been the most significant moments for the Church of England over the past 20 years?
"I believe the national Church’s significant moments over this twenty-year period, have been inclusivity of gender and sexuality – although still a significant cause for division in our Church. I was there in the General Synod when it was permissible for the ordination of gay priests in civil partnerships in 2005 and the ordination of gay Bishops in civil partnerships in 2013 (all in accordance with the House of Bishops’ Guidelines); and noting the UK laws permitting same-sex marriages, but excluding the Church of England, also in 2013; and the ordination of women priests as Bishops in 2014. It seems remarkable that it was only in November 2002 that divorcees were permitted to marry in church – although by exceptionality, and with a conscience clause as an opt out for some clergy.
The Church of England is one of the most complex of organisations and therefore leads to so much confusion and misunderstanding, to both church members and those in the communities we serve. I fear that institution takes up far too much time, energy and resources, and whilst the current Church of England vision is Simpler, Humbler, Bolder – we are still a way off from being clearly understood in terms of who pays for the clergy, the maintenance of church buildings etc."
What’s the most exciting development in the diocese?
"It has been a huge privilege to serve all my ordained ministry in the Diocese of Salisbury. Over the years, we have had much to celebrate and hold high in our common life. In those early days with Bishop David Stancliffe, I worked with a group in pioneering the introduction of Common Worship; and the Admission of Children to Holy Communion.
We also introduced the Ordained Local Ministry scheme, that recognised vocations for potential clergy and trained them in the Diocese for local mission and ministry. We also have a plethora of local lay commissioned ministries: Lay Pastoral Assistants; Lay Worship Leaders and Lay Pioneer Ministers; alongside our well-beloved Licensed Lay Ministers. Vocations to all ministries needs to be a high priority for us all.
I’m also very excited to see a real positive development in the establishing of so many new worshipping communities across the Diocese: Messy Church; Breakfast Church; Pub Theology. These and many other initiatives that have made our Diocesan life in Christ more accessible to so many people, who would rarely come and settle with us on a Sunday morning in our churches. Looking ahead I am confident that we will have new developments to keep us active in mission and ministry."
Comparing the Church of 2003 with today’s Church – how is it doing?
"Looking back over these twenty years, I realise that in 2003 we focussed too much of our time and resources on maintaining the status quo in our Diocesan and parish life. I’m sure the prophetic voices were saying to us what the future might well be like – but I think we were too preoccupied with institution, rather than exploring how we could include more people who felt marginalised by the Church of England.
I hope and pray we will use our diminished resources today, to remove the obstacles that we are unintentionally unaware of, and offer our Christian discipleship to those who need it most in our generation. We are doing OK – and in the power of the Spirit, and in union with Christ, we will extend the love of God in the mission and ministry of the local church, in the communities we are serving."
We'd like to wish Archdeacon Alan a huge congratulations on his twenty-years of being Archdeacon, and for his fantastic work within the Diocese to continue well into the future. If you know someone who's outstanding service to our Diocese deserves recognition, we'd love to hear from them by email at comms@salisbury.anglican.org!