Ship of Fools: Archdeacons in training

Thread: Archdeacons in training Board: Oblivion / Ship of Fools.

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Posted by BigYin (# 17742) on :

Hello all

A quick question if I may - probably for those have been ordained a little while now...

Here at this seminary (which shall remain nameless) a similarly anonymous ordinand has been shouting his/her mouth off about becoming an archdeacon rapidlly after being ordained. I have been studiously avoiding her/him, not least because I don't see him/her around and about much, but also because I was of the opinion that she/he is a fool.

I have been pondering though - is this how archdeacons start? Are they the fools that are ignored whilst in training? Do they get preferment by asking time and time again? Are we likely to see him/her in an archdeacon's grab soon, or is it more likely that they'll spend many years of ministry wishing they were doing something else?

Posted by Jack the Lass (# 3415) on :

Is that the nameless seminary that's in the 'From' field in your profile? (and therefore at the bottom of all of your posts) [Biased]

Posted by Angloid (# 159) on :

All Archdeacons start at Cuddesdon. (Or Ridley, if they are that way inclined)

Posted by Oferyas (# 14031) on :

Archdeacon, or train-wreck. The trick is to make sure the person concerned never becomes your Archdeacon...

Vaguely related. For pure entertainment I once got myself interviewed for a parish vacated when the previous incumbent was made an Archdeacon. It was very interesting indeed. I don't want to be accused of hijacking this thread, so if you want to know what I unearthed you'll have to ask me nicely.....

O (34 years before the mast!)

Posted by Chorister (# 473) on :

The only priest I've heard talking about it said that the position in the church he really, really didn't want was Archdeacon. You've guessed the rest...

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :

I'm not an expert, but it seems to me that the Archdeacon gets a lot of the work, and some of the hassle, of being a bishop, but without the kudos, extra salary, palace and posh hat. Then again, maybe some people who want to be Archdeacons see it as a stopping-off point on the episcopal escalator ... [Big Grin]

Our dean reckons he's got the best job in the Diocese - he gets to worship in its most beautiful church every Sunday (and hear the best music [Biased]

) and he can do without the hassle of being the bishop.

Which suits us just fine. [Smile]

Posted by Earwig (# 12057) on :

Keep forgetting to reply to this....

Archdeacons are nowadays interviewed for the job in the CofE, so they've got to prove they can do it! They need a good grasp of legal matters, good pastoral skills, and understanding that sometimes they'll have to be the bad cop.

They've normally spent a fair bit of time as a parish priest, including being a Rural Dean. They really need to know the ins and outs of parish ministry before they can 'police' it and assist those in the middle of crises.

My guess is that Aspiring Archdeacon wouldn't be 'fasttracked' unless he or she had a legal background.

Posted by BroJames (# 9636) on :

There are just under 130 archdeacons in the C of E (some of whom are Bishops who are also archdeacons) and approximately 8,000 full time equivalent stipendiary clergy, as well as a large number of self-supporting/non-stipendiary clergy. Just over 1.5% of clergy will be archdeacons. I think the chances are reasonably slim unless the person in question shows aptitude for the role at least as great as their enthusiasm for it.

Posted by Zach82 (# 3208) on :

If the seminarian in question actually has the necessary skills and traits, more power to him/her. Why discourage him? If a seminarian wants to be the Archdeacon of Derry, rector of the poshest parish in Peckham, or the auxiliary Bishop of Des Moines, and it seems that they might actually have what it takes, why shouldn't they should say so and save us all the time it would take to listen to a line of false modesty?

The trick is not to get our good seminarians to believe that they aren't good candidates. It's the seminarians who think they are destined to big things, but are depraved, inept tossers that we really have to look out for.

Posted by Thurible (# 3206) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Earwig:
good pastoral skills

Thurible

Posted by Earwig (# 12057) on :

Well, I do reckon they need them! Whether they posess them is a different matter... [Roll Eyes]

Posted by Adeodatus (# 4992) on :

quote:
Originally posted by BigYin:
Here at this seminary (which shall remain nameless) a similarly anonymous ordinand has been shouting his/her mouth off about becoming an archdeacon rapidlly after being ordained. I have been studiously avoiding her/him, not least because I don't see him/her around and about much, but also because I was of the opinion that she/he is a fool.

There could also be an unexpressed element of, "Help! I'm starting to think I've made a horrible mistake wanting to be ordained, the thought of a lifetime of parish ministry fills me with screaming horror, and I'll do anything to get out of it as soon as I possibly can."

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :

In my diocese, if you stay still long enough, you become an archdeacon. At a meeting recently the former dean quietly drawled "well, as the only one in the room who isn't an archdeacon ..."

But though I have remonstrated with the boss he says it's to do with the vast distances, kudos with the patrons, and the vast complexities of indigenous ministry

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