CAPTION: Mark Butchers will take up his new role in September
New Principal for South West Ministry Training Course
The new Principal of the South West Ministry Training Course (SWMTC) is the Venerable Dr Mark Butchers, the current Archdeacon of Barnstaple.
The SWMTC is affiliated to the Diocese of Exeter and is one of two colleges in the region offering ordination training for people becoming priests, as well as training for people to become Readers (licensed lay leaders) and other forms of ministry training.
Mark Butchers, who has led the Church of England’s work in North Devon for the last five years, was appointed following a rigorous and open selection process, with interviews carried out over Zoom.
The Bishop of Exeter, the Right Reverend Robert Atwell, said: “Mark has been an outstanding priest and pastor to the people and parishes of North Devon.
“I know they will miss him sorely, but it is good that we won’t lose sight of him.
“He will bring to his new role not only considerable experience of ministry, not least in rural contexts, but also his undoubted gifts as a teacher and theologian.”
Strong sense of calling
Mark said: “When I first heard about the post, I had an incredibly strong sense of calling to put myself forward for the discernment process.
“I’ve been drawn to similar roles in the past, but this particular role even more so. I’m delighted to have been appointed and will relish the challenge it brings.
“It will be a steep learning curve, but I know that there is a good staff team to work alongside and that God will provide all that is needed.
The South West Ministry Training Course is one of two colleges where people can train for ordination in Devon
Mark studied classics at Trinity College, Cambridge, before working as a pastoral assistant at two churches in London.
He did his ordination training at Chichester Theological College and studied for his PhD at King’s College, London.
“His pastoral and leadership gifts will be a great asset to the college”
He has served as a vicar in Exeter Diocese and Oxford Diocese and was the Chaplain and Director of Studies in Theology at Keble College, Oxford.
He has been married to his wife Hilary since 1984 and has two grown-up children and one grandson.
He played a key role in the Joy2020 outreach weekend in North Devon which took place in March, just before the lockdown began and said he would be sad to leave the area: “It will be a big wrench to leave North Devon, but at least I shall still be around in the Diocese.
“The last five years in the Barnstaple Archdeaconry have been enjoyable, creative and challenging and I have learned a huge amount.
“I shall miss the people I’ve got to know and all the good things bubbling away in the Archdeaconry.”
Philip Sourbut, Director of Mission and Ministry for the Diocese of Exeter and current joint principal of SWMTC, said, “I am delighted that Mark has accepted this post.
“He brings enormous experience of the church in the South West as well as theological education. His pastoral and leadership gifts will be a great asset to the College”.
Mark will step down as archdeacon in June to take a sabbatical before being licensed for his new role in a service led by the Bishop of Plymouth on 6 September.
Prebendary Giles King-Smith has been appointed as acting Archdeacon of Barnstaple from June onwards.
