A letter from the Office of the Rector, Bishop Paul Donison
As Christ Church continues to grow in depth, breadth, and reach, it is important from time to time to clarify how we are organized for faithful service and mission. In the Church, roles can sometimes be misunderstood as matters of status, especially with all the historical titles within Anglicanism. In reality, such roles and titles exist for service—to bring clarity, accountability, and shared leadership for the good of the whole body. Our focus, therefore, is always on the office rather than the individual, trusting that God uses ordered ministry to bless his people.
With the agreement of our Diocesan Bishop and our Wardens, I am pleased to announce several developments within our cathedral leadership.
I have appointed Canon Jonathan Bailes as my Sub-Dean. In a cathedral context, the Sub-Dean closely assists the Dean in the spiritual and practical leadership of clergy and staff, helping ensure coherence, care, and collaboration across our ministries. Canon Jonathan will also continue fully in his role as Canon Theologian, upholding our doctrinal standards and leading theological formation and education within our community. Canon Jonathan and I complement each other extremely well, and this appointment means we are co-laboring together in a much more intentional way for the sake of the whole parish.
It may be helpful to note that a Canon is a senior and mature church leader entrusted with oversight of a particular area of cathedral life — a leader who carries real responsibility on behalf of the whole church.
I have appointed Travis Wilson as Canon for Family and Adult Discipleship. While continuing to see our Family Ministry flourish, Canon Travis will now also bring renewed focus, energy, and vision to our small-group ministries — an area which I am confident he will excel in and bless many. As you may know, he and his wife, Kelsey Wilson, who serves faithfully as our Events Coordinator, are preparing to welcome their fourth baby girl. Please keep Canon Travis, Kelsey, and their whole family in your prayers during this joyful season.
Canon John Battey will continue his faithful leadership of Community Life and Operations, but I have additionally appointed him as head of Missions. His new title is Canon for Community Life and Mission, and our vision here is bold: to radically expand the mobilization of our members into local, national, and global mission, equipping our people to live sent lives for the sake of the gospel. Canon John has a great love for this, and I am excited to see these ministries grow and thrive under his oversight.
I am pleased to have Canon Toni Brown continuing as Canon for Finance and HR, and Canon Mark Snow continuing as Canon for Music and Worship. As two of our longest-serving staff members, Canon Toni and Canon Mark have profoundly assisted me in leading Christ Church since my arrival. They bring extraordinary wisdom, faithfulness, and giftedness to their ministries, and we are deeply grateful for their continued service.
Together, this group serves as our Executive Leadership Team. I am so very thankful to work alongside such godly, capable leaders. Our entire staff is a tremendous blessing to this church, and these leaders of leaders are a joy to partner with in the work of the gospel.
Finally, to be clear: my role is not changing. For nearly ten years, I have had the honor of serving as your Rector and Dean, elected and inducted as shepherd of this community, and I am immensely grateful to continue doing just that. These developments represent an expansion of our ministry, not a redefinition of it. We trust that this strengthening of leadership will be a great blessing as we continue to invite the world to Jesus’ Table.
