Cranmer Hall is delighted to announce the appointment of the Revd Dr Joshua Cockayne as Academic Dean. Josh is currently Lecturer in Mission & Evangelism at Cranmer. In his new role he will continue to direct the Bede Centre for Church Planting Theology, and will also serve as co-director of the sector-leading Doctor of Theology and Ministry programme (DThM), which is run in partnership with Durham University’s Department of Theology & Religion. Josh will take up his role on 1 September 2025.
The Warden of Cranmer Hall, the Revd Dr Nick Moore, comments: ‘Josh is an outstanding researcher with a record of working collaboratively on interdisciplinary projects. He has a wealth of experience of ministry and church planting. He is also an engaging and gifted speaker and teacher. I look forward to seeing him offer faith-filled leadership as we continue to serve Jesus Christ and his church through training, research, and teaching.’
The Dean of Anglican Formation, the Revd Sarah Strand, adds: ‘I am absolutely delighted that Josh has been appointed as Academic Dean. Josh is deeply committed to rigorous theological research, grounded in prayer and worship, which serves the mission and ministry of the church. Josh has considerable gifts as a pastor, teacher, and theologian and I’m excited to see the ways he will bring these gifts, and much more, to this new role.’
Prof. Pete Ward, DThM programme co-director in the Department of Theology & Religion, comments: ‘Josh is an innovative and creative theologian, his research and writing has importance both for the church and the academy and I am delighted that alongside his role as Academic Dean at Cranmer he will be the Programme Director for the Durham DThM.’
Josh Cockayne says: ‘I have been privileged to work alongside an outstanding team of teachers and researchers over the past two years, and I am delighted to be stepping into the role of Academic Dean. As the church continues to navigate the changing shape of ministry and mission today, I am excited for us to build on our excellent foundations at Cranmer and to find new ways to serve the church through excellent theological teaching and field-leading research.’
As part of St John’s College Durham, Cranmer Hall has been training ministers for the Church of England and other churches for 115 years. Alongside Residential Ordination training we deliver Context Based Ordination training, a Free Church pathway, and a Certificate in Children’s and Youth Ministry, as well as MA and Doctor of Theology and Ministry programmes. We host the Bede Centre for Church Planting Theology and a Growing Faith Learning Hub as a focus for our training in children’s, youth, and families ministry.
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