Bishop Todd Hunter has appointed The Rev. Ron Browning of The Mission Anglican Church in Pensacola, Florida, to succeed the Very Rev. Kris McDaniel as Regional Dean of the Southeast, as Kris completes his two-year term. We sat down with Ron before his upcoming installation to talk about how his background has equipped him for this role, his love for the area, and his vision for the Southeast Deanery.
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What Is a Regional Dean?
Regional Deans are key to the success of C4SO, sharing in Bishop Todd’s leadership of mission and pastoral care in each of our six Deaneries.
Among the Regional Dean’s responsibilities:
– Developing and sharing a regional vision for ministry
– Helping Bishop Todd oversee and care for the Deanery
– Providing supportive and collaborative leadership for mission and ministry in the Deanery
– Convening a Clericus (a monthly gathering of the Deanery’s clergy)
– Conducting other Deanery meetings and events
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Q. What made you want to take on this role of Regional Dean?
Ron Browning: I started out among the first congregations that formed the Anglican movement in North America. I was part of the Anglican Mission in America (AMiA), out in Denver. I was the first Network Leader, which is similar to the role of a Regional Dean. Then I became a Cohort Leader, which is similar to a coach. The whole time I was in the AMiA, close to 16 years, I was always in a leadership role. I really like helping young church planters—it’s my passion. I’m too old to do it myself so I enjoy living vicariously through others.
Q. What in your background has equipped and prepared you for this role?
RB: I did a career in the Marine Corps; I was an officer. I was always working with young people, developing their character and mentoring them. It was a natural transition moving into ministry. I was amazed at how much carried over. Ministry is working with people, sharing what you’ve learned and trying to help others along the way, similar to what I did as an officer. My whole life has been a preparation for what I’m doing now. God has a fun way of doing that. Everything ties in.
Q. What is your first priority as Regional Dean?
RB: There’s a lot of challenge in this area. We are so spread out. The most central place is Atlanta, and though Kris McDaniel is handing [this role] over, we’ll keep it as place to gather occasionally. I want to make connections with each of the pastors in the Deanery. I would like to have monthly phone conversations to try to encourage them, share information, and build toward a gathering once a year, in Atlanta. My vision is to get to a place where we don’t feel separated and on our own. I felt like I was out here by myself a lot of the time. So my priority is building relationships and attempting to gather at least annually so we can share ideas and know we’re not in this alone.
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Southeast Deanery Churches
Redeemer Community Church
Atlanta, GA
Led by the Rev. Drew Henley
Saint Peter’s Church
Mt. Pleasant, S.C.
Led by the Rt. Rev. TJ Johnston
St. Mary of Bethany Parish
Brentwood, TN
Led by the Rev. Danny Bryant
The Mission Anglican Church
Pensacola, FL
Led by the Rev. Ron Browning
The Parish
Alpharetta, GA
Led by the Rev. Eddie Kirkland
Trinity Eastside
Decatur, GA
Led by the Rev. Ashley Mathews
Trinity Westside
Atlanta, GA
Led by the Very Rev. Kris McDaniel
Westside Anglican Fellowship
Nashville, TN
Led by the Rev. Jenna Martin
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Q. What are you most looking forward to about being Regional Dean?
RB: Building relationships with these leaders, particularly the younger leaders. I know Kris and TJ really well. We were in the same Network and Cohort in the AMiA. But I’m looking forward to getting to know all the others just starting out and planting. I love talking to them, thinking through strategies, and encouraging them. Church planting is my heart, what I’m passionate about, so being able to come alongside them as they are learning the ropes is an enormous privilege for me.
Q. What is your favorite thing about living in the Southeast?
RB: I’m from this part of the country. I grew up in Monroeville, Alabama, so Pensacola was kind of my backyard. I always figured I’d retire here. During my military career, I was away from the Deep South a long time as I served all over the world in Japan, Hawaii and Washington. But once I moved back here in 2005, I enjoyed being closer to my extended family. I love the Southern style. It’s a unique culture down here, and I just love it. I know it sounds corny but I can really breathe down here. I love the heat and humidity, the way people talk, the way it’s built around family, good food, hanging out. It’s an awesome place to live.
Q. How can we pray for you in this new role?
RB: Pray that God will open all our eyes to what he wants to do in this part of the country. It’s a unique place and we need to be watching for what he’s doing. I believe the Anglican movement is built for doing ministry in the Deep South. Pray for those in our Deanery to keep our eyes open and join together, then join what God is busy doing.
