Philip Mounstephen

Mounstephen was born on 13 July 1959 in Crookham Village, Hampshire, England.[1] He was educated at St Edward's School, Oxford, an independent boarding school in Oxford, Oxfordshire.[1] He studied English literature at the University of Southampton, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in 1980.[2][3] He then underwent teacher training at Magdalen College, Oxford, completing his Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) in 1981.[1]

In 1985, Mounstephen entered Wycliffe Hall, Oxford, an Evangelical Anglican theological college, to train for ordained ministry.[2] During this time, he also studied theology at Magdalen College, Oxford, and he graduated with a further BA in 1987:[1] as per tradition, his BA was later promoted to a Master of Arts (MA Oxon) degree.[2] He also completed a Certificate in Theology (CTh) in 1988.[1]

Mounstephen was ordained in the Church of England: made a deacon at Petertide 1988 (3 July) at St Mary's Church, Amersham[4] and ordained a priest the following Petertide (2 July 1989) at Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford — both times by Simon Burrows, Bishop of Buckingham.[5] From 1988 to 1992, he served his curacy at St James Church, Gerrards Cross with St James' Church, Fulmer in the Diocese of Oxford.[2] From 1992 to 1998, he was Vicar of St James Church, West Streatham in the Diocese of Southwark.[1]

In 1998, Mounstephen joined the Church Pastoral Aid Society (CPAS) and served in a number of roles.[1] He was head of Pathfinders from 1998 to 2002;[1] director of the CY Network from 2001 to 2002;[2] head of ministry from 2002 to 2007;[1][2] and deputy general director from 2004 to 2007.[2]

In January 2007, Mounstephen returned to parish ministry as chaplain (the senior minister) of St Michael's Church, Paris.[3] During his time in Paris, he also served as a member of the Diocesan Synod of the Diocese in Europe.[6] He was a made a minor canon of the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, Gibraltar in August 2012,[7][8] and he was collated as a "canon without stall" during a service at St Matthew's Church, Westminster in October 2017.[9]

On 1 July 2012, it was announced that Mounstephen would be the next Executive Leader of the Church Mission Society (CMS) in succession to Tim Dakin.[10] He took up the post on 13 October 2012 during a commissioning service at St Aldate's Church, Oxford.[7][11]

On 30 August 2018, it was announced that Mounstephen would be the next Bishop of Truro, the diocesan bishop of the Diocese of Truro.[12] He officially became Bishop upon the confirmation — on 20 November 2018 at St-Mary-le-Bow — of his election;[13] he was consecrated a bishop[14][15] on 30 November at St Paul's Cathedral by Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, and was welcomed at Truro Cathedral on 12 January 2019.[16]

In 1984, Mounstephen married Ruth Weston. Together they have one daughter.[1][7]

• Mounstephen, Philip; Martin, Kelly (2004). Body beautiful?: recapturing a vision for all-age church. Cambridge: Grove Books. ISBN 978-1851745739.
• Mounstephen, Philip (2015). "Teapots and DNA: The Foundations of CMS". Intermission. 22.
• Berry, Mark; Mounstephen, Philip (2017). The Forgotten Factor: Placing Community at the Heart of Mission. Cambridge: Grove Books. ISBN 978-1788270021.