Jonathan Draper

Jonathan Lee Draper (born 27 February 1952) is an American Anglican priest, theologian, and academic. Since 2017, he has been the general secretary of Modern Church. From 2012 to 2017, he was the dean of Exeter, at Exeter Cathedral in the Church of England Diocese of Exeter.

Early life and education Draper was born on 27 February 1952 in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. He was educated at Plainfield High School, New Jersey.

Draper entered Ripon College Cuddesdon, an Anglican theological college near Oxford, to train for ordination. He completed his training in 1983. During this time, he also studied for a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree at St John's College, Durham, which he completed in 1984.

Ordained ministry Draper was ordained in the Church of England as a deacon in 1983 and as a priest in 1984. He also worked as a lecturer in theology at the University of Oxford. In 2000, he moved to the Diocese of York where he had been appointed the canon theologian (a canon residentiary) of York Cathedral.

Later life In July 2017, it was announced that Draper would be the next general secretary of Modern Church, a liberal Christian charity. He took up the part-time post on 1 September 2017. Together they have three children.

Selected works

Styles 1952–1983: Mr Jonathan Draper 1983–1984: The Reverend Jonathan Draper 1984–2000: The Reverend Dr Jonathan Draper 2000–2012: The Reverend Canon Dr Jonathan Draper 2012–present: The Very Reverend Dr Jonathan Draper