CLERGY SUPPORT

Within the context of a broad understanding of episcopal oversight and care, clergy themselves remain responsible for their own spiritual, emotional and physical health. The Diocese, however, also recognises its part in enabling and maintaining the clergy’s well-being and seeks to provide support not only through its formal structures but also by encouraging the clergy to take advantage of a range of supplementary resources available regionally and nationally.

PROFESSIONAL AND PASTORAL SUPPORT

The Bishop, Archdeacons, Director of Ministry and Rural Deans are always available to offer professional pastoral support to clergy through telephone conversations and personal appointments. Pastoral care is also one of the aims of the Bishop’s provision of Ministry Review (see 5.2).

SPIRITUAL SUPPORT

Available to all clergy is the Bishop’s Adviser for Spirituality, whose name, address and telephone number are in the Diocesan Directory. All clergy are encouraged to make use of an annual retreat and the services of a Spiritual Director (or Soul Friend – whatever name one wishes). Some priests also find a Confessor helpful.  From time to time, the Bishop calls all the clergy of the Diocese together for a day of teaching, encouragement and spiritual reflection. A residential Clergy Conference is normally held every three years.

PERSONAL SUPPORT

This heading is intended to cover not only the clergy themselves, but also their dependent relatives. Provision for this is through a confidential counselling service available to all clergy households in the Diocese. The name, address and telephone number of the Adviser is to be found in the Diocesan Directory.

EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT

This may be found primarily through the provision of Continuing Ministerial Education. All clergy are encouraged to make use of funds budgeted every year within the Diocese for this purpose.

WORK CONSULTANCY SUPPORT

Some clergy may find it helpful to meet from time to time with an experienced priest or lay person who may be able to help them explore and gain new perspectives on a challenging work-related area.  These new perspectives may be personal, practical, theological, organisational or vocational. Details of this service may be found by contacting the Advisor on Confidential Counselling whose details appear in the Diocesan Directory.

PEER GROUP SUPPORT

Peer group support can be found in such a variety of forms that everyone should be able to find some means of peer support; indeed all clergy have a responsibility for creating such support for themselves.

The Chapter Meeting, (under the guidance of the Rural Dean), is outside the Synodical structure, and can be an important resource for support. Its principal disadvantage for some is that the choice of other members of the Chapter is not in the hands of the individual, and that it may be in a smallish group of people with whom there is little in common in terms of outlook, age and gender. On the other hand, many have been surprised by how much support clergy of different persuasions can give each other. The possible tension between the Chapter as a fellowship and as a business meeting need not be exaggerated, since often it is out of a business matter that the most helpful discussions arise in fellowship.

Alongside Chapters are also local ecumenical ministers' meetings. Much of what has been said about Chapters is true of these meetings also.

For newly-ordained clergy, post-ordination training will provide opportunities for sharing needs and concerns, out of which can often arise friendships which last many years. For other clergy, attendance at courses of Continuing Ministerial Education (see 5.3 - particularly residential courses) should not only provide intellectual and spiritual stimulus for the individual, but also fellowship and support from others at the course. Such courses can be especially helpful at points of transition in ministry e.g. moving into first incumbency or taking on a new responsibility.  At such times, it may also be helpful to have a mentor to offer ongoing guidance and support. Contact the Director of Ministerial and Adult Learning for further details (see Diocesan Directory)

Many clergy also remain members of a cell of people who were at theological college together. These cells may meet only once a year, but give opportunity for sharing at a level not possible in a local group. Some clergy have close confidants (as distinct from a spiritual director) with whom they meet from time to time. Others join with neighbouring clergy for informal study groups, perhaps of a theological book or a member's paper. Yet others still have developed their own support or focus groups of those with whom they may reflect about their ministry; these can be very valuable, but need careful ground rules to be established in order that they may function most effectively - for example, about confidentiality, membership, time allotted to each member, and above all, the purpose of the group

The Society of Mary and Martha has produced a helpful document ‘Affirmation and Accountability’ which is available from them http://www.sheldon.uk.com/documents/home/publications/affirmation.htm or 01647-252752.