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Clergy Support Groups

BACKGROUND

The role of the priest in the parish, in the institution of the church and as a human being, is increasing in complexity and is not easily managed today. Clergy are expected to have a much wider range of skills than previous generations. Pressures surface as clergy live out their role in the parish, community and their families. The overwhelming experience is one of isolation from their colleagues and from the hierarchy. Caring for one’s self is not a priority.

In early 1999 three support groups began meeting once a month in the Diocese, facilitated by an experienced group leader giving opportunity for members to experience an environment in which they could share something of their personal experience and receive feedback, reflections, encouragement and support from their colleagues. It was hoped that clergy would also feel more equipped to carry out their multiple roles. These groups have led the way for more to form and assimilate new members as others move away.
THE VISION is to grow a culture of care and support available to those in ministry accessible throughout the Diocese.

WHAT HAPPENS?

The groups consist of seven or eight members. Each group with an experienced and supervised facilitator meet together for three hours once a month. They are not therapy groups. Members are free to bring any issues they wish and ask for what help they may want from the others present. That may take the form of being listened to, encouragement, practical help and/or gaining the insights and understanding of others, themselves and the context in which they live and work.

CONFIDENTIALITY

Participants decide how much they want to share. Confidentiality is recognized as crucial to the growth of trust between members. Matters shared are held as strictly confidential and never passed on to others.

COMMITMENT

Commitment to the group is essential. Often in Christian ministry, taking time out is hard to justify, but to do so is simply to copy the best practice of most caring professions where time given to support and supervision is considered vital. Growth in self and ministry require opportunities for reflection on what we are doing - to understanding ourselves and our reactions better.

CONTACT

Membership of these groups is confidential, so we do not handle it in CME. Please contact the Groups Facilitator: Sandy Bagnall (01279 441667)

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