One of the levers of change in the Diocese of Ely's strategy is to 'develop healthy churches and leaders'. It includes the aim to refresh leadership, so that both clergy and laity feel energised, empowered and liberated to grow in their ministry. The flourishing of the clergy is key to the flourishing of the church.
Clergy wellbeing encompasses all that promotes the health and wholeness of the clergy of the Diocese. Clergy wellbeing is of concern for the whole church and the responsibility for the promotion of wellbeing lies with:
- the diocese, in offering personal support and development of skills necessary for the changing role of those who are ordained and in defining manageable roles for clergy
- the clergy, as they take responsibility for their own wellbeing and are mindful of the wellbeing of their colleagues
- congregations, as they are encouraged to recognise their impact on the wellbeing of their clergy.
"It is hugely important that we take care of our own wellbeing, and that of our colleagues. It is not selfish to take proper time off and retreat time, or to challenge unreasonable and unrealistic expectations, and it will better equip us for the ministry to which we are called." [Bishop Stephen's Letter to Clergy, Epiphany 2018]
Diocesan provision
Diocesan provision includes:
- Wellbeing Contacts for Clergy
- the development of the Ministry Development Review process to include a particular focus on your wellbeing
- the availability of coaching
- training in Resilience in Conflict
- an introduction to Mindfulness
- a series on ' How to Survive and Thrive as a Minister'
- the provision and training of mentors for new incumbents.
Transitions
Times of change and transition affect people in different ways. For some it is a time of excitement where they feel re-energised and focused, for some there is a growing sense of anxiety due to the ‘unknown’, for other it is a mixture of both – and in reality most people move backwards and forwards between all three places at different times.
And of course in ministry, times of transition do not just affect one individual, but also affects those we are close to - our family and the parishes/communities we serve among. Ministry is a highly relational vocation and so it is no surprise that the transitions we face also affect those closest to us. We also recognise that times of transition can also open some of our own vulnerabilities. We want to do all that we can to support you during this time so that the transition you are facing can be navigated well.
The Mission and Ministry department have prouduced a booklet entitled Navigating times of transition well within the Diocese of Ely. This booklet does not provide all the ‘answers’, but rather highlights a number of different areas that would benefit from further thought and reflection. It has been developed through the lived experience of others and is a collection of ‘lessons learned’ – often through mistakes that have been made. There is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution for navigating transition well. At the end of this short guide, we have included some information leaflets that have been developed by the National team to support those who are facing a moment of transition at key times within the ministerial journey.
Please don’t hesitate to contact the Mission and Ministry Department for further information and support: missionandministry@elydiocese.org