Ministerial Development Review
Clergy holding the bishop's licence and licensed lay workers have a regular Ministerial Development Review (MDR) every 18 months or so. Reviews provide participants with the opportunity to review what they have been doing, to look at their present activity, and to discern priorities for the future.
Please visit the MDR webpage for further information.
Pastoral Supervision Programme
As part of our serious commitment to clergy care and wellbeing and in line with the Covenant for Clergy Care and Wellbeing which was agreed by General Synod in 2019, Manchester Diocese is taking the first steps to establishing a culture where a pattern of pastoral supervision becomes accepted practice for our clergy.
A new programme of Group Pastoral Supervision is now available. Clergy are invited to sign up for small group sessions led by a trained leader that will provide a confidential space where they can share their day-to-day challenges and experiences amongst a group of supportive peers. Find out more by visiting the Pastoral Supervision webpage.
Spiritual Companions
Christian ministry is founded upon a life of prayer. God is ever doing new things, and without an openness to the Spirit, his purposes and blessings are in danger of passing us by. Not only that, Christian ministry is a weighty calling which may only be maintained in God’s strength and with the gifts of his refreshment. No doubt any Christian knows this; but in the midst of busy ministries, it is all too easy to focus upon the next deadline, pressurising time available for prayer. This is where many find a Spiritual Companion (or Spiritual Director) helpful. A Companion asks the questions, “How is your prayer life, and how might God be speaking to you today?” Through regular conversation, we discern what modes of prayer are most fruitful for us, and return to prayer with renewed expectation.
The details of any relationship with a Spiritual Companion are a matter of negotiation, such as the frequency and length of meetings. However, any minister is encouraged to have a Spiritual Companion, as spiritual wellbeing lies at the heart of all else. In our diocese, we are fortunate to have a number of Spiritual Companions willing to volunteer their services. Licensed ministers wanting further information about these should contact the Bishop of Manchester’s Chaplain in the first instance at BishopsChaplain@manchester.anglican.org
Inter-Diocesan Counselling Service
This service offers professional counselling to Clergy, Licensed Lay ministers, Ordinands and their families in six NW Dioceses of the Church of England. Visit: interdiocesancounsellingservice.org.uk
St Luke’s
St Luke’s provides wellbeing support and counselling for clergy requiring support with their mental health. Further details of how to access this service are available from HR.
Clergy Transitions Service
The Clergy Transitions Service is a service provided nationally by the Church of England which gives confidential, personal support for clergy who are at a vocational crossroads, or who are looking for a fresh opportunity. The service offers both practical help with job applications and interview skills, as well as working with individuals to identify their skills and talents, and to develop greater self-awareness.
Further information is available here, which also details the fee payable for a year’s support. Clergy may self-refer, and diocesan funding is available for any who gain the prior authorisation of one of our bishops or archdeacons.
Employee Assistance Helpline
The Diocese also retains the services of an Employee Assistance Helpline, Heath Assured. This service, which is available to clergy, provides a range of services from counselling to advice on a range of practical matters, such as finance, health and wellbeing and life events. For log in details please click on this link.
Unite Union
The Church of England Clergy Advocates is a professional association of clergy in the Church of England. It is a professional sector of Britains largest union, Unite. Membership is open to all clergy. The Church of England Clergy Advocates network of Accredited Representatives provide advice, support, and representation. Visit the Unite website.
Broken Rites
Broken Rites is an interdenominational group offering mutual support and information to separated and divorced spouses and partners of clergy and ministers. They can be contacted via their website www.brokenrites.org.