Day 2
Commission on Ministry Supports Clergy and Lay People in All Phases of Ministry
A busy year for the Commission on Ministry was brought to the attention of members of General Synod today.
Outlining the commission’s activities, the Revd Lesley Robinson (Dublin) spoke of the Advent Retreat which was led by the Very Revd John Mann and provided a space for meaningful reflection, prayer and renewal. She acknowledged that as the costs of running residential events continued to climb and may prove prohibitive for some people, the commission has decided to run two one day events this Autumn, one in the North and one in the South. This year’s retreat will be aimed specifically at those in lay ministry.
The speaker at the Vocations Retreat in February was the Revd Nicola Moy of Christ Church W4 in London. There were 22 attendees who enjoyed the peaceful environment, meaningful reflection spaces and structure sessions and informal conversations.
In addition to the commission’s regular events, Ms Robinson reported on the introduction of two major one day Church Growth Conferences in April – one in Belfast and one in Dublin. The theme of the conferences was ‘Growing God’s Church: Rooted in his Word, Responding to his Call’ and Canon Alistair Graham gave the keynote address on each day.
“The members of the Commission are keen to offer people in both jurisdictions opportunities to attend events without the burden of too much travel or expense. Both conferences consisted of the same programme with mostly the same speakers and were subsidised to ensure that cost was no barrier to attendance,” she commented, adding that 235 people attended the conferences.
The proposer highlighted the development of a new pilot initiative – the Clergy Support and Wellbeing Programme (THRIVE). A two day conference was planned for April but was postponed. The conference will contain information on such aspects as understanding and preventing stress, dealing with conflict in ministry, building resilience and rekindling vocation, as well as input from speakers based on their own experiences. She suggested this might be particularly beneficial for clergy at a mid point in their ministry or who are struggling with a particular issue in their ministry.
Another new initiative is also planned for this year, this time aimed at Archdeacons who carry a heavy workload with diocesan duties added to their parochial duties. It is hoped to develop an annual day focused on professional development and peer support.
The Commission on Ministry continues to support and resource clergy who are approaching or have recently entered retirement. Ms Robinson highlighted the annual clergy retirement course for clergy and their spouses or other support people, which includes input on pensions and retirement planning. She thanked members of the Church House pensions team who provide one to one advice. Last November’s course took place in Belfast with over 50 people attending. The next course will be held in the Republic, it is hoped.
She paid tribute to the members of the commission under the leadership of Bishop David McClay who worked to deliver a programme that is constantly evolving and fruitful. She thanked Linto John and Janet Maxwell for their administrative support.
Seconding the report, Canon Nicola Halford who is Central Director of Ordinands, spoke about the Vocations Retreat which she described as encouraging. It brought together a group of people from across the island who are exploring their vocation, she said. “It was evident over the weekend that God continues to call people to serve and there is a quiet and steady response from our church,” she said. Those attending the weekend felt safe to explore their vocation, she felt. She commended the retreat to anyone considering a calling to ordained ministry in the Church of Ireland.
Discussion on the Report
Speaking to the report Bishop Andrew Forster referenced the need for growing vocations in the church. He said a distant relation of his was a football scout who spent his weekends spotting talent. He suggested that all lay and ordained in parishes should be vocation spotting for people who should take a step further in ministry. “We need to be vocation spotters and ask the question ‘could it be you?’,” he said. He also asked members of Synod to ask themselves ‘could it be me?’ He cited Archdeacon Thompson’s statistics which show that clergy are getting older but said that God is still raising people up.
David Whyte (Dublin) highlighted the need to care for those in ministry. He said that the interaction between the ordained and lay ministry and parishioners was vital. He hoped that what had been agreed in Bills 1, 2 and 3 works and if it doesn’t those who will be on future synods must change it.
The Revd Mark Lennox (Dromore) commented on the Growth Conference to which he took parishioners who came home inspired. He commended the organisers.
Gillian Purser (Cashel Ferns and Ossory) said ministry in the Church is hugely important but she asked why it has to be so difficult for those who feel a calling to ordained ministry but have to complete a masters degree from Trinity College Dublin. “I feel it is unfair and unfortunate that the church has taken this direction in making it so difficult and take so long,” she said. “I wish the church would look at the people in the pews who feel a call to ordained ministry but who are unable to fulfil that call through no fault of their own and are not able to meet the high standards of Trinity College Dublin to achieve a masters degree.”
Canon Gillian Wharton (Dublin) recalled that when she was in first year there were 55 ordinands in first year in the theological college. She said there was a variety people in the college with her. The principal Canon John Bartlet found different ways to train them and nurture their vocation so they could serve the church. “I think of people like me for whom university was not an option because my family could not afford it. If I had to do a foundation degree, it would not have been possible and it would not have been possible for many of those who have been serving the church for the last 30 years. When we subject vocation to become subservient to academic prowess then we have to question that,” she stated.
The Revd Helen Stede (Down and Dromore) said vocation begins when people take an active part in church. Adults have a responsibility to enable people who have not reached our age to foster their vocation, she said.
Paul Dundass (Clogher) said he was encouraged by reports of growth in Down and Dromore and from engagement with other traditions. He wondered in an increasingly polarised world if different traditions of the Church of Ireland should learn from each other as they seem to be forming themselves into silos. He said the church was facing demographic pressures with increasing numbers of ministers coming towards retirement. He said ministry could be stressful and urged people to be kind.
The Revd Jane Burns (Dublin) said that as a relatively recent ordinand who did not have an initial degree it was important to recognise the supportive staff in the theological institute. She said she found support at every level of CITI and the RCB Library in bringing her to ordination.
The Revd Jacob Mercer (Connor) said he was concerned about the lack of young vocations. He said he was able to explore his vocation as he was employed by churches in non ordained ministry.
The Revd Rebecca Guildea (Clogher) spoke about vocations and noted that clergy are the best advert for the job. But she said many colleagues were experiencing stress, burn out and going weeks without a day off. She said that she supported the initiatives to shore up parishes in a situation of relationship breakdown but stated that clergy also need to be supported when they feel stressed out and burnt out.