The Programme
St Luke’s Advancing Clergy Reflection Programme is an ambitious, five-year initiative, to move clergy wellbeing forward in 24 Church of England dioceses and 6 within the Church in Wales.
The Henry Smith Foundation has generously funded this pastoral supervision programme. In line with our mission as the Church’s independent evidence-based wellbeing advocate, the foundation has also included financing researchers from York St. John & Bournemouth Universities to provide external evaluation, building upon evidence to support a change of culture across the Church.
What are we delivering?
The programme’s aim is to support and encourage dioceses to embed pastoral supervision into their offer as part of the long-term care to those serving.
Further to the Church of England’s ‘Covenant for Clergy Care & Wellbeing’ principles in dioceses, our programme is supporting new leaders in parish ministry and chaplaincy, through 1:1 pastoral supervision.
We will provide 650 clergy with the opportunity to reflect on their ministry and the impact their work has on them through individual pastoral supervision sessions.
To support this, we are training over 100 local new pastoral supervisors.
Alongside the programme, we are establishing St Luke’s Community of Practice for clergy wellbeing. This includes continuing development opportunities, research dissemination and masterclasses.
Our final objective is to ensure that this valuable resource is sustained, supporting dioceses from the outset of initial conversations to consider how long-term use of reflective practices can be incorporated into ongoing wellbeing strategies.
We believe this work enables clergy to flourish, providing a health church and transforming communities
How can I get involved?
Get in touch on ACR@stlukesforclergy.org.uk to have a conversation with St Luke’s, whether that is about supporting your diocese, training to be a pastoral supervisor or you are clergy looking for support. We hope you will be able join us in some capacity, as we all work to advance clergy reflection and wellbeing.
