Supporting healthy ministry in the Diocese of Oxford
I've been very blessed and enriched to have worked with ministry accompaniers and work consultants in every major role as a vicar and theological educator, missioner and bishop.
I have learned a huge amount through being simply listened to and asked thoughtful questions as a regular part of ministry. I warmly commend the practice of ministry accompaniment to all clergy in the Diocese of Oxford."
Bishop Steven
Why Ministry Accompaniers?
As part of the diocese’s encouragement and support for healthy and sustainable ministry, the network of Ministry Accompaniers exists to act as a critical friend and external reference. They are there to help think through the issues you face in your role as minister, all within a confidential relationship.
Such issues could include vision setting, conflict resolution, small or major change, how you exercise your leadership, building and developing collaborative ministry, dependency problems, as well as more personal work issues such as changing jobs, time management, or achieving a better balance in your life.
Calling in a ministry accompanier can feel threatening; it could look like I cannot do things myself. Having used three accompaniers over the last 11 years, I can only say they have been very positive, empowering experiences, facilitating real change in practice and consciousness.”
Team Rector, Berkshire Area
FAQs
* If your conversations involve illegal activity or situations which present a safeguarding risk to you or those you work with and/or minister among, the Ministry Accompanier has a responsibility to report the conversation to the appropriate authorities.
For full details download the Ministry Accompaniers leaflet.
“fitting in another meeting on top of everything else felt like yet another distraction from ‘getting on with the ministry’ … after a couple of meetings the penny started to drop and something changed as I realised the real power and value of coaching … carefully chosen, well timed and penetrating questions are perfect for providing the very means and space I need to self-reflect and so continue to grow as a minister … rather than disempowering me with advice that I’d most likely quickly forget, ministry coaching on a live issue in my ministry empowers me to do the hard work of processing the people and situations affecting me and affected by me for myself and then take ownership over to do next.”
Team Vicar (Bucks)
“thank you for the time and space you allowed me to explore my ‘stuff’ … You helped me to see something in a new way, which, I’m sure, will have a huge impact on my life and ministry. To have someone listen, not give me answers, but ask insightfully good questions, reminds me again of the potential coaching has to help people to move forward in ministry. I felt much ‘lighter’ leaving the coaching session than when I came in, as if a weight had been lifted from me. Having a plan to move forward has given me hope and momentum. I just love this approach to helping as it respects me, is non-judgemental, challenging, supportive and future orientated.”
Incumbent (Dorchester)
For more information, contact:
Gill Lovell
CMD Adviser
07391 416089
Rhodri Bowen
Parish Development Adviser (Berkshire & Oxford)
07741 736 480
Asa Humphreys
Parish Development Adviser (Buckingham)
Anne Perry
Parish Development Adviser (Dorchester)
01865 208 246