Clergy mental health is at breaking point
from Anglican Futures:
A heart-rending “In View of Experience” blog from a serving incumbent.
A member of the clergy quoted in the Church Times said, “People say they’re consulting by meeting, but . . . it seems to be the decision-making is all taken elsewhere, so it doesn’t feel fantastically participative.”
This is the story of the impact of a managerial hierarchy on clergy mental health.
We have moved from the vision of bishops being pastors to the pastors, to them being master chess players. Clergy feel like pawns, being picked up and put down as part of a greater game, with no consideration of the impact on them or the families.
The average member of the clergy, in a full-time stipend post, works between 50 and 60 hours a week. They do not take all their holidays because there isn’t any cover; they cope with constant “constructive criticism” from congregation members, who complain they haven’t been welcomed into the church in the right way. Many find themselves subject to multiple CDMs, bullying PCCs, and abusive emails, and now the Prayers of Love and Faith have been introduced there is a more significant threat of being accused of a hate crime if they express an orthodox view on marriage and sexuality. It’s disheartening to see the lack of support for these dedicated individuals.
Let’s take, for instance, Reverend A, who runs a multi-parish benefice – they have three churches that are all different traditions. This means three services on Sunday morning – in three locations. Dashing around means there is little chance to make real contact with the congregation, which in turn leads to unhappiness, as the congregation feel they’re not getting quality time with the minister.
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