Over a year ago I joined a "Together in Ministry" group. Six pastors and a facilitator received support from the American Baptist Churches USA and the Lilly Foundation. I continue to be interested in what keeps the group going. I think part of it is a mutual need for support.
"Together in Ministry" groups were initiated by our denomination four or five years ago due to concerns about ministerial isolation and ineffectiveness. A 2005 study by the United Church of Canada concluded "that, at any given time, most ministry personnel feel satisfied and well-supported in their role. They also likely see their call to ministry as an integral part of their identity. The glass would appear more than two-thirds full. Nevertheless, the results also suggest that many ministry personnel feel overwhelmed with their work and have little time to reflect on their ministerial role. A large number of ministry personnel have trouble finding people they can trust and confide in, and feel powerless to influence change within the United Church. From this perspective, the glass seems half empty. What likely keeps the glass 'topped up' forr many ministers is a commitment to their call, the choice to focus their energy on their pastoral charges, and individual abilities to cope with the role." [1]
For me the glass stays "topped up" for the above reasons, but also because I've found a peer support system. One of the guides for developing Together in Ministry groups has been a book by Mahan Siler called Anam Cara [2] In it Siler defines "Anam Cara," or "soul friend, as "a network of small collegial circles ... who meet regularly to offer mutual support, collaboration, and accountability in their practices of theological reflection, leadership and Spirit awareness." [3] Siler makes a distinction between isolation and "aloneness." He says isolation comes with the pastoral territory, but aloneness can be overcome.
- Support has to do with a mutual commitment to growth as a person and a minister
- Collaboration entails accessing the wisdom of colleagues
- Accountability is the glue of the group. It calls for an honest and gracious review of our commitment to each other.
In our Together in Ministry group, this seems to work.
[1] The Warren Sheppel Research Group: "Study of Isolation in Ministry for the United Church of Canada," 2005.
[2] Siler, Mahan. Anam Cara: Collegial Clergy Communities. Raleigh, North Carolina: Publications Unltd, 2008.
[3] Ibid, p. 9
Thanks, Mike. I just read through Siler's book twice on this last flight. The distinction between isolation and aloneness was helpful to me, as well; particularly because he did such a good job explaining aloneness as it relates to our call.
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