The making of priests: an examination of the post ordination experience of mature stipendiary clergy within the Church of England in the first three years of parish ministry

Latham, Rosamond Mary (2013). The making of priests: an examination of the post ordination experience of mature stipendiary clergy within the Church of England in the first three years of parish ministry. University of Birmingham. M.Phil.

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Abstract

The research project being undertaken explores the experience of mature stipendiary clergy within the Church of England in the first three years of parish ministry. My curacy did not take account of my age or previous life experience and upon its completion I found myself ill-prepared for parish ministry. It was this that prompted my research. Interviews with six mature curates showed a direct correlation between the perceived effectiveness of post ordination training and the quality of the training incumbent and curate relationship. Consideration of different theological understandings of priestly authority and an examination of the changing parish context from single parishes to multi-parish groupings confirmed that training must prepare curates for more collaborative and relational styles of ministry. I concluded that training relationships exhibiting greater mutuality and less hierarchical leadership styles would enable improved training. This thesis recommends greater emphasis be placed on the development of every priest’s unique personal identity and inner growth with less emphasis on the acquisition of ministerial skills. This would be achieved across all age ranges by extending the training couple of incumbent and curate to form a more widely skilled team, and prioritising the practice of reflective working.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Masters by Research > M.Phil.)

Award Type:

Masters by Research > M.Phil.

Supervisor(s):