Ministry Associated Trauma 

Our work at MASF has evolved a lot over the 20+ years we’ve been in this ministry - but one thing we’ve always been passionate about is shaping good conversations around mental and emotional health, particularly when they help leaders manage the challenges of ministry.

We’re really pleased to be partnering with theologians from Oxford university’s Faculty of Theology and Religion on a project focusing on Ministry Associated Trauma. And it was amazing to gather this month with around 60 invited guests to share experiences, thoughts and theology around this important topic. Will and Kate introduced and concluded the day (no photos of them sorry, they were on the stage at the same time!) and we also heard from some amazing people who are part of the project team.

Revd Professor Joshua Hordern opens the day,  hosted at KXC, Kings Cross, London

We know that experiences of trauma are common in ministry - and we hear many stories when we meet with clergy and pastors and youth leaders - and all kinds of other leaders in church settings.  Leaders tell us how trauma has contributed to them struggling with their role, often leading to time off through illness, or them needing to reassess whether they can actually do this role and fulfil their calling. Trauma is a major factor for many leaders in burnout and often leads to other mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression and substance abuse. And we know trauma doesn’t only affect the leaders themselves. Many ministry partners and spouses have their own stories to tell of traumatic experiences and the impact trauma has had on their lives. As part of our role in this project we (Will and I) collected informal case histories from leaders telling their stories of how trauma has affected them. This then shaped the rest of the research - so we really are responding to the reality of what this challenge looks like on the battleground of 21st century ministry.

The first observation has been one of definition. Currently clinical definitions of trauma define it primarily by the experiences that cause it - exposure to actual or threatened death, serious unjust or sexual violence. There’s a recognition of vicarious trauma - where the exposure isn’t because it happens to you but because you are the witness, hearing and holding the stories of those affected first hand in ministry and pastoral care. But we recognised in listening to real life experiences of ministry associated trauma that the definition here needs to be broader, to recognise the unique nature of this work and the context in which people both live and work. Broader research recognises the impact of moral injury - defined by the international centre for moral injury based at Durham University as “the experience of sustained and enduring negative moral emotions - guilt, shame, contempt and anger - which results from the betrayal, violation or suppression of deeply held or shared moral values.” Many in ministry, fighting for those who are disadvantaged or vulnerable in society, would recognise this description and the significant stress and distress it produces. 

Revd Preb. Dr Isabelle Hamley considers scriptural examples of Ministry Associated Trauma

However, we also recognised some unique trauma experiences resulting from repeated or micro traumas and the complex nature of community and congregational dynamics. Ordained clergy in particular are a visible public face, and often share experiences of unwanted attention, abuse or critique both in the community or online and on social media. Their need to hold confidentiality removes from them any opportunity to respond or reply, or clarify - resulting in feelings of helplessness, often under significant hurt and accusation. Finally however, we know that the unique organisational dynamics of churches - and in particular the Church of England, are cited in many testimonies of trauma. Manipulation and emotional or spiritual abuse from those in hierarchically superior positions, the difficulty of defending yourself in a very close knit community where the leader may be seen as ‘untouchable’, the genuine loss of autonomy and control during seasons of discernment or training; all these render leaders unusually vulnerable. 

Dr Roger Bretherton considered how we pray in the aftermath of trauma

We know that ministry associated trauma often leads to significant mental ill health and long term emotional and physical illness as well as leaving many feeling they have no choice but to leave full time ministry. Each of these losses is a tragedy to the church as well as to those affected. The aim of this work is to raise awareness of ministry associated trauma but also to produce a variety of resources that support leaders. It is also hoped to shape preventative work and interventions both in training and ongoing ministerial/professional development that better equip those in ministry to expect and manage experiences that are traumatic. Do continue to watch this space for further updates - and if you are working in a similar area and would like to know more about the project do drop us an email :)