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When the personal Call to Ordained Ministry is not recognised by the Church: Implications for Selection and Pastoral Care
Gubi, Peter M.
Gubi, Peter M.
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2019-05-01
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Abstract
The effect of not being recommended for ordained ministry when a person is convinced of their
personal Calling can be devastating, and it is a phenomenon that is under-researched. The research
question is: ‘How does having one’s sense of vocation for ordained ministry rejected by the Church
impact at a psychological and theological level?’ The aims of the research are: To explore how
having one’s sense of vocation for ordained ministry rejected by the Church impacts on individuals at
a psychological and theological level; and to better understand the implications for selection and
pastoral care. The core purpose of this research is to enable better pastoral care during and after the
discernment and selection processes. Structured by Swinton’s and Mowat’s (2006) Practical
Theological Reflection model and contextualised within the Church of England, eight Diocesan
Directors of Ordinands (DDOs) [Stage 1] and nine non-recommended applicants (NRAs) [Stage 2]
were interviewed to determine their experience of selection and how they theologically and
psychologically made sense of non-selection. The data were analysed using Interpretative
Phenomenological Analysis. In Stage 1, four superordinate themes emerged: Vocation; Selection
processes; Theological perspective; Pastoral care; along with thirty-seven subordinate themes. In
Stage 2, four superordinate themes emerged: Pursuing ordination; BAP experience; Pastoral care;
Making sense; along with twenty-three subordinate themes. The thick data reveal the lived
experiences and ‘sense-making’ of the participants from psychological and theological perspectives.
In reformulating revised practice, a number of recommendations are made, that: a) the way that
vocations are ‘marketed’ and encouraged needs refocussing; b) the vulnerability surrounding the
process of responding to Calling to ordained ministry is akin to a ‘coming out process’; c) appropriate
training is provided for incumbents and congregations to raise their awareness of the issues
surrounding non-recommendation; d) incumbents be in Pastoral Supervision; e) training be given to
Vocations Advisors, DDOs and Bishops which highlights the ways that spiritual abuse and
inappropriate behaviour can occur in the discernment process; f) dioceses work more coherently to
establish ‘best practice’ in the discernment process; g) safeguarding systems be put in place centrally
to which candidates can complain/appeal when perceived spiritual abuse or inappropriate behaviour
occurs; h) there is greater transparency in the sharing of reports and references with applicants; i)
Canon C4 be reassessed; j) counselling be offered to candidates throughout the process of
discernment, and after, as needed; k) the value of the BAP process be re-evaluated; l) opportunity
for debriefing immediately after the BAP be offered; m) the wording of reports consider the impact
of the words on the recipient; n) the discernment process pays attention to other forms of vocation
than ordained ministry; o) issues of sexual discrimination are mitigated against and prohibited.
Citation
Gubi, P. (2019). When the personal Call to Ordained Ministry is not recognised by the Church: Implications for Selection and Pastoral Care (Doctoral dissertation). University of Chester, UK.
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University of Chester
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Thesis or dissertation
Language
en