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Ministry Patterns of Clergy Married to Clergy within an Ecosystem of Power in the Church of England
Collingridge, Susan, R.
Collingridge, Susan, R.
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2019-07
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Abstract
There have been clergy married to clergy (CMC) in the Church of England for
over thirty years yet their ministries are little understood and there is limited
consistency of practice regarding CMC in the church. This work aims to address
both problems. The thesis argues that CMC patterns of ministry are formed
during their careers within an ecosystem of power: a complex network of
elements and forces acting on and in reaction to each other. The CMC ecosystem
of power is akin to ecosystems in nature. It includes dyadic dynamics and
extends to family and local ministry contexts, diocese and wider church. CMC
are subject to various types of power and can also exert influence.
For this study 15 CMC individuals were interviewed from a range of
dioceses, ministry contexts and life-stages. Each interview was structured by
constructing a timeline of ministry/job changes and key personal and family
events. The emerging picture of CMC patterns of ministry from qualitative
interview data was enriched by quantitative data from participants’ timelines to
illuminate factors influencing their ministry patterns.
My research indicates that CMC experience the effect of the church’s
authority in negative or positive ways, most emphatically during the early period
of selection, initial training and curacy. CMC are doubly vulnerable to external
constraints from the institution because both spouses are dependent on the church
for work, home and income. Further constraints come from liabilities,
responsibilities and expectations within family and wider social networks. CMC
moderate their vulnerability through adhering to ‘independent’, ‘tangential’ or
‘integrated’ models of ministry. In the light of such choices they make decisions
about applying for jobs, leaving posts and engaging in part-time or full-time,
paid or unpaid, parish or non-parochial ministry.
Within CMC ecosystems of power, support and competition influence
how CMC ministries develop, notably within the CMC dyad (couple), the most
distinctive feature of CMC ministry life. CMC spouses offer reciprocal support
through understanding, practical and professional help, echoing the mutuality in
natural ecosystems. CMC also decide whether one partner’s ministry has priority
and which one takes precedence at different times. I argue that competition
between CMC partners has the potential to create a positive outcome of growth
and development for CMC by creating awareness of asymmetry and encouraging
development of their personal and professional relationship.
I make suggestions for future research and indicate limitations to this
study. I propose recommendations for improved practice with CMC in the
Church of England such as greater openness about diocesan policies and more
consistent training for senior clergy.
Citation
Collingridge, S. (2019). Ministry Patterns of Clergy Married to Clergy within an Ecosystem of Power in the Church of England (Doctoral dissertation). University of Chester, UK.
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University of Chester
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Thesis or dissertation
Language
en