There are a number of ways in which we can offer one to one support for clergy. Often the terms get confused so we have some brief definitions below.
Sometimes it helps to just have someone to talk to, who can ask us the right questions about how we are doing in our leadership. For some of us, a spiritual director is the right person. They will ask us about the deep things of what is going on inside us as we lead.
Sometimes though, working with someone who is focused on our work can also help. It may be someone who has just done a bit more of the work journey than we have. We would call those a mentor. They are someone who might advise as well as ask questions.
Some of us find ourselves in new situations where what we need is someone to ask us the right questions so that we can come up with our own answers. These people are coaches.
At different times we might need different people - coaches tend to work for a season, whereas many people work with the same spiritual director for a number of years.
How to access this support
Every clergy person is offered the opportunity to work with a spiritual director. You can find out more here.
Everyone who goes into their first post of responsibility (ie after curacy) is offered a mentor: this will be done in consultation with the Archdeacon or Bishop in your area. You can also ask them at an MDR or any other time if you think a mentor could help.The Area Offices hold the current list. If you feel more confident coming straight to the Barnabas team to find a mentor, please email barnabas@leeds.anglican.org.
Barnabas has a limited pot of resources for clergy to work with a coach. This would usually be for a set period of time to work through a particualar challenge. Again, a conversation with your archdeacon is the most helpful place to start. We work with the areas teams so that we use our resources wisely. It is possible to use your CMD grant to pay for coaching. If that would be helpful and you would like some advice to find a coach, please email barnabas@leeds.anglican.org.