The decade-long Living Ministry research programme into how Church of England clergy can flourish in ministry has published its fifth commissioned independent research.
Fearfully and wonderfully made examines the wellbeing and flourishing of disabled and neurodivergent clergy
The full report can be downloaded at:
The key themes explored are barriers to discernment, ableism and modes of oppression, threats and opportunities for human flourishing and probing language and theology.
The report highlights a range of recommendations for the national church, diocese, training institutions and more. It is rooted in the experiences of disabled and neurodivergent clergy at various stages in their ministry. Sadly it does uncover many ways in which clergy face challenges and feel they are disadvantaged both in training and ministry. It is still common for ministers to feel they need to hide or mask disability and neurodivergence in an attempt to appear to fit the ‘standard’ and ‘normal’ clergy model.
However, the report does uncover signs of hope as we see a growing awareness of how disability and neurodivergence bring much needed gifts and perspectives into the church and challenge us to a deeper understanding of what it means to be human and made in the image of God.
The Rt Rev Richard Atkinson, Bishop of Bedford and lead bishop for the Committee for the Ministry of and amongst Deaf and Disabled people (CMDDP), provided the forward, writing:
In July 2022, General Synod passed unanimously a motion on disability. It committed the Church to working towards the removal of all remaining barriers to full participation for disabled people in the life and ministry of the Church: The supporting paper said: ‘Action on disability is not just about meeting the needs of a minority … but about acknowledging and celebrating our common humanity and ensuring that our life together does not perpetuate a misleading account of being made in the image and likeness of God.’
The participation and flourishing of disabled and neurodivergent ordinands and clergy is at the heart of being that Church that God desires. The Body of Christ in which every part is honoured.
I greatly welcome Fearfully and Wonderfully Made’ as an important building block in taking forward this commitment to the full participation of disabled and neurodivergent people in the life and ministry of the Church. Grounded in lived experience, it brings to the fore the many structural, cultural and theological barriers that prevent both the flourishing of individuals and our church being fully enriched through them. Barriers to flourishing that are in addition to the more general issues that diminish overall clergy wellbeing.
My seven years as lead bishop for disability, chairing the work of the Committee for Ministry of and amongst Deaf and Disabled people (CMDDP), and working with disabled and neurodivergent clergy and laity across our Church, has been a time of hope and challenge. As the report says, there are signs of progress. It is becoming safer to declare a disability or neurodivergence. Currently 13.2% of ordination candidates have declared a disability and outcome rates for the discernment process are in line with other candidates. The Queen’s Foundation and St Mellitus College have innovation funding to develop good practice in the ministerial formation of neurodivergent ministers in training. A recent grant enabled a priest in a wheelchair to fully access the altar in his parish. The awarding of funding for the next phase of disability work through CMDDP is a great encouragement. Yet the challenges, as outlined in this report, remain significant. All too often there is not the flourishing and participation that is required.
I was recently asked how parishes can think creatively about inclusion. My answer began, listen, listen, listen: For those of us who do not identify as disabled or neurodivergent, the imperative is that we listen to those who do. For only then will we fully meet Christ in the other and hear what participation and flourishing is really about. Reading this report and responding to its significant recommendations is a part of that listening. I urge you to listen to what it says and then to do what you can to bring the change that advances a Church where all participate, all flourish.
The key recommendations are:
For Dioceses
- For bishops, (A/DDOs, examining chaplains, bishops’ advisors and vocations advisors, and others involved in the discernment process, to receive training on supporting disabled and neurodivergent ordinands through the discernment process.
- For bishops, (A/DDOs, examining chaplains, bishops’ advisors and vocations advisors, and others involved in the discernment process, to receive training in understanding neurodivergence and for such training to include the dispelling of caricatures and misunderstandings, to signpost individuals to appropriate diagnosis and support.
- For a clear route to diagnosis to be provided for ordinands and clergy who may be neurodivergent.
- To appoint a paid Disability Officer as a source of training for non-disabled and neurotypical clergy, pastoral support for disabled and neurodivergent clergy, and to advise on how key aspects of stipendiary ministry (e.g., housing, church buildings, diary commitments) can be adapted.
- To consider the accessibility of their buildings for everyone and to designate appropriate alternatives where the possibility of improved accessibility may not be possible or sufficient. [This should include input from an expert on disability.]
- For training incumbents, area deans and IME 2 officers to receive training in pastoral care of ordinands, curates and incumbents who are disabled or neurodivergent, including in how space and ministry activities can be adapted for such persons.
- For all incoming clergy (whether newly or previously ordained) to be informed about the possibility of trade union membership of Unite’s faith worker branch via designated individuals outside of diocesan leadership.
- To develop clear and well-supported plans to foster the vocations and ministries of disabled and neurodivergent persons, building on the work already underway in this area.
- To decrease the burden of completing the Ministerial Development Review by making it more accessible, including, for example by reducing the number of questions carrying unnecessary assumptions.
- To assess the physical accessibility and travel options of any off-site activity (e.g., retreats, study days) and only book venues that are accessible to the relevant cohort in all areas they are required to use.
For Theological Education Institutions
- For theological educators to receive training in pastoral care for disabled and neurodivergent ordinands.
- For theological educators to receive training in neurodivergence, including the dispelling of caricatures and misunderstandings, to sign post individuals to diagnosis and appropriate support.
- To consider the accessibility of the learning technology available and adapt what is on offer accordingly, building on existing work in this area. [This should include input from an expert on disability.]
- For a designated lead to inform final year ordinands of the possibility of trade union membership via Unite.
- To include teaching on Disability Theology that is meaningful (for example, with a minimum of one lecture, one seminar/tutorial/workshop, pre-reading and the possibility of being assessed in this area as a minimum).
- To assess the physical accessibility and travel options of any off-site activity (e.g., retreats, study days) and only book venues that are accessible to the relevant cohort in all areas they are required to use.
- To consider the accessibility of their buildings for everyone and to designate appropriate alternatives where the possibility of improved accessibility may not be possible or sufficient. [This should include input from an expert on disability.]
- To consider the impact of core facets of formation (e.g., chapel attendance) being held early in the morning on those who are disabled, and a willingness to move the times where needed.
- That theological education institutions draw on a wider variety of assessments available through the Common Awards than is already the case across TEIs.
- For theological education institutions to consider the impact of teaching delivery structure on disabled and neurodivergent clergy and to implement appropriate changes (e.g., increased opportunities for interaction, breaks during longer sessions, the avoidance of very early/late teaching).
For the Ministry Development Board
- That additional research is undertaken to better understand how the cultural and structural factors highlighted in the report prevent for some the exploration of vocations of disabled and neurodivergent Christians in the Church of England.
- To ensure that theological work is undertaken that allows the Church of England to reflect afresh on how the institution and its leadership (including bishops and archdeacons) support the flourishing of disabled and neurodivergent clergy.
- To consider how the wider Church of England can support and resource theological education institutions to appropriately implement the recommendations intended for them, and ensure they have adequate resourcing.
- To monitor and evaluate the impact of recent and ongoing work/initiatives and the continued experiences of disabled/neurodivergent clergy.
For the Office of the Archbishops of Canterbury and York
- For the Church of England to encourage vocations to senior roles amongst disabled and neurodivergent clergy.
- To ensure that existing emerging plans to produce diverse discernment appointments panels include representation from disabled and neurodivergent communities.
For the Archbishops’ Council
- For additional funding to be provided for resourcing disabled and neurodivergent ordinands and clergy for greater accessibility.
- That the Church of England commits to engaging with issues of ableism within its structures and culture and makes this an explicit part of its current strategic priorities.
For the House and College of Bishops.
- For all discussions of wellbeing across the Church of England to preclude a highly individualized approach to resilience, instead explicitly affirming the need for human flourishing to be rooted in structural support.
- To discuss the findings of this report, with a view to:
- Better understanding both the pastoral and missional importance of promoting full inclusion of disabled and neurodivergent clergy and lay people as part of the Church of England’s efforts to become more diverse and fully represent the communities it serves.
- Taking steps to ensure that the vocations and wellbeing of disabled and neurodivergent clergy are better supported.
Clergy in the Diocese of London who would like to talk about the report and its findings can contact John Beauchamp – john.beauchamp@london.anglican.org.