The Mind, Soul and Trauma project explores the impact of ministry on clergy mental health, focusing on the different types of trauma experienced by clergy as result of ministerial work. As a general term, we introduce the language of ‘Ministry Associated Trauma’. The project is a collaboration between the University of Oxford Faculty of Theology and Religion and the Mind and Soul Foundation, a leading UK charity and thinktank focused on sharing psychological best practice with clergy.
The importance of recognising the impact ministry can have on clergy mental health is emphasised by a number of international studies which have found that clergy can have rates of vicarious trauma in excess of psychotherapists. Moreover clergy are increasingly being used as a mental health resource.
Emphasising the need for further reflection on ministry and trauma, the Mind and Soul Foundation report that Ministry Associated Trauma ‘immediately strikes a chord with everyone you speak to… Everyone has had something to share… it immediately triggers a powerful response”. Despite this, there has been little reflection on clergy experience of trauma, especially in the theological literature.
Our project aims to stimulate reflection, conversation and practice change which could improve clergy well-being, increasing the effectiveness of their ministry and reducing the number of clergy who prematurely leave ministry. Improvements in clergy wellbeing could be made both by reducing the prevalence of Ministry Associated Trauma and by better supporting clergy in their experience of Ministry Associated Trauma. Moreover, by better supporting clergy in their ministry we hope to play a small role in strengthening the UK mental health ecosystem at a time in which it is under huge strain.
