but not all are suitable for group discussion
keeping a journal of reflections can be a helpful way of exploring issues more deeply
the book can be used as a personal record, with the reader adding comments, reflections, Bible or other references to the text
issues arising from personal reflection and prayer could be explored further with a spiritual guide, counsellor, ministerial consultant or supervisor
issues arising from personal reflection and prayer could be talked over with family members, friends or peer colleagues in ministry.
Use in groups
Specific topics from Tend My Flock could be used with a variety of groups including:
pastoral care reflection groups on theological training courses
continuing ministerial education groups for curates
training courses for training incumbents
ministry teams
clergy chapter meetings
clergy peer support groups
senior staff groups
churchwardens
diocesan support staff
marriage partners or others with whom the minister shares their life
groups set up specifically to study Tend My Flock
support or supervision groups for counsellors working with clergy and their relatives.
Guidelines for group use
Participants and group leaders should all read through the Introduction and these guidelines before making a commitment to use the book together.
Choosing a topic for discussion
Although each chapter stands alone and chapters can be read and studied in any order, each chapter topic also builds on what has gone before. It is important to recognize that issues discussed in this guide, for example confidentiality, power or gender, are not abstract topics, but will be present in the dynamics of the group. Topics which are potentially more threatening, for example over-involvement with parishioners or colleagues, sexual abuse issues or loss and bereavement, need to be dealt with after a sufficient level of trust has been established in the group and with the agreement of all participants. Not all sections are suitable for group discussion; some are more appropriate for individual reflection or one-to-one discussion, and leaders and participants need to use discernment about this. Certain topics may also be unsuitable for a particular group, especially a group that is not self-selected, where people could feel under more pressure. It will therefore be safer if participants can choose topics rather than having them imposed or working through the book section by section. If a participant wishes to opt out of discussion on a particular subject this should always be respected.
‘Health’ warning
Some issues may stir up difficult feelings in the participants. Although participants should read through a topic and reflect upon the questions beforehand, the questions are primarily intended for private reflection and some would be inappropriate for use in a group setting.
Creating a safe environment
Mutual encouragement and deeper sharing depend on whether participants feel safe enough to be open and honest with one another. Learning for everyone will depend on full participation, but this should never be forced. Discussion in the group should be allowed to flow naturally, with participants sharing in their own time. There will be more potential for learning together if participants feel safe enough to acknowledge mistakes, difficulties or areas of uncertainty in their ministry, but establishing this level of trust takes time and commitment from all the group members. Safety can be undermined by irregular attendance, poor time boundaries and lack of clarity about confidentiality.
The following suggestions for safe boundaries of confidentiality should be discussed and established from the beginning and reviewed when a new member joins the group:
anything shared by others within the group should be confidential
no discussion outside the group of other participants’ style of participating
anything shared in subgroups or pairs should be confidential, unless a participant chooses to share their own material in the full group
anyone unable to attend should not expect others to report on what has been said within the group in their absence
no discussion in the group about anyone who is not present at a particular meeting.
Clear time boundaries also provide safety:
begin and end on time
allow sufficient time for in-depth discussion without the danger of overrunning
consider having a pilot session
after the pilot session make a commitment to meet on a specific number of occasions
review whether participants wish to continue at the end of the agreed number of sessions.
If a group has a pre-existing membership (e.g. a ministry team or deanery chapter), or is set up as part of a training course, then it is particularly important that everyone feels they have a choice about how they participate. Effective learning depends on finding a balance between taking risks and respecting limits. Participants should always be allowed to take responsibility for how much they share. No one should be put under pressure to speak about a specific issue. If the material is used on training courses then particular attention should be given to how issues of assessment could undermine safety within the group.
Size of group
Groups will vary in size, depending on whether there is a pre-existing membership or the group is convened specifically for the purpose of studying Tend My Flock.
study and discussion could involve as few as three or four colleagues, in which case leadership and facilitation would be shared informally between them
a group of up to eight participants could function with one leader or facilitator
a group of twelve is the maximum for effective discussion and would benefit from two leaders or facilitators
in a larger group it may sometimes help to break up into twos or threes.
Leaders or facilitators
Leaders or facilitators may be from outside the group membership. If leadership is from within the group then it may be best if it is shared among group members. Participants could volunteer to lead discussion on a particular topic that interests or is of concern to them. The leader or facilitator should:
ensure that the meeting starts and finishes on time and it may also be their responsibility to lead prayer and choose the Bible reading
keep
