Pastoral Supervision
A safe, confidential space for clergy to reflect and grow
Ministry is rich, demanding, and often deeply personal. Alongside its joys, clergy regularly carry complex pastoral, relational, and organisational responsibilities, often with limited space to pause and process the impact of their work.
To support the wellbeing and long‑term sustainability of those serving across the Portsmouth Diocese, we are delighted to offer funded, professional pastoral supervision for ordained clergy, a confidential and theologically-grounded space to reflect, realign, and remain rooted in healthy patterns of ministry.
Through a partnership between the diocese and St Luke’s for Clergy Wellbeing, this new programme provides clergy with access to trained and accredited pastoral supervisors who understand the realities of ministry. Over an 18‑month period, participants receive dedicated time to explore their vocation, their context, and the pressures they hold, with the aim of strengthening resilience, nurturing self‑awareness, and enabling flourishing in their ongoing service.
As part of a Henry Smith Foundation funded programme to advance clergy reflection, the Diocese of Portsmouth and St Luke’s for Clergy Wellbeing signed a Memorandum of Understanding committing to work together for three years. St Luke’s then commissioned Wesley House to run their Certificate in Reflective Pastoral Supervision from September 2025 to June 2026, when the first trainees for our diocese qualified. As a result we are now able to launch individual pastoral supervision for our clergy.
Pastoral supervision is a dedicated, theologically informed, facilitated space for ministers to reflect on their vocation, the context and impact of their work, and explore healthy and sustainable ways forward in ministry.
About the pastoral supervision offer
- Funded individual support for Portsmouth Diocese clergy (an investment of £1,350 per clergyperson)
- 22.5 hours of pastoral supervision to use over approximately 18 months
- Choose your preference of supervisor from our approved list
- Decide the frequency and duration of sessions with your supervisor
- Online or in-person (geography dependent)
Who is this offer open to?
This scheme is open to all ordained clergy, stipendiary and SSM, in the Portsmouth Diocese. Priority may be given to those in their first post of responsibility, though clergy at every stage of ministry are warmly encouraged to express interest. At least 30 places will be available, open to all those who serve our diocese.
As curates have support from their Training Incumbent which should include elements of pastoral supervision, we don’t offer this programme to curates. However, as St Luke’s is working with us for three years, we hope any curates interested now may benefit in the future.
Who are the pastoral supervisors?
- Individuals certified and insured to provide pastoral supervision
- Clergy or lay people
- Anglican or other Christian denominations
- Live inside or on the borders of our diocese
- People who receive their own supervision
- Are quality assured and supported as part of St Luke’s growing community of practice
What pastoral supervision is
Pastoral supervision is:
- Safe and boundaried
- Ministry-focused
- Reflective practice
- Confidential; St Luke’s reports on take-up numbers not names
- Covenant-based relationship where you decide how you would like to work together
What pastoral supervision is not
Pastoral supervision is not:
- Line management
- Part of any review or monitoring process
- Counselling or therapy
- Mentoring or coaching
- Spiritual accompaniment
How to sign up
- Pick two preferences of pastoral supervisor from the approved pastoral supervisor list.
- Complete this confidential online form, which goes directly to St Luke’s.This should take less than 5 minutes and asks for your contact information, any access needs, supervisor choices and permission for St Luke’s to keep and share your details with your chosen pastoral supervisor and programme evaluators.
- St Luke’s introduces you and your supervisor, sessions begin.
Any questions please email our dedicated address: ACR@stlukesforclergy.org.uk.
Our one ask – commitment to research
St Luke’s is striving to contribute further to the clergy wellbeing field evidence-base, to keep learning and advocating for more ministerial support. Researchers Dr Sharon Jagger from York St John and Dr Alex Fry from Bournemouth Universities are undertaking an independent evaluation of the St Luke’s ACR Programme over 5 years. We ask you complete a baseline questionnaire at the beginning of pastoral supervision and a comparative questionnaire at the end of your 22.5 hours. Around 10% of clergy will also be approached to have a semi structured interviews with either Sharon or Alex.