Pastoral Supervision

Course Details

Pastoral Supervision is a relationship between two disciples (supervisor and supervisee) who meet to consider the ministry of the supervisee in an intentional and disciplined way. It allows the person being supervised to give an account of their work, to explore their responses, review their aims and develop their strategies and skills. Pastoral Supervision is practiced for the sake of the supervisee, providing a space in which their well-being, growth and development are taken seriously, and for the sake of those among whom the supervisee works, providing a realistic point of accountability within the body of Christ for their work in ministry. 

The image of the Emmaus journey – pilgrims together discovering insights, is a great visible image for this reflective practice tool.  It is a means of grace, as our spiritual life and vocation are at the heart of our work and reflection. It is excentric, in giving the space to the supervisee. It is prayerful, making intentional space for God to speak. It is structured, in order for the work to be done with deep reflection. 

This training will enable you to understand what is means to be a supervisee and a supervisor. It is an in-person training event, and you will be involved in practical work in triads as well as receiving teaching.  

Pastoral Supervision provides space for those in ministry:  

• To live and serve from an identity anchored in Christ  
• To grow a bigger, fuller, clearer vision of God and to discern his present call  
• To seek hope when experience is confused or when you are tired  
• To discharge feelings and recharge energy  
• To receive encouragement, challenge and feedback  
• To increase self-awareness, maximise strengths and manage growth areas  
• To prayerfully attend to who God is and what he is saying  
• To provide a safe confidential space to explore, as you use this reflective practice tool, to fulfil your full potential in Christ  

Please note: Interviews will be held before acceptance is confirmed on this course. 

Additional Information  

• Attendance at a residential training event at William Booth College. This training will be delivered by our in-house team.   
• Arranging 6 meetings each with 2 supervisees over a 9-month period (these may be in person or online as convenient)  
• Two meetings with a Pastoral Supervisor over the same 9-month period to review their supervisory practice   
• Some written work, including a case study and personal reflection may be required, to be completed around 6 months after the residential training.  

Who Should Apply

Officers, Territorial Envoys and Employed Spiritual Leaders of Local Settings – Chaplains, Pioneers and Corps Leaders. 

Note: Costs for Learning and Development course programme are covered by departmental employee/officer levy payments. However, should an employee/officer book a place on a course but then subsequently fail to attend or complete the course, repayment of cost of the course will be charged to the department/appointment concerned (recoverable from the individual) (Policy CS04 Sect 6.5). Please note a separate process for funding approval exists for accredited programmes.