This book brings together research into, and experience of, the practicalities, benefits, limitations, and ways of thinking theologically and pedagogically about Reflective Practice Groups for Clergy, and advocates this as providing opportunity for enhancing well-being, theological development, pastoral supervision and spiritual formation in community.

Enriching Awareness and Practice in the Pastoral and Reflective Supervision of Clergy increases and enriches the awareness, knowledge, and skills of pastoral and reflective supervisors who work with clergy in a pastoral/reflective supervision context. The content is also applicable to supervisors within a Clinical Ministerial Education context, and to all clergy who want to develop their awareness of, and skills in, interpersonal dynamics. This book explores themes such as theological reflection in pastoral/reflective supervision, the place of prayer in pastoral/reflective supervision, working with stuckness in pastoral/reflective supervision, understanding trauma in pastoral/reflective supervision, working with shame in pastoral/reflective supervision, developing an awareness of culture and diversity in pastoral/reflective supervision, the importance of self-care in pastoral/reflective supervision, and understanding context in pastoral/reflective supervision.

This groundbreaking study offers an innovative critical analysis of poetry as a resource for reflective practice in the context of continuing professional development. In the contemporary drive in all professions for greater rigour in education, training, and development, little attention is paid to the inner shape of learning and meaning-making for individuals and groups, especially ways in which individuals are formed for the task of their work. Building on empirical research into the author’s professional practice, the book takes the use of poetry in clergy continuing ministerial development as a case-study to examine the value of poetry in professional learning. Setting out the advantages and limitations of poetry as a stimulant for imaginative, critical reflexivity, and formation within professional reflective practice, the study develops a practical model for group reflection around poetry, distilling pedagogical approaches for working effectively with poetry in continuing professional development. Drawing together a number of strands of thinking about poetry, Practical Theology, and reflective practice into a tightly argued study, the book is an important methodological resource. It makes available a range of primary and secondary sources, offering researchers into professional practice a model of ethnographic research in Practical Theology which embraces innovative methods for reflexivity and theological reflection, including the value of auto-ethnographic poetry.

Enriching Ministry offers a more detailed and wide-ranging overview of pastoral supervision and its relationship to other disciplines and fields of study. It describes an approach to supervision which is theologically rich, psychologically informed, contextually sensitive and praxis based. It is intended for those seeking support for their own ministries as well as for those who supervise in the areas of initial and continuing ministerial formation; healthcare; executive coaching, spiritual direction. The final chapters consider the professional development and training of supervisors.

Lecturers, why waste time waiting for the post to arrive? Request your e-inspection copy today! In the new third edition of this popular and highly readable book, the author draws on her considerable experience and extensive research to demonstrate a creative dynamic mode of reflection and reflexivity. Using expressive and explorative writing combined with in-depth group work/mentoring alongside appropriate focussed research, it enables critical yet sensitive examinations of practice. Gillie offers a searching and thorough approach which increases student and professional motivation, satisfaction, and deep levels of learning. She clearly explains reflection; reflexivity; narrative; metaphor, and complexity, and grounds the literary and artistic methods in educational theory and values. Clear step-by-step practical methods are given for every aspect of the process. New to this edition are: A chapter presenting different ways of undertaking and facilitating reflective practice Further international coverage, including material from Australia, New Zealand and the United States. The Third Edition also includes: An annotated glossary explaining key terms End-of-chapter activities and exercises Suggested further reading, and clear guides on chapter contents and how to use the book. Companion website www.uk.sagepub.com/bolton An accompanying companion website includes a range of free additional materials for lecturers and students to use in tutorials and for independent study, including discussion, workshop exercises, glossary and online readings. The methods are appropriate to, and used worldwide by, students and professionals across education; medicine and healthcare; clinical psychology; therapy; social work; pastoral care; counselling; police; business management; organisational consultancy; leadership training.

This new edited collection explores the intersection of spiritual direction and counselling/psychotherapy, and the relationship between the two. Citing the influencing effect prayer and counselling have had on each other, the contributors offer insight into the similarities and differences of spiritual direction and counselling, and of what the disciplines have to learn from each other. Advocating the importance of addressing the spiritual dimension of care in areas such as mental health and social care, this book promotes a synthesis of pastoral guidance and psychological counselling. The chapters offer insight to the healing role spirituality and prayer can play when counselling for trauma, sexual abuse or loss of a loved one. Whether discussing training counsellors to be spiritually literate, or exploring how spiritual accompaniers can take a psychologically-informed approach, all the contributors bring their extensive experience to bear working with spiritual and psychological issues.