Clergy Care Groups

What are Clergy Care Groups?

Clergy Care Groups (CCG) serve as life support for those in ordained ministry. Ministry is difficult enough when the waters are calm, but when the ministry seas are rough, it can feel impossible. CCGs are focused on praying for one another, growing in Christlikeness together, and holding each other mutually accountable. This community pattern is simple but effective. There are the four main benefits of Clergy Care Groups:

Accountability

Clergy often feel they need to hide the true state of their heart and soul. Clergy Care Groups are places to be vulnerable, honest, and trust in others who can help carry struggles and provide accountability. Whether it is for implementing spiritual disciplines, addressing family matters, or battling temptations, fellow group members become accountability partners.

Support

A primary rule in these groups is that members do not try to fix one another. Instead, groups are a place where each person can practice being a listening ear and a voice of support rather than give advice. It is also a comforting realization that many of the challenges faced are common to all. Instead of letting these problems create isolation, clergy care groups allow members to share their burdens and lift their spirits.

Prayer

Many people ask clergy to pray for them, but few know how to pray for clergy. Since Clergy Care Groups allow members to be vulnerable and honest, each member knows exactly how to pray for other members in a private and safe setting.

Friendship

Genuine friendship is rare among clergy who are usually not comfortable building friendship with parishioners. CCG members become friends through the shared journey of spiritual disciplines, bearing one another’s burdens, praying for one another, and fellowshipping together each week.

Many of these groups have continued for many years and new groups are continually forming. Currently, there are two types of groups available: Clergy Care Groups for general support and discipleship among clergy; and Clergy Recovery Groups for those struggling with specific addictions and temptations.

Clergy spouse care groups

Clergy aren’t the only ones who need support in ministry, so there are care groups for clergy spouses! These groups mirror the content of the clergy care groups described above. If you are the spouse of an ACNA deacon, priest, or bishop and would like more information, please contact us today!

Upcoming events

Looking up, digging deep

Attend as a clergy care group or come on your own! Join us for the first Clergy Care Group retreat, “Looking Up, Digging Deep,” October 18-20, 2022 at the beautiful Epworth by the Sea on St. Simon’s Island, Georgia! Bishop Thad Barnum of the Diocese of the Carolinas and Call2Disciple will be the plenary speaker addressing personal soul care through five questions that Jesus asked. Extensive worship, personal time, and small group interactions will serve to deepen the retreat experience. Senior clergy and spiritual directors will also be available for prayer and guidance.

The retreat begins with dinner on Tuesday, October 18^th and concludes with lunch on Thursday, October 20^th. Discounted retreat costs made possible by generous donors for two nights lodging (2 queen beds per room) and six meals (exclusive of travel) are:

$225 single occupancy per person total
$150 double occupancy per person total
$100 triple occupancy per person total
$75 quad occupancy per person total

Please register by October 1^st

We look forward to seeing you there!

Clergy Recovery Groups

Knowing that clergy who struggle with addictions are often isolated and afraid to admit their problem for fear of what they may lose, we have created two Christ-centered, 12-Step groups that are SAFE and ANONYMOUS:

Sexual Addiction Recovery Group:

For any Anglican Clergyperson who is struggling with any sexually related addiction.
If you’d like more information on these groups or want to know how to join one, email today at: meldredge@americananglican.org.

A-Z Addiction Group:

For any Anglican Clergyperson who is struggling with an addiction other than sexually related from “A-Z” such as chemical dependency, codependency, food, shopping, or any number of other addictions.
If you’d like more information on these groups or want to know how to join one, email today at: meldredge@americananglican.org.