Clergy Care Groups
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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 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.
