Enhancing Ministry & Improving Clergy Well-Being: Exploring the impact of Bowen’s Systems Coaching on the Work-Related Psychological Health of Clergy

Substantial societal changes over the past twenty years together with the professionalisation of the Church of England have greatly impacted the clergy role (Robbins & Francis, 2014). While clergy continue to gain a great deal of satisfaction and accomplishment from ministry (Francis et al., 2009), one third of all clerical sickness within the Church of England (CoE) is now due to stress, anxiety or other mental health issues (St Luke’s, 2010). Research exploring the aetiology of clergy mental health indicates the fundamental role of relational risk factors such as conflict & role expectations within the development of negative psychological health (Berry et al., 2012). Positive psychological health also relies on relational variables including levels of support from family and congregation (Proeschold-Bell, 2015).