i.Sustaining oneself

While being a university chaplain can be one of the most rewarding and heartening forms of Christian ministry, inevitably, from time to time, shadows will fall across one’s path. There will be times of failure and regret, when one wishes one could go back in time and undo, or do differently, what one has done. There will be dark times when it feels as though one’s own church has let one down (though often via a ‘benign indifference’) and that the university has marginalised you (though often this is an unintentional consequence of other decisions rational enough in themselves). And there will be times when sustaining your identity as a priest (authorised minister) in the absence of the affirming continuity of a congregation can leave one feeling isolated and vulnerable.

In such circumstances, what sustains you in your faith and ministry? This was a question put to three regional gatherings of existing Church Foundation chaplains in July 2013. What follows is a summary of their recommendations.

• In the difficult times we’re sometimes forced to let God be God, so rejoice and let God get on with it!
• Be honest with yourself that ministry can mean ‘taking up one’s cross’ and that insight follows only after ‘wrestling with an angel’; it is not meant to be easy.
• Take time to find the right spiritual director.
• Do not be tempted to neglect Daily Offices and the Eucharist
• Practice the Examin – reflection on the day that has been looking afresh for where God has been present. This can generate a surprising alternative perspective on one’s work
• Take proper time off; tiredness distorts perception.
• Find a group of trusted friends with whom you can be open and honest, not just for their instinctive support but so one can be told when the problem is you!
• Look out for those unexpected, but key individuals, who look out for one and believe in one’s work.
• Take the opportunity afforded by retreats, conferences and courses, especially those that enable one to renew a sense of one’s calling (particularly the Church Universities Chaplains Conference (each Spring) and CUAC events (annual day conferences and the Triennial).
• Keep focussed on what is truly central: opening up experience of God for people.
• Take time to build and maintain a good Team
• Make the most of the stimulating academic environment one inhabits
• Discover the refreshment that comes from observing and sharing in the journey of faith of others (for example in the CU or another student Christian society), and allow oneself to be infected by their energy.
• Work at building good relationships with one’s Bishop, Diocese and local churches; it will not necessarily happen automatically.
• Relish the diversity of the work.
• Take full advantage of not always having to be responsible for worship – delight in welcome opportunities to receive.