While almost three-quarters of the clergy participating in a ten-year study agreed that they were fulfilling their sense of vocation, 40 per cent felt isolated in their ministry, a report published this week reveals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lord, for the Years<\/em>, the fifth and final panel survey report for the decade-long Living Ministry study, observes: \u201cWhile the feeling that one is fulfilling one\u2019s vocation can be sustaining through all sorts of other challenges to wellbeing \u2014 and being unable to do so can feel devastating \u2014 pursuance of a calling can also lead to physical, social and material sacrifices which may be detrimental to wellbeing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The study, launched by the national Ministry Team in 2017, was designed to gather evidence about \u201cwhat enables ministers to flourish<\/a> in ministry<\/a>\u201d. In total, more than 1000 clergy, from groups ordained in 2006, 2011, and 2015, or who entered training in 2016, have participated (News, 24 February 2017<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n The authors caution that the data should not be used in general terms as representative of all clergy. The four key challenges to well-being observed across the study are listed as: tiredness, isolation, demoralisation, and financial anxiety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Read it all<\/a>.<\/p> While almost three-quarters of the clergy participating in a ten-year study agreed that they were fulfilling their sense of vocation, 40 per cent felt isolated in their ministry, the final Living Ministry report says.https:\/\/t.co\/86ZCXErdQk<\/a><\/p>— Madeleine Davies (@MadsDavies) December 5, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote>