On Saturday, 25th September 2021, I posted this message on Twitter: “Think back to the best vicar/minister/priest you’ve ever known. What was it about them that made then stand out?” I was flooded with responses.

You can read them here.

This exercise came about thanks to a conversation with my Spiritual Director. He told me that he believed that while many clergy have had fruitful ministries growing Sunday attendance, or moving on to “senior” roles in the Church, this isn’t what they would be remembered for. And it seems he was right! Apparently no-one remembers their parish priest because he or she went on to become an Archdeacon!

I find that really fascinating. The question it raises for me is: What can we learn about the selection and training of clergy in the Church today?