A Clergy Husband's Survival Guide

Matthew Caminer

9780281067909

128 pages

SPCK Group

Paperback / softback $13.99

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Overview

Women now comprise almost half the priests serving in the Church of England. As a result, there are many male clergy spouses who have had to come to terms with the seismic shift that occurs in family life when a wife embarks on the journey from exploration of vocation - through selection, training and formation - to ordination and a life of ministry. The author had his own busy career when he suddenly found himself playing second fiddle rather than being the 'doer' in the household. Not only did this subtly affect his marriage, but as friends and acquaintances became 'parishioners', he was required to respect boundaries, to be discreet and often to carry the burden of unsought confidentiality. Drawing on these experiences and those of many fellow clergy spouses, this volume is a practical, informative and engaging guide to the joys and challenges of being married to a vicar. Part one deals with the process from initial call to ordination and beyond. Part two helps clergy husbands work through what their new role might involve. Part three looks at lifestyle and family issues, while Part four offers support and sensible advice if things go wrong.

Author Bio

Matthew Caminer is a retired management consultant and is married to a Church of England minister. He is heavily involved in church music and other aspects of church life. He has broadcast on Thought for the Day for BBC Radio Oxford and is a regular guest speaker for theological colleges, vocation teams and clergy spouse groups. His latest publication on the theme of clergy family wellbeing is Living as a Clergy Spouse (Grove Pastoral Series 2019). He also co-authored Curacies and How to Survive Them (SPCK, 2015).