Ministry with Enhanced Responsibilities Programme (MER)

Overview
Are you a stipendiary cleric looking to develop your ministry, grow in confidence, and deepen your spirituality?
If so, you will be delighted to know that St Padarn’s is launching a unique and exciting 18-month programme this coming Autumn 2025.
Our new MER Programme (Ministry with Enhanced Responsibilities) will offer targeted training and support, along with access to a wide range of resources and a personal coach. We want to see ministers in the Church in Wales thrive and:
- Grow in confidence and competence in their ministry
- Deepen their spirituality and sense of purpose and calling as a child of God
- Navigate the challenges and opportunities of ministry by equipping them with practical training and tools from managing time to managing conflict
- Share their ministerial journey and development providing them with ongoing support via personal coaching and local learning communities
Through a combination of residential events, bi-monthly learning communities, monthly online training opportunities, and access to a personal coach, we ‘re offering clerics a chance to reflect on their calling, hone their ministerial skills, and to develop both personally and spiritually as part of a supportive and encouraging community.
What does the MER programme look like?
When does the MER programme begin?
The programme begins early November 2025, and will run until Spring 2027.
Who can apply?
- Stipendiary clerics currently exercising ministry with enhanced roles of responsibility in the Church in Wales who see this as an opportunity to develop and flourish in their current post.
- Stipendiary clerics who are not currently in a leadership role, or a role of enhanced responsibility, but see this programme as an opportunity to prepare for roles of greater responsibility in the future.
How do I apply?

- Those interested in the programme will need to complete an application form which will need to be returned to us by Friday 18th July.
- All applicants will be invited to discuss their application with the Programme Lead and to explore how the programme might support their ministry now and/or in the future. This may be in-person or online.
- All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application no later than 8th September.
- Those offered places on the programme will be expected to confirm their place by 15th September.
- The first residential will take place 3rd-5th November in Wrexham.
What does it cost?
- The programme is free of charge to all stipendiary clerics in the Church in Wales.
Where can I find out more?

We will be holding an online Information Session on Monday June 30th offering opportunity to learn much more about the programme and to ask questions you may have. Please note, you are not committing to making an application by attending the Info Session.
If you can’t make the Information Session , the recording will be available at a later date.
Book your place at the information session using the button below.