Learning Support
Moodle
Safeguarding
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 launched an unique and exciting 18-month programme in November 2025.
The MER Programme (Ministry with Enhanced Responsibilities) offers 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, clerics have the 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?
Residential Events
There are 3 residential events focussed on further developing our sense of purpose and formation as ministers and as children of God and will include:
- Ecclesiology
- Missiology (particular focus on contextual missiology)
- Theology of Christian Leadership
- Developing Spirituality and Spiritual Maturity
The current course residential dates are:
- 3-5 November 2025
- 22-24 June 2026
- 19-21 April 2027
Attending these three residentials is a core expectation of those participating in the programme.
Bi-monthly Learning Communities
Every two months participants meet as small communities where they engage in reflective practice, share insights, and prayerfully and practically support one another’s personal and spiritual development.
These learning communities focus on mapping personal development, self-awareness and reflective practice, as well as self-care and wellbeing.
Participants are expected to prioritise attending these learning communities. It is hoped that the dates for these can be agreed amongst members of each group.
Monthly Online Training Events
There is an opportunity every month to join in with an online training event. These focus on skills training, and whilst there is an expectation that participants engage with these, it’s unlikely that every event will be relevant to every participant.
Where possible, the programme lead will consult with participants to ensure that the training offered best matches the needs of the cohort to enable tailored learning. There may also the opportunity for some bespoke training elements.
Below are examples of the online training available:
- Managing Change (focus on leading others through change)
- Enabling Innovation (enabling an innovative/creative/enabled church)
- Enabling Effective Conversations
- Business skills
- Managing Buildings
- Conflict Resolution
- Multi-Congregation Ministry (inc. managing expectations!)
Access to a Personal Coach
Each participant is matched with a coach who will journey with them through the programme. Your coach will help support and encourage you as you journey, reflect, and grow. They will also help you keep focused on your faith and ministry.
It is expected that coaches make themselves available to meet in person at various points in the programme, and for participants and coaches to agree how best to maintain contact and support at other times.
When does the MER programme begin?
The programme began early November 2025, and will run until Spring 2027. Applications for the new MER programme are now closed.