Emma Percy

On opening this book, I was very excited, realising that the reason Emma Percy’s name is familiar is because she was in the parish next door to the one I grew up in, so I know the context.

Unfortunately my second was annoyance, because despite being called ‘What Clergy Do’, the very first line is

This book is about parish ministry

So it’s not about what clergy do, but about what Anglican clergy do, which is rather more prescriptive.

Still on we plough - perhaps there may be something of show more use to we humble Methodist clergy…

The book, as its basis, draws on parallels between the roles of motherhood and ministry. I thought this might be an interesting and useful concept - in honesty I found it really difficult. I am not comfortable with the notion of motherhood that was set up, and I certainly do not find it a useful model of ministry. At a very fundamental level, for me, however fulfilling and enjoyable I find mothering, that is not the kind of relationship I want with people I am in a church with (and neither as a church member would I want to be mothered).

Some good points are made about balancing the varying needs of a church community, but to me they are nearly lost in the language used.

An encouraging point is made that admin is about people and therefore worthy of time and attention. I like that - it’s a good thought to hang on to when drowning under piles of it.

There is very helpful advice about the need and willingness to apologise when you have got things wrong.

Chapter 5 gives sound advice on good use of time - and of others skilled in ministry. It also covers the holy gifts of comforting and delight.

In Chapter 6, there are some wise suggestions about change and how different people react, often with valid reasons that we do not appreciate unless we take the time to hear and learn.

Chapter 7 has wise advice on honouring and valuing the practical work taken on by others, by joining in with it. I firmly believe that a Minister should never ask or expect someone else to do something they aren’t willing to join in with if possible. The book also highlights relationships, sometimes surprising, that can be fostered over a shared task.

I confess to finding it very hard to get over the Anglican terminology throughout the book. That is probably my fault, but I had assumed from the title that it would be much more general to all clergy.

I also felt that the author takes a lot of assumptions about the ‘role of mothers’ that I cannot go along with. Her reflection of motherhood feels totally idealised and stereotyped. Perhaps if it had included some of the struggles of motherhood in the model, I might have found it more powerful, but it comes across as a very twee and middle class representation.

Perhaps I have misunderstood the whole concept, but I struggled with the image of motherhood portrayed. I struggled even more with using motherhood as a model of ministry. Focussing on mothering, all be it for men and women, I cannot get along with. There is a whole concept of paternalism in it that I find unhelpful for modelling my ministry, and not because I haven’t had positive mothering experiences. But just because I didn’t find it helpful, doesn’t mean it won’t be helpful to others (though I question whether it is a useful image for the church, even if it is for the clergy).

Well, I always say a book you disagree with is a good book, because it makes you think what you believe. I have learnt most from books I have most disagreed with! I disagree with this book so vehemently; it must be an excellent book. And actually yes, in being so enraged by it, it has made me think of my own model of ministry, and if I don’t like Emma Percy’s model, why not? And for that I thank it.

This book will make you think. Is that how I see my ministry? Is the model of motherhood as ministry useful to me? Will it be useful to the church situation I serve in? And if the answer to any of that is ‘no’, don’t leave it there, but use it to work out what is. And that’s just what I’m going to do! show less