The Archbishop’s Office for Evangelisation (AOFE), through the Secretariat for Lay Ecclesial Ministry engages a number of providers of professional ministry supervision to the accredited Lay Ecclesial Ministers (LEMs) employed in the Archdiocese. LEMs are encouraged and required under their accreditation guidelines to participate in regular ministry supervision. Ministry supervision that is offered to LEMs through the AOFE providers is group supervision. It is noted that some LEMs prefer to participate in individual ministry supervision in order to maintain their accreditation however this needs to be sourced individually and is not available through AOFE.

Supervision provides the opportunity for the supervisee to be provided with the objective perspective of the supervisor (and group) to explore and determine appropriate reflections and responses to our practice as Lay Ecclesial Ministers. Supervision provides a learning environment, which nurtures, supports and challenges growth in vocational identity so as to be more effective in our ministering to others.

 

Supervision is an investment in one’s ministry formation and development where the practitioner (the LEM) is invited to reflect on their pastoral practice. Clearer self-awareness from such reflective practice contributes to quality ministry, ethical integrity and knowing one’s professional limitations. 

 

It is the responsibility of the minister to develop and maintain their professional competency through commitment to regular supervision to help ensure they do no harm to themselves or others.

 

It is important to note that supervision is not therapy or counselling. However, wherever personal issues affect ministry, an effective supervisor will help the minister to reflect on the impact on their ministry, and consider with them what steps they may need to take for the sake of better ministry.