Anam Cara

There has been a resurgence in clergy peer learning groups of late. A significant contribution to this has been the funding from the Lilly Foundation that has challenged and enabled denominations to bring about external impetus to the creation of clergy support groups. I’ve been a member of a peer learning support group for fifteen years. In fact, this GRACE (Greater Richmond Area Christian Educators) blog is one dimension of it.

We’ve been around long before there were formal Lilly-funded peer groups. Several of the current members are founding members. Several new members are recent seminary graduates in their first ministries. Over the years dozens have passed through.

Our group values high commitment to the group, mutual support and friendship, and thoughtful engagement in continuing education. We meet monthly for lunch (but take a hiatus in the summer) and usually our discussion centers on a book. On occasion we invite a guest speaker, or, take a field trip. Typically we make the rounds to each other’s places of ministry for our meetings.

We number seventeen in our group, and most attend every meeting. This creates a dilemma for our group about inviting new members. We’re at the tipping point where adding new members diminishes group cohesiveness and impedes good discussion. Often we reluctantly turn away persons interested in joining the group. We wish we could accept everyone, but until someone drops from the group, we find we need to say, “Start your own group.”

Starting your own group is easier said than done, however. Finding the right persons for a group like ours is not easy. And finding people who have the capacity to commit to a high level of accountability is surprisingly difficult. I often tell people that they need to keep trying and count on two or three false starts before a group “takes.”

Fortunately, there’s a great new resource for those interested in creating a peer group that is intentional in fellowship, friendship, and support. Former pastor Mahan Siler has just released Anam Cara: Collegial Clergy Communities. This is a concise “how to” resource for the formation of a community of “soul friends.” This small volume provides the foundation, rationale, and value of a peer group. Uniquely, it also offers a model for one way to intentionally create a small supportive community of peer learners.

I appreciate Dr. Siler’s contribution. Now, when we have to tell interested persons to “Start your own,” we have practical resource to help them do so. This is a great resource. Highly recommended.

Order the book here.