A Clergy Husband's Survival Guide

Women now comprise a significant percentage of the priests serving in the Church of England. As a result, many male clergy spouses, like Matthew Caminer, have had to come to terms with the seismic shift that occurs in family life when a wife embarks on the journey from exploration of vocation - through selection, training and formation - to ordination and a life of ministry. The author had his own busy career when he suddenly found himself playing second fiddle rather than being the 'doer' in the household. Not only did this subtly affect his marriage, but as friends and acquaintances became 'parishioners', he was required to respect boundaries, to be discreet and often to carry the burden of unsought confidentiality. Drawing on these experiences and those of many fellow clergy husbands, this volume is a practical, informative and engaging guide to the joys and challenges of being married to someone called to a life of church ministry. Part One deals with the process from initial call to ordination and beyond. Part Two helps clergy husbands work through what their new role might involve. Part Three looks at lifestyle and family issues, while Part Four offers support and sensible advice for when things go wrong.