Ministry Bursary Awards
A sacred pause
How staying local led to fresh inspiration for Rev Claire Clarke.
A sacred pause
09 April 2025
How staying local led to fresh inspiration for Rev Claire Clarke.
Rev Claire Clarke had planned to lead a mission team to South India, go on retreat and visit other churches and clergy across the country.
Sadly, the mission trip had to be postponed at the last minute due to a team member having surgery.
The change turned out to be a real blessing to Claire as the mission meant a lot of work and organisation at a time when she was feeling exhausted by ministry. Here's how Claire spent her time.
1. A bible teaching week learning about the 7 churches in Revelation
“This was particularly poignant because of having stepped away from church ministry for the first time really in 29 years. I was able to reflect on where we as a church were, what the scriptures had to say to the different churches in Revelation and how I as a church leader might respond. This came near the end of my sabbatical and so was a helpful study in bringing me back to thinking about the particular context and calling the Lord has called me to.”
2. Leadership Conference at the Royal Albert Hall
“I learnt from many speakers about how to navigate the challenges of ministry, how to make sure one’s support network is healthy and strong, how healthy leaders create healthy churches, amongst other things. This was also an opportunity to connect with other church leaders.”
3. The Orchard Senior Leaders Conference' - a conference specifically for female church leaders.
“This was both incredibly helpful in terms of the input provided, but also helpful in networking, shared experiences, time to pray with others and meet the Lord together. I really felt like I heard the Lord's voice speaking to me whilst I was on this conference.”
4. Jesus Culture Pastors Conference
“This enabled me to think out of the box with speakers from different parts of the world as well as the UK - helpful worship and ministry and lots of challenges to step up and step out; as well as tools to equip us as pastors.”
5. Church Festival for a weekend of worship
"The other aspect to this time was the ability to be truly present with my family and friends. My son was sitting his A-levels, and I was able to be there to help him revise. I had time with most of my extended family including visiting my cousin who I haven’t seen for 20 years. This time was very precious to me as I got to invest in relationships which are so important."
Reflections
“Before I went on my sabbatical, I think I was pretty close to burn out. It has been a very challenging season of ministry and life, and I was running on empty. I now feel so refreshed and renewed for the next season of ministry as a result of slowing down and stopping - I really felt the Lord speak to me and I have put into place some new ways of thinking and working in order to enter into this next season of ministry differently. My perspective has changed in what I believe the Lord is calling me to do and also in who He is calling me to be, and I think it would have been hard to hear this when running at the pace that I was.”
“There were times on my sabbatical when I felt very lonely – when you are busy in ministry and seeing people all the time you don’t feel lonely – in fact sometimes you feel peopled out – but I realised I needed to invest more in personal relationships going forward – I am sure I wouldn’t have recognised this in the context of a busy life in ministry and feel so grateful to God in allowing me to feel this deeply in order to put things in place for the future, investing time and energy in my personal relationships.”
“I am so grateful for the support of Ecclesiastical in enabling me to make the most of the opportunity – I honestly feel this time has changed aspects of my life and brought in a little more transformation in who I am and what God is calling me to.”