Growing a New Generation of Supervisors
Professional Supervision provides an essential support structure around people in ministry, where they can reflect on their work with a skilled professional who enables a confidential space for unpacking the challenges and joys of leadership in the church
Professional Supervision provides an essential support structure around people in ministry, where they can reflect on their work with a skilled professional who enables a confidential space for unpacking the challenges and joys of leadership in the church. Although we are a multi-cultural church, following a supported audit of supervision by Pastoral Relations Committee of Presbytery (PRC)’s back in 2022, it became clear that most supervisors across the wider churches and within the helping professions were from anglo-celtic backgrounds.
In consultation with Rev Ben Gilmour, Director of Vital Leadership, Rev Peter Walker Principal UTC and later Rev Alimoni Taumoepeau, Intercultural Consultant in the Mission team, a proposal was put to the Ministerial Education Board (MEB) in 2023 that an intentional strategy of training supervisors from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse people (CALD) backgrounds be initiated. This enabled the beginning of UTC offering supervisory training for Ministers and suitably experienced lay people through the Graduate Certificate in Professional Supervision programme through Charles Sturt University. Special bequest funding was approved and a number of experienced people were approached to consider committing to this training to become Professional supervisors. This would enable supervision to be available in languages other than English and to provide cultural support for ministry leaders in our intercultural church.
The first cohort of 7 people began their studies in March 2024 with 1 subject per semester and have continued diligently learning and practicing as supervisors in training. They continued this year with 2 more subjects and I’m delighted to say that several others joined them in 2025. 10 people have completed their studies and practical work at the time of this publication, which is a great achievement and something to celebrate. Hopefully they will be able to offer some supervision to ministry leaders in the coming years from diverse cultures. In 2025 a 2nd cohort began with 6 people training and they will continue into 2026 to complete their studies.
I hope a 3rd cohort will begin in March 2026 to continue to form new supervisors from diverse backgrounds for the ongoing benefit of the UCA’s ministry leaders and across the wider church.
It has been a privilege to accompany these ministry leaders as they have studied and now as they begin to provide Professional supervision for others in their ministry in their heart language. I have taught much but have also learned a huge amount about some of the unique challenges of working cross-culturally and supporting these new supervisors as they go forward.
These are some comments about the course from this year’s graduates when asked what they’d say to someone thinking about becoming a Supervisor:
- “This is an excellent course, with a good mix of theoretical and practical learning! You will learn not only skills useful for supervision, but also general skills that are helpful in your daily life and across a range of professional contexts - skills such as listening, discerning, asking helpful questions, group facilitation, good process and theological reflection.”
- “I would say: just do it. It’s absolutely worth it. Not only is it deeply rewarding work, but there’s also a real need for more supervisors from diverse cultural backgrounds who can bring their unique perspectives into this space. Becoming a supervisor is not only a professional step, it’s a pastoral calling that contributes to healthier, more reflective, and more inclusive ministry communities.”
