Professional Supervision for Principals, Pastors and Leaders

Francine Hunt wrote this blog. She has just joined our team as a mentor and professional supervisor. She brings a wealth of experience in Christian leadership and is very passionate about her supervision roles. Her addition to our team is a blessing.

Bring fresh insight

My life has changed dramatically over the past year and half. After pastoring a church for many years, I have changed ministry hats within my church movement. This allows me space to be a support to pastors and leaders by way of Pastoral Supervision. When I was pastoring, there were many times I needed that kind of person to talk to, someone I felt safe with, a person who wouldn’t judge me but rather help me unravel my thoughts so I could pastor and respond well to those around me. Having someone with whom to discuss our thoughts and emotions and then guide us into other ways of thinking is so important—that someone who can help bring fresh insight.

Stabbed in the heart

I was recently supervising a young pastor who was in a difficult situation with a team member. This caused a lot of hurt and feelings of betrayal.  After hearing the story, I asked the supervisee to find an object in the room that represented her story. She chose a pair of scissors to symbolise how she was feeling. As she held them, she told me she felt like she had been stabbed in the heart. I felt to ask her if she could think of a time when Jesus may have felt like he had been stabbed in the heart. She thought about this question and then chose the time when Judas betrayed Jesus. 

How Jesus handled the situation

She thought about how Jesus handled himself in the situation, how he responded to the one who hurt him and how he continued to lead others in his pain. There are so many involved in a presenting issue, and it’s important to consider not only the supervisee in the story, but also guide and help them consider Jesus’ responses to all those involved. The revelation comes when the supervisee considers Jesus’ responses in what they see as a similar situation to their own. 

Open up new ways of thinking and responding.

As my supervisee talked about the revelation she found through Christ’s example, she found new ways of thinking and responding toward the person inflicting the pain. Also, to those she is pastoring who are not involved. I find when the opportunity arises within the supervision space, asking supervisees to think of the Jesus’ story they resonate with from their own story is such a wonderful way to open up new ways of thinking and responding. 

He can help us every time we pass through the ordeals of life.  

Heb 2:17 This is why he had to be a man and take hold of our humanity in every way. He made us his brothers and sisters and became our merciful and faithful King-Priest before God; as the One who removed our sins to make us one with him. 18He suffered and endured every test and temptation, so that he can help us every time we pass through the ordeals of life. 

Reflection:

• When is a time when Jesus felt like we are feeling? How did he respond?