Self-supporting ministers are volunteer clergy who are not financially supported by the church with a stipend (a bit like a salary), pension or house.
They may:
- serve in a parish or other ministry setting
- work in another job alongside ministry
- support other clergy
- focus their ministry in the workplace or community (sometimes called ministry in secular employment, or MSE)
Some are in full-time employment, others part-time, and some are not employed. There is no difference in ordination or recognition - all clergy are equally valued.
While SSM clergy are not financially supported by the church during their ministry, the church does meet the costs of their training, and there are a range of accessible training routes for those training for SSM ministry. For example, the Elizabeth pathway is designed to support older, experienced lay leaders who sense a call to ordained ministry, building on prior experience and vocation.
