Seeing the Hidden Things Report
Research report on how neurodivergence shapes formation, training, and ministry.
Seeing the Hidden Things: Neurodivergence in Formation is a research report produced by Allison Fenton and Ed Olsworth-Peter.
The report presents findings from a qualitative research project exploring the experiences of neurodivergent people training for ministry within the Church of England.
The research was conducted through interviews and focus groups with ordinands, Licensed Lay Ministers, curates, and ordained ministers.
The research for this project was rooted in listening. We spoke with neurodivergent participants about their experiences of training for ministry.
Primary research methods
- Narrative interviews
- Focus groups
We spoke with 40 people who were Church of England minsters or minsters-in-training and had a formal educational or clinical diagnosis of neurodivergence.
Topics of the research interviews
The topics about which we spoke with our neurodivergent participants:
- what enabled their flourishing
- what created barriers
- what forms of support helped them thrive
Key findings
- Neurodivergence affects the whole experience of formation and ministry, not only academic learning.
- Neurodivergent people are not a homogeneous group; individual experiences and needs vary significantly.
- Small changes in understanding, communication, flexibility, and culture can have a significant impact on participation and wellbeing.
- The church needs to celebrate the ministry of neurodivergent people, and their calling should not be seen purely from a deficit model. They are called by God into ministry because they are neurodivergent, not despite being neurodivergent.