Ministerial Review
Ministerial Development Review: An Introduction to the Scheme
Aims
The new ministerial review scheme derives from a shared responsibility for ministry in which the Diocesan Bishop and his immediate colleagues offer a ministry of both affirmation and accountability. Within the exercise of the bishop’s pastoral oversight of the diocese, the scheme aims to:
• Assist the clergy, Church Army officers and other licensed lay workers to explore and review their ministry
• Discern and affirm strengths and address needs in the exercise of ministry, with a view to personal growth and development
• Provide a more structured form of appraisal
• Meet the requirements of the new Clergy Terms and Conditions of Service legislation.
Participants
It will be a requirement of all those holding the Bishop’s licence that they take part in the review scheme, the only exception being those undertaking post-ordination training. For those whose appointment includes its own review arrangements, for example in the case of a full-time hospital chaplain, it offers an opportunity alongside other institutional requirements, to explore and review ministry from a personal and vocational perspective, as well as a professional one.
Frequency
National guidelines which are soon to be brought in, will make ongoing, regular review for clergy mandatory. It is an annual review that the new scheme anticipates. However, during its introductory phase, it is envisaged that reviews will be conducted about every 18 months. This is a significant undertaking by the bishop and his colleagues, but one to which they are committed as providing a more systematic and regular approach to pastoral care and encouragement of those in licensed ministry, as well as accountability.
The reviewers and review patterns
The aims stated above indicate that the review is part of the Bishop’s pastoral oversight and responsibility. This is extended and exercised on his behalf by his fellow Bishops, the Dean, Archdeacons and other members of the Bishop’s staff. (Currently this includes the Director of Ordinands, the Director of Ministry Training, the Bishop’s Chaplain, the Bishop’s Missioner.)
Reviews will work on a three-year pattern. The pattern for those in parochial ministry will be that within any three year cycle there will be a review with a Bishop, an Archdeacon and another member of the Bishop’s staff. (NB The Bishop of Beverley will also be allocated reviews where this is specifically requested.)
In the case of those in non-parochial ministry, there will be a slightly different pattern that will still involve review by a Bishop once every three years, and review in the other two years by another of the Bishop’s immediate colleagues, informed by particular areas of responsibility and portfolios carried.
As part of the preparation for the review meeting, there will be a built-in element of peer review. This will be by means of gathering feedback on personal ministry from two or three nominated colleagues according to certain guidelines. Written comments will be invited from these under a series of headings and then forwarded to both the reviewer and the person being reviewed. This is intended to help the practice of self-reflection on ministry, as well as to give opportunity for affirmation and increase self-awareness.
Preparation, documentation and follow-up
a) When a ministerial review is due, an enquiry form will be despatched from Bishopscourt to help reflection and then stimulate the review meeting. Guidelines will also be sent on how to engage in the preliminary peer review, and also the forms to be given to nominated colleagues. An accompanying letter from the Bishop will give information as to who will be conducting the review.
b) The reviewer will be in touch to arrange a date for the review meeting. It is to the reviewer that the completed enquiry form should be sent at least 10 days before the meeting, to allow for preparation. This will provide the primary material for discussion in the review meeting.
c) The review meeting will last about an hour. Towards the end of the review meeting, major issues will be summarised, particularly those issues of a forward looking / developmental nature. Within the discipline of a side of A4, a summary will be sent to the person reviewed for his/her comment. The agreed document will be forwarded to the Diocesan Bishop and kept on file at Bishopscourt. It will provide a starting point for the next review the following year. (NB If there is significant disagreement with some element of the summary on the part of the person who has been reviewed, there will be opportunity to add a note to record this.)
d) The Bishop will write to acknowledge receipt of the summary and the completion of the review. Any training needs that have been identified will be shared with the CME Officer who will offer advice on how expected outcomes can be taken forward.
Wider context
It is intended that this new practice of ministerial review will contribute to the refreshing and sustaining of all in ordained and licensed lay ministry, as well as enable systematic and professional meetings with colleagues on the part of the bishops and other members of the Bishop’s staff.
The ministry review scheme does not fulfil all that is needed for ministerial development or personal support. What it can do is highlight other networks which may be of help through continuing ministerial education, counselling, spiritual direction and work consultancy. At any time, resources in each of these areas can be called upon by any person wishing to explore more fully their potential.
