The Bishop's scheme for Ministerial Development Review (MDR) has been in place in this Diocese for many years and continues to be a vital source of reflection for Clergy on their vocation and ministry.
All Clergy beneficed or licensed under Common Tenure are required by the regulations to participate in Continuing Ministerial Development, and in Ministerial Development Reviews.
We ask clergy to do an MDR each year, which is part of the Bishop’s care and provision for his ministers, and provides a valuable opportunity for reflection, taking stock, and identifying future priorities and directions in ministry.
The process is as follows:
- Clergy are invited to choose a Partner from a list of ordained and lay people who undertake this role.
- Once a consultant is chosen, Clergy are also invited to choose two or three people (including at least one lay person) who they can trust to comment fairly and objectively on their ministry to provide feedback. There is a simple template for you to send to these people with questions for them to respond to. There is also a preparation document with some questions to start framing reflections on your ministry which you should complete prior to your review. The Critical Friend feedback and Reflection and Response Form should be sent to your Partner prior to your review.
- At the end of your Review with your Partner, you are asked to together complete a confidential summary which is sent to the Bishop’s Office. There is an opportunity to record your learning and development over the past year and to note areas for further development, which are returned to the Bishop’s Adviser for Clergy CMD.
- Control of information in this process rests firmly with the Minister. The choice of Partner rests with you, and your review conversation and the form remains confidential. You choose who comments on your ministry, and you control what goes in your conversation summary for the Bishop and CMD Adviser.
The Bishop places trust and confidence in this scheme and the Archdeacons and Area Deans are asked to ensure that Clergy take part where this is a requirement. If you have any queries about this process, do please contact The Revd Canon Dr Mark Pryce or your Archdeacon, and they will be happy to speak with you.
