Ministry is a lifelong calling but the situations in which we minister do not stand still. For this reason, the Ministry Advisory Group (MAG) is currently looking at the ongoing training of people in the ordained and authorised ministry.
Continuous Ministerial Development (CMD) goes much wider than going on courses and attending study weekends. The Group’s role is therefore not to run courses itself but to assist everyone in their CMD by providing information and making funding available.
How does it work?
The key feature is the Individual Development Plan (IDP), which is essentially a way for the individual to review his/her achievements, and to identify areas and opportunities for future development.
We now have in place a team of facilitators, lay and ordained, with expertise or experience in this field, who have attended training sessions organised by MAG and who are available to work with people as they draw up their IDP.
The Guide to CMD available from the Downloads section has information on IDP’s, courses and other training opportunities, as well as on funding.
The Role of the Vestry and Congregation
CMD is a priority, and congregations also need to be partners in the exercise. Vestries need to make sure clergy and Lay Readers are freed from other duties in order to devote time and energy to their ministerial development. Vestries would normally be required to provide some funding for any courses.
After all, the whole congregation benefits if their ministers are making the most of the opportunities available to develop their ministries in the light of the changing circumstances in which we minister.
Guidelines for Authorised Ministries
MAG has also produced a handbook for people engaged in authorised ministries, which covers the discernment process and training for Lay Readers, Eucharistic and pastoral assistants, and worship leaders. Sample job descriptions and working agreements are also in the booklet. Copies were distributed at the March Synod and are available from clergy and Vestry secretaries.
Recognition
The annual Ministry Celebration Service in the Cathedral is an important way of expressing the view that ministry is shared between authorised and ordained ministers, as well as with the congregation as a whole. This understanding of the nature of Christian ministry is becoming more widely recognised and accepted in the Church and the Group’s role is to foster developments to this end.
Further Information
Please contact the Rev Sally Gorton, Convenor, Ministry Advisory Group.
