MDR is founded on the need for affirmation, development and accountability, and within this context, the diocesan scheme seeks to help clergy:
- Assess their ministry and themselves in ministry.
- Identify future objectives in their exercise of ministry.
- Identify training needs.
- Reflect on their ministerial development and think about future ministerial possibilities.
A letter will be sent to you in advance of the review setting out the details of how to prepare for it. If you think you may have been missed out of the system, please contact Chris Hunter.
MDR for Curates
For those in the first four years (IME 4 - 7), review happens during the Assessing End of Curacy process and involves the curate, Training Incumbent, the IME Tutors and the Director of Discipleship, Vocation and Ministry. Read more about supporting curacies.
Beyond IME 4 - 7
For those beyond their first four years in ministry, MDR is mandatory under Clergy Terms and Conditions of Service and is operated by the Director of Mission on behalf of the Bishop.
The review will be conducted by one of the Bishop's team of reviewers every other year.
The reviewee, a ministerial colleague, Churchwardens and a representative of the community will be asked to provide a written reference. These documents form the basis of the Review Meeting. Following the meeting, the Reviewer and Reviewee will complete a Summary and Outcomes form, and this will be placed on the clergy Blue file. For those coming new to the diocese, or taking up a new post within the diocese, the first Review Meeting will be held 18 to 24 months after the new ministry has begun.
Ministerial Conversations
Clergy who are employed by an external body as Chaplains (e.g. Health Trust, University), but who hold the Bishop's licence are invited to a light-touch Ministerial Conversation every two years to keep lines of communication open.
Useful documents
Use the links below to download forms and other preparatory advice for your MDR:
- MDR self-care assessment
- Retreats to prepare for MDR
- Incumbent MDR Summary Form
- MDR Form A for Associate Ministers and SSMs – Self Assessment
- MDR Form A Stipendiary Clergy Self Assessment
- MDR Form B Colleague in authorised ministry
- MDR Form C Member of the community or workplace
- MDR Form C Member of the community or workplace (Short version)
- MDR Form D Churchwardens
Reference documents
MDR Incumbent core competencies (PDF)
The Guidelines for the Professional Conduct of the Clergy is on the national Church of England website.