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Stationing Code of Practice for ministers involved in Stationing 2015

Stationing Code of Practice for ministers involved in Stationing 2015. The Context . Methodism: a connexional Church Committed to the best use of resources for the good of the whole church Committed to best & consistent practice Committed to trust & prayerful discernment

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Stationing Code of Practice for ministers involved in Stationing 2015

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  1. Stationing Code of Practice for ministers involved in Stationing 2015

  2. The Context • Methodism: a connexional Church • Committed to the best use of resources for the good of the whole church • Committed to best & consistent practice • Committed to trust & prayerful discernment • Free from all wrongful forms of discrimination • Ministry: an itinerant system • Attention to the needs of the Circuits • Ministers matched to appointments • Attention to needs & aspirations of ministers

  3. Supreme Court ruling • Ministers are not employees • There is no contract with the circuit (or indeed with anyone else) • All Ministers are stationed annually by the Conference (consultation, CPD, but not consent!)

  4. A two-part process • 1. Consideration of current invitation [June – September] • Should the present invitation be extended ? • Vocational Reflection & Circuit Consultations • Discernment & Recommendation (up to 5 yrs) • Circuit Meeting Decision • New letter of understanding • 2. Stationing [September onwards] • What ministry should I exercise next ? • Writing & reading profiles • The Matching Process

  5. Part One: Consideration of current invitation: an overview • Initial preparations* • Briefing of those involved • Consultation with minister • Consultation with churches • Preparing a recommendation and CIC • The Circuit Meeting • Letter of understanding or seeking new appointment

  6. 1. Initial Preparations • Personal prayer & reflection [D6] • Where am I being led in ministry ? • What is my experience in this appointment so far ? • What are the opportunities for development here ? • How do my gifts match the future needs of the Circuit ? • What other factors are important ? • Who else could help me discern the way ? • Colleagues; mentor; spiritual director ? • Stationing Advisory Committee? • Personal support • What are my anxieties? • Who might walk this journey with me?

  7. 2. Consultation with minister part 1. • Chair & Lay Stationing Rep • Exploring the vocational journey • Reviewing the current factors • Circuit Stewards (& Invitations Committee) • Initial reflections • Personal and vocational aspirations

  8. 2. Consultation with minister part 2. • Feedback from Circuit stewards • Exploring feedback • Reflection on response to feedback • Who reflects on it with you if it is difficult? • Meeting with Invitations Committee • Hearing feedback and response • Personal and vocational aspirations • Opportunity for conversation • On-going conversation and support

  9. 3. Briefing • Circuit stewards and church stewards • Presbyters & Deacons • Others involved in the process

  10. 4. The Consultation Process • Purpose • Questions to be asked * • People to be consulted • Within the local churches • As ecumenical or community partners • Time-frame • Feed-back • Discernment & recommendation • Right to prepare alternative statement

  11. Asking Appropriate Questions • What are the gifts & skills you appreciate ? • Are pastoral needs being addressed ? • Are styles of worship helpful ? • Has there been outreach to the community ? • How might a change of ministry affect ecumenical or community partners ? • What ongoing work would benefit from continuity ? • Is there a need for a change of ministry to bring different gifts & skills

  12. Asking appropriate questions for a diaconal appointment • In what ways has the vision… developed ? • Have the expectations of the Circuit and Deacon been met ? • Has the work developed in new directions ? • How does the appointment relate to Circuit priorities ? • What kind of ministry does the Circuit wish to offer and to whom ? • Is a different set of gifts/skills now needed?

  13. 5. Preparing a recommendation • Circuit stewards receive reports & check range of those consulted • Circuit Stewards produce report of consultation & share with minister • Invitation Committee meets to receive written report, hear minister’s reflections and produce written recommendation, with reasons

  14. 5. Preparing a recommendation • Invitations Committee Recommendation shared with Minister, District Chair & Lay Stationing rep • circulated to Circuit Meeting • Right to prepare alternative statement • NB E11 re unopposed extension

  15. 6. Circuit Meeting • Ct Stewards present recommendation • Minister can address meeting and/or respond to points raised in discussion • If no opposition registered, recommendation taken as agreed; otherwise… • Minister (and any family member)leaves before ballot vote taken • 60% of those present & voting required for re-invitation; • 75% if for 11th or more years • Minister informed of result

  16. 7. After the circuit meeting • Letter of understanding • Importance of using template • Subject to the Conference • Seeking of new appointment • What kind of appointment? • What do I need to say to the church in terms of important considerations?

  17. Part Two: Stationing • The Minister’s Profile • The Circuit Profiles • The Matching Process for Presbyters • The Matching Process for Deacons • The Visit • The Invitation & Letter of Understanding • Before September 2015

  18. The Minister’s Profile • What is it for ? • To describe you: experience, gifts, aspirations • To inform the matching process • How is it prepared ? • By you – checked by those who know you ? • In consultation with the Chair • When is it needed ? • 25 September (Chair & Warden) • Other Options ?

  19. The Circuit Profiles • Profiles dispatched by 17 October • Identify possible matches • Consult Chair re 5 (3) best matches + • NB no direct contact allowed

  20. The Matching Process [H1-12/M1-2] • Matching process: • 3-6 Nov/1-2 Dec: SMG 1 & 2 • 5-6 January: Initial Stationing Sub-committee • 13 January: SMG 3 • Matching practice: • Ministers are matched to appointments • Each appointment is matched as it is called • Stationing Matching Group • until 31 May 2015

  21. The Visit [I1-13; N1-12] • Within 10 days of the matching process • Normally Saturdays – 8 or 15/11; 6 or 13/12; • Purpose: • mutual discernment – not interview! • Practicalities: • Information pack • Programme – Presentation? • Conversation with Invitations Committee • Hospitality & family considerations ?

  22. Invitation & Letter of Understanding • The Circuit issues the invitation – or not • Delegated authority for Invitation Cttee ? • Special Circuit Meeting in place ? • Feed-back to Circuit (& Chair) within 2 days • Letter of Understanding • confirming any verbal agreements re (eg) Tasks, Manse, Resources etc.

  23. Before September 2014 • Agree how you will keep in touch • eg re Manse; Circuit changes; dates etc. • Help current Churches & Circuit prepare for new ministry • Plan well for ‘good endings’ • Note Charter for Incoming Ministers • CPD p. 741 • applies to your successor too!

  24. Key Dates & Deadlines • By 20 September - Circuit Meeting • 25 September - all profiles to Chair/Warden • By 17 October – Circuit profiles available • 6 November/2 December – matches emerge • 8/15 November – 1st round visits • 6/13 December – 2nd round visits

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