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Diaconal Probationer Form C – 2018

DIACONAL PROBATIONER FORM C (2018)

CIRCUIT REPORT

To be completed in consultation with circuit ministerial colleagues and Circuit Stewards (or Circuit Leadership Team). If the Superintendent has delegated responsibility for the probationer’s supervision to someone else, this person must have considerable input into this report.

These forms are designed to aid the District Probationers’ Committee to assess the general fitness of the probationer as someone who is:

·  Adequately formed in the being and role of a Methodist deacon (including participating in the life of the Religious Order and living out the Rule of Life in a way that is appropriate to their circumstances and understanding)

·  Appropriately able to act as a representative person

·  Adequately able to perform the tasks of a deacon.

Probationer’s name......

Circuit......

Type of appointment ………………………………......

1.  Please give a brief outline of the nature of the appointment including, if a part-time appointment, the number of hours worked.

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2.  Who has met with the probationer in order to discuss and assess his/her work, and how frequently? What topics have been covered?

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3.  How often does the circuit staff meet and for what purposes?

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4.  What induction, training and supervision in the practical tasks of diaconal ministry has the probationer received? If the probationer is not a Local Preacher does he/she assist in leading worship at least once a month? How is this assessed?

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5.  Is the probationer taking holidays and regular time off work?

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6.  What time does the probationer give to his/her studies?

Is it adequate (a) in amount (b) in quality?

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7.  Has the probationer submitted any written assessments of his/her work? If so, please give an account of these in your report below.

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8.  How is the probationer participating in the life of the Order?

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9.  Has any other person had any responsibility in helping to train the probationer? If so, please state who and take into account his/her judgement in your report below.

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10.  Please give a comprehensive report on the probationer’s work and progress, detailing any criticisms you may have and making any suggestions you may have for his/her future growth. Give attention, for example, to his/her

a)  theological awareness and ability to relate theology to context

b)  capacity for theological reflection

c)  development as a reflective practitioner

d)  participation in worship, including leading and preaching as appropriate

e)  pastoral work

f)  development as a member of the Methodist Diaconal Order

g)  involvement in the community, including projects and formal/informal links

h)  response to the Orientation project / Gospel in Context project

i)  teaching and nurturing; bible study and house groups, baptism and membership classes, etc

j)  relationships

Continue on a separate sheet if necessary

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11.  Overall conclusions:

It will help the DPS and the Committee if you can record your overall conclusions around the six headings used to assess competencies at all stages of candidating, training and probation (for more detail see the Handbook for Ministerial Probation):

Vocation: call and commitment (including participation in the life of the Order)

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Being in relationship

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The Church’s ministry in God’s world

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Leadership and collaboration

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Learning and understanding

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Communication

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Whom have you consulted in making this report?

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Please note that it is essential that your comments make clear at what level of competence you judge the probationer to be and on what evidence that judgement is based.

Signed (Superintendent): ...... Date: ......

Signature of supervisor (if the Superintendent is not the supervisor):

......

Signature of probationer: ......

Probationer’s comments:

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