Taking Stock
Ministerial Accompanied Self – Appraisal
TakingStock
Ministerial Accompanied Self Appraisal
The basic theological concept behind ascheme of ministerial self-appraisal is that
we are all accountable to God for the
discharge of the ministry graciously given
to us. A framework in which we regularly
stand back and reflect can be seen as our
recognition of that basic accountability.
There are other New Testament themes
behind this scheme. These include the full
use of gifts and talents in God's service;
the concept of stewardship; and the need
for each of us to play our proper part in
the life of the Body so that it grows and
develops. Of course these are all
discipleship themes.
It is appropriate, therefore, that those
called to ministry should have the
opportunity to 'take stock' of that
ministry, and to do so as objectively as
possible. We see Jesus facing this Himself
(e.g. the Temptations) as well as expecting
those who would be His followers to do
the same, (e.g. Mark I0: 17ff or Luke 24:
13ff.) It might be reasoned that such 'taking
stock' could best be achieved through
personal prayer and reflection. But we are
not always the best people to appraise
ourselves without support. It is hard to
be objective and it is not always easy to
discern God's intention in our lives.
Nor is `Taking Stock' necessarily best
done alongside those closest to you,
either in your ministry or in your personal
life. The Elders' Meeting may not be
equipped for such a task. They may bring
other agendas to it. They may be too
involved. Alternatively self appraisal
alongside your best friend may be more
comfortable and more thorough - but it
may not be objective! / In the United Reformed Church, those
who are called by God to the ministry of
Word and Sacraments have that sense of
call tested and acknowledged by the
Church. The Church also gives the
authority for the exercising of that
ministry. The first function of a District
Council is the oversight of the ministry.
This function can only be properly carried
out when we recognise our mutual
accountability within the community of
Christ and as we seek to encourage one
another. Ministry is a shared experience
through which we serve others, and in
which we build up others as we ourselves
are built up in the Body of Christ.
The purpose of this scheme of self-appraisal is neither to interrogate ministers nor to check up on
them. Its only goal is an enrichment of that ministry to which God so graciously calls us in Christ
The scheme of self- appraisal as set out in
this document offers a way of doing this in
conjunction with a nominated colleague
who must first have undergone the same
process him/herself. Mutuality is the
keynote.
Pastoral ministry has few obvious
successes and failures. We are not really
in the business of achieving defined
objectives. We plant seeds, often in
secret. without knowing what the nature
or timing of the harvest is to be. That is
often not in our hands. The goal of this
scheme is to find a way of echoing praise for all that is good inministry, and to help address
whatever can be improved.
PART I: Guidelines for completing this questionnaire.
Before you start filling in the document: >Allocate adequate time to completing the appraisal
document: >
You may wish to make additional notes: >
Make the question fit your situation:
>
Provide a potted description of your circumstances: >
You will need to make a copy of your completed appraisal document to send to your appraisal partner at least three weeks before your meeting.
Involving others: > / It is suggested that you read it all through at least once in order to understand the concept of self-appraisal which can be seen as a personal 'stock take'.
Note any concerns or ideas you have about the appraisal (the short 'title' for the process). You could jot these down on an accompanying sheet. Check them after you have completed the form, and make any amendments. It is a good idea to include any such extension sheets with your appraisal document; they may well be helpful in your discussions with your appraisal partner.
It is suggested that three hours is not excessive and at least two will be required to complete it comfortably. You may find it helpful not to attempt to complete this document at one time, but to come back to it on different occasions. The more time available to reflect on it, the more helpful you are likely to find this
These might act as an aid to subsequent reflection and to your discussions with your appraisal partner. Again, use extension sheets if desirable or necessary.
This document has to cover ministry in a single church or in joint and group pastorates and in non-pastoral posts. Therefore, please respond to the questions accordingly. Pass over the areas that do not relate to your ministry and add anything that you think may have been overlooked or which is specific to your ministerial role.
On the facing page please add your name and a brief description of yourself, the church or churches (or other position) and the setting in which you minister. This will provide helpful background for your appraisal partner.
You may wish to talk to your elders or support group before you fill in part 3. After the appraisal, you may wish to share the insights gained and conclusions reached with the Elders
and/or Members in your church. This is for you to decide. The whole process and its outcome can remain confidential between you and your appraisal partner or be used by you as part of a wider review of ministry where you are serving.
The only exceptions to confidentiality are:
(a) if the Appraisal Partner considers the minister is a danger tohim/herself and/or other people;
(b) if the minister has done something illegal.
In these cases the Appraisal Partner will tell the minister and inform the Synod Moderator
Name
Church or post
Description of current Church/s or post
Description of my ministerial responsibilities
Description of my family, friends and interests
Part 2: Personal reflection
This aspect of our lives encompasses our whole selves, i.e. our personal and spiritual growth relationships and self-management.. Obviously this cannot be assessed in the some way as our other activities. Here are some open ended questions for your consideration and review. Please would you read the questions below and answer as you thinkthem appropriate for you.
1What is the pattern of my prayer life and private study?2 In what ways, and to what extent, does this pattern meet my personal spiritual needs and objectives?
3Details of CME activities during the past two years: - study days / workshops / retreats attended for spiritual and personal development
4In what ways has my thinking and spiritual life changed and/or developed in the past two years?
What caused these changes?
5 What changes have there been in thinking in the church, in the local church and in the wider church, over recent years?
How have they affected my ministry?
6What changes have there been in society over recent years?
How have they affected my ministry?
In terms of support, both personal and professional, consider to what extent your current needs are being met…….if you prefer not to write down your thoughts, you could consider these questions and share them in conversation at the meeting with your partner.
7 Personal issuesThink of a recent situation that caused you stress/anxiety.
I felt:- Very supported: adequately supported: unsupported (pleasechooseoneoption)
From whom and where did that support come?
8 Work related issues
Think of a recent situation that caused you stress/anxiety.
I felt:-Very supported: adequately supported: unsupported (pleasechooseone option)
From whom and where did that support come?
9If my support does not feel adequate can I identify people who might offer support in the future?
10Please consider any other person or event which has significantly affected, positively or negatively, you and/or your ministry in the past 2 years e.g. family bereavement, birth of a child, vandalism. Mention any aspect of it that you feel you can on a form such as this. Otherwise please make personal notes and indicate you have done so.
11 Please consider any practical aspect of your situation, which may place an unnecessary strain on you/your family/your ministry (e.g. housing, finance etc). Again make notes appropriate to you.
12 What is my pattern of 'time off ?
13 In what ways, and to what extent, do I meet my need to spend time
on my own or with family and friends?
14In what ways do I `treat' myself?
Part 3: personal assessment of main ministerial activities
Certain broad categories of concern to the whole church are listed below:
Worship
Proclamation of the Good news
Teaching
Christian nurture
Service of human needs
Justice
Integrity of creation
Ecumenism
The WorldChurch
VisionBuilding
1 Which of these are most important in my ministry? Why is this?2 How do people respond to these areas of my ministry?
3 Why do I regard other areas as less important?
4 Are there issues which are a priority for me in my ministry about which the church community/my colleagues feel differently or I feel unable to share with them?
5 What effect does that have on my ministry?
The following pages contain a reasonably exhaustive list of activities often carried out in ministry. Please make a personal assessment of the aspects appropriate to you. It is understood that activities not relevant to your ministry will remain blank.
The limitations of such an exercise are appreciated but it should stimulate your thinking and your awareness of expectations, both your own and those of others.
The following list is not set out alphabetically nor is it in any order of significance.
Activity / I spend too much / the right amount / not enough time doing this / How do I rate my effectiveness in this part of my ministry – sufficient / insufficient / My perception of my effectiveness is based on....Worship
Preaching
In my own church/post
In other churches
Preparation time
Speaking
To church groups
Non church groups
Preparation time
Teaching and nurture
Children/young people
Elders, JuniorChurch leaders etc.
Adult groups
Facilitating the training of others in these areas
Tutoring / mentoring students ministers and/or related professions
Counselling, mentionareas for which you have received specific training
Activity / I spend too much/the right amount/not enough time doing this / How do I rate my effectiveness in this part of my ministry – sufficient / insufficient / My perception of my effectiveness is based on....
Pastoral care & support
Home visiting
Marriage preparation
Baptism preparation
Hospital visiting
Bereavement support
Relationship and family support
Handling spontaneous enquiries e.g. homelessness, pleas for help
Meetings
Chairing
Participation in other ways
Preparation time
Planning events and projects
Please identify specific activities
Doing (hands on practical work) e.g. carrying out duties of church officers in absentia or stepping in to salvage a task inadequately done or forgotten.
Activity / I spend too much/the right amount/not enough time doing this / How do I rate my effectiveness in this part of my ministry – sufficient / insufficient / My perception of my effectiveness is based on…….
Any other activity
Writing;
articles, reports, letters,
books. poetry, music
Please add any task or activity we have overlooked and which is specific to your ministry
Are there any activities where the time spent does not match the importance I attach to the activity?
Are there any activities where the time spent does not match the importance others attach to the activity?
Make any comment you feel appropriate about your interactions with the following:-
The congregations (if in a team or group ministry consider each one)
Other URC ministers
Team colleagues
District and Synod colleagues
Ecumenical colleagues
In a non-Church post other professional /volunteer colleagues
Other members of committees/groups
Church
Community
Users of church premises
In church
Other social events
General questions for your consideration
In this section you need not confine yourself to the last two years
What do I most like doing in my ministry?What occasion(s) in the past in my ministry gave me the most satisfaction?
In what ways did I contribute to the occasion/outcome?
What other factors were significant contributions?
What do I least like doing in my ministry?
What occasion(s) in the past in my ministry gave me the most dissatisfaction?
In what ways did I contribute to the occasion/outcome?
What other factors were significant contributions?
Part 4: Thoughts on the future
What am I hoping for in the coming year:
in terms of my ministry?
in my personal life?
What training (CME) or support might help me achieve this?
What would I like to be doing in 5 years time;
in terms of my ministry?
in terms of my personal life?
In order to work towards those changes what do I need to be doing now;
for my ministry?
for my personal life?
In what ways am Iplanning for a longer term future and/or retirement?
And finally...... ’TAKING STOCK’ 20…
Please complete this section at the end of, or a few days after, the meeting with your Appraisal partner.
If you want time to reflect after the partnered session before setting your goals please let your partner know that you have done so either by phone or letter within seven days of your meeting
This section is for your benefit, any goals or targets set are for you to take forward over the next two years and place in your CME folio. This booklet remains in your possession and this section together with the rest of your responses in this booklet will be a point of reference for your future use in ‘Taking Stock’
As a result of this process I perceive my strengths to be:The special skills/knowledge/aptitude/interest I would like to use more and share in my ministry are:
The areas I would like to reflect on or discuss further are:
I would like further support and CME training in:
The targets /objectives I wish to set for myself are:-
I will discuss my progress towards these targets/objectives with my support group/spiritual director/buddy/some else within the next 6 months
Person chosen……………………. Date of discussion……………………..
Signed
Date