The Clergy Wellness Commission

Guidelines for Mutual Ministry Review

Source/Introduction

The following suggestions and reflections come from "Guidelines for Mutual Ministry Review" in Called to Work Together: A Handbook on Letters of Agreement for Clergy and Congregations, by Richard L. Ullman. (Published by the Office for Ministry Development, Episcopal Church Center, New York City. New York. First Edition:1983, Revised: 1988, 1990, 1993).

"Permission to reprint material from this handbook is hereby granted, providing you acknowledge the source and you use the copied material internally in the administration of a local congregation or denominational structure."

The following text is copyright © (1983, 1984, 1988, 1990, 1993) by Richard L. Ullman. All Rights Reserved.

6 Guidelines for Mutual Ministry Review

One way or another it happens. Review and evaluation of ministry always go on at the informal level. In addition, many clergy and congregations have struggled to develop helpful ways to approach ministry review at the formal level. There is useful ferment in the field; no single model for ministry review seems to satisfy the varying needs of clergy and congregations wanting to engage in it.

Nevertheless, some lessons have emerged as general principles to be applied to particular cases:

1. Intentionality It is more constructive to plan for regular, formal review than to wait for events and evaluative pressures to overtake persons involved in directing to a congregation's ministry.
2. Mutuality Review is best understood as an exercise in mutual ministry, not an adversarial event. To look at a Rector's performance in isolation from that of the Vestry's, or vice versa, encourages defensive, win-lose behavior and feelings.
3. Consultation Ministry Review is generally easier and results are better when a consultant from outside the congregation assists the process. The consultant should be theologically proficient, knowledgeable about congregational life, and skillful in working with groups.
4. Continuity The review must be set firmly in context. Particulars vary from congregation to congregation, but always include: the theological understanding which undergirds ministry and mission in that congregation; position descriptions of the parties involved; report of the last review, including goals which it set; major events in the life of all parties since the last goals were set.
5. Variety There are many ways to review ministry. Data can come from routine congregational records, or from special surveys and questionnaires, or from the impressions of a number of selected persons. The review team can be composed in many ways: a special committee of leaders; the Rector and Wardens; the Vestry acting as a committee of the whole; a broad sample of people meeting in retreat. Performance goals can be as varied as the sum of the activities and dreams of the whole congregation, or as singular as "the most important project in our life together". No one method is correct for all circumstances. Many people agree, however, that it is interesting and productive to change approaches every few years.
6. Simplicity Clergy and congregations new to ministry review commonly find that their process seems to run away with them. It is wise to aim for simplicity: only a few goals held up for formal review at each evaluation cycle; performance measurements that are easily administered and clearly understood; a limited number of meetings for the review team, held in a relatively short span of time (e.g., four weeks).

Updated Mutual Ministry Review Cycle

Developed by Cornerstone, of the Episcopal Church Foundation

Living into Our Ministries
The Mutual Ministry Cycle: A Resource Guide is an opportunity to join one another in fulfilling the promises we make in our baptismal covenant. This resource guide provides ways to organize our efforts and helps us move from maintenance to mission. Planning for ministry, doing the work, and reviewing or reflecting on what we have done constitutes the mutual ministry cycle.

Download a copy of Living into Our Ministries: The Mutual Ministry Cycle: A Resource Guide 1.4MB

What is a Mutual Ministry Review (MMR)?
Mutual Ministry Review (MMR) is only one stage of the Mutual Ministry Cycle. It is:

• An opportunity to discern God’s will, to identify mutually agreed upon responsibilities, and a call for all ministers (clergy and laity) to be accountable for their ministry;
• An opportunity to identify ways to enhance the various ministries of the church and its people, including the lay persons, vestry, staff, and clergy;
• An opportunity for education about the work of the various ministries of the church;
• It is not a method to resolve conflict or deal with problems and crises;
• It is not a performance review;
• It is not part of the clergy compensation discussion and salary negotiations.

Why conduct a Mutual Ministry Review?
An MMR offers a chance to comprehensively consider the ministry of the whole parish. On an annual basis the clergy, the vestry, and the parish community need to assess how effectively they are fulfilling their responsibilities to each other and their ministries.This resource provides a framework for assessing and celebrating the ministry of the parish, as well as a means to identify areas for growth and development.

For more information, contact:

• Cornerstone
• Episcopal Church Foundation

And Beyond...

Beyond these six guidelines, there are other resources, including the following:

• Download Mutual Ministry Review Guidelines
   49KB Word
  
• Most dioceses have staff members experienced in ministry review. Staff in regional offices of other judicatories may be willing to share their experience and their knowledge of local resources.
• The Church Deployment Office of the Episcopal Church provides a detailed discussion of review principles and methods in their pamphlet Mutual Ministry Review: For Clergy and Parishes (l988). It may be ordered from them at: 815 Second Avenue, New York, NY l00l7-4594.
• The Alban Institute (4125 Nebraska Avenue NW, Washington, DC 200l6) continually researches congregations all over the country. Many of its publications offer helpful insights for congregational life, especially the interaction between clergy and laity. Evaluation Of, By, For and To The Clergy by Loren B. Mead examines the evaluation process and suggests a healthy approach.
• The Office of Education of Mission and Ministry of the Episcopal Church in l983 published a Guide for Congregational Self-Evaluation which models one useful approach to the subject. Write them at: 815 Second Avenue, New York, NY l00l7-4594.

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