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Stationing Guidelines for Circuits 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 Free from wrongful forms of discrimination
The Circuit: our unit of mission Appointments made to the Circuit team The role of the Circuit Stewards
The Context
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!)
Three key thing to remember
Be open to surprises
Communication
Care
A two-part process
1. Re-invitation [June – September] Should the present invitation be extended ?
Consultations Discernment & Recommendation (up to 5 yrs) Circuit Meeting Decision New letter of understanding
2. Stationing [September onwards] What ministry is required ?
Writing & reading Profiles The Matching Process
Part One: Re-invitation: an overview Initial preparations* Conversations with Minister* Consulting the Churches* Briefing the Stewards* Preparing a Recommendation* The Circuit Meeting Decision*
Initial Preparations Ensure that you have:
A Circuit Invitation Committee Delegated powers ? Liaise re Chair’s involvement
Current mission policy for the Circuit
(NB. clarify staffing policies in advance of any reinvitation process)
Current mission policy for the local church(es) Review the manse See questions for reflection at D6
1. Conversations with the Minister Initial conversation(s)
Is an re-invitation being sought ? Are there personal or family issues to be noted Additional Pastoral support ?
Meeting the Invitation Committee Personal and vocational aspirations
Feedback Feedback from consultations & recommendation
Meeting the Invitations Committee Ongoing conversation & support
Consulting the Churches Purpose
To give the Circuit Invitation Committee a clear understanding of the ministry and work being done within the church and community, how the local people view its further development and to assess how best that can be achieved.
NB: Only one part of the Committee’s deliberations
Consulting the Churches 1. Briefing the Steward(s) Ask appropriate questions Ask representative people Limit the process – 3 weeks Views - not votes ! Note those consulted Record & report responses Superintendency ?
Consultation of all Circuit churches
Asking Appropriate Questions [E20] What are the gifts & skills you most
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
Asking appropriate questions for a diaconal appointment [J20] 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?
Consulting the Churches 2. Towards a Recommendation Consult ecumenical & community partners Receive reports & check range of those consulted Circuit Stewards to produce report of consultation
and share with the minister Invitation Committee meets to receive report and
Minister’s response and produce written recommendation, with reasons
Share with Minister, District Chair & Lay Stationing rep; circulate to Circuit Meeting
The Circuit Meeting Decision
Timing 20 September deadline Chair’s involvement re Superintendents
Preparations* Procedures * Things to watch*
Preparations for Circuit Meeting Ensure minister is fully aware of
recommendation & reasons (NB: Minister can submit alternative reasoned
statement to appeal a recommendation [E10] Circulate recommendation to members in
advance Agree who will present recommendation Prepare voting slips
Circuit Meeting procedures Circuit Stewards present a summary of the
consultation & recommendation Minister can address meeting and/or respond
to points raised in discussion If no opposition registered in advance, in
writing, recommendation taken as agreed [E11] otherwise…
Minister leaves before a ballot vote 60% of those present & voting required for re-
invitation; 75% if for 11th or more years Minister informed of result New Letter of Understanding issued
Things to ensure: Reasons for recommendation clearly
understood No new points raised once minister has left
meeting or without right of reply 2 scrutineers appointed to count vote and
calculate % How minister will be informed of result Chair informed of result Ongoing support where necessary
Part Two: Stationing of Presbyters What form of Ministry ? The Circuit Profile The Ministers’ Profiles The Matching Process for Presbyters The Visit The Invitation & Letter of Understanding Before September 2015
What form of Ministry ? Clarify what form of ministry is sought
Presbyter Probationer ? – application to Chair by 16 September World church minister ?
Deacon – new stationing process Consult Warden of Order Application by 16 September
Lay – separate appointment process Alternative plans ?
The Circuit Profile What is it for ?
To describe the appointment in its context To outline the ‘job description‘ To inform the matching process
How is it prepared ? Local consultation: invitations Cttee + In consultation with the Chair
When is it needed ? By the Chair: 25th September 2014 By the connexion: 30th September 2014
The Ministers’ Profiles [G1-5]
Profiles of available Deacons/Presbyters sent to named Circuit Steward by 10/23 October
Invitations Cttee identifies possible matches
Consultation with Chair re 5 ‘best matches’ and any longer list
NB direct contact between Ministers and Circuits not permitted
The Matching Process [H1-12] Designation of Initial Stations: 25 September Matching process:
3-6 Nov/1-2 Dec: Stationing Matching 1 & 2 5-6 January: Initial Stationing Sub-committee 13 January: Stationing Matching 3
Matching practice: Ministers are matched to appointments Each appointment is matched as it is called
Stationing Matching Group Until May 2015
The Visit
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 Hospitality & family considerations ?
Invitation & Letter of Understanding The Circuit issues the invitation – or not
Delegated authority for Invitation Cttee ? Special Circuit Meeting in place ?
Feed-back to minister (& Chair) within 2 days Letter of Understanding
confirming any verbal agreements re (eg)
Tasks, Manse, Resources etc.
Before September 2015 Schedule manse work well in advance
Circuit policy & funding ? Methodist permissions ? Work programme
Keep in touch where appropriate Manse Any changes affecting Circuit Any longer-term dates
Care for existing Minister
Key Dates & Deadlines – cf. p.6 16 September – Probationer forms &
diaconal profiles to District & Warden
25 September – presbyteral profiles to District
By 17October – Ministerial profiles available 6 November/2 December – names emerge 8/15 November – 1st round visits 6/13 December – 2nd round visits