MMDR Pilot

The new set of forms is hosted on the industry‑leading Cognito Forms web app. This means they are platform‑independent and can be accessed from any device. You can also save your progress and return later, making the process more flexible and user‑friendly.

If you prefer to work on paper first or in another way, there are PDF versions of all the forms. Click on the ‘PDF Version’ button to download and print a version of the form you can use for your own preparation before filling in the online version if you prefer.

All clergy under Common Tenure, including Self‑Supporting Ministers, are now part of the process.

Ministers nominate specific Local Context Reviewers, including a Churchwarden and Parish Safeguarding Officer, and others of their choosing.

Reviewer feedback is shared with the minister before they complete their self‑reflection, ensuring richer insight.

The new form focuses on wellbeing, leadership in mission, ministry practice, and future aspirations.

Objectives are submitted via a dedicated online form for clarity and ease of tracking and to enable helpful follow-up support, without disclosing what may be personal or sensitive information.

A new meeting with a Mission and Ministry Development Adviser helps ministers turn objectives into practical steps, drawing on Continuing Ministry Development (CMD) opportunities within the Diocese and beyond, as well as other forms of accompaniment.

Objectives will be anonymised and aggregated to inform diocesan CMD provision and make sure it even more closely responds to learning needs in the Diocese.

Each minister taking part will receive an email when their MMDR becomes due, with clear guidance and links to the relevant online forms.

Ministers nominate Local Context Reviewers, and the Administrator sends role‑specific forms to those reviewers. Feedback from reviewers is shared with the minister. The MMDR Consultant is appointed, makes contact and receives the LCR feedback before the self‑reflection stage so both the minister and the Consultant can prepare well. The minister completes their self‑reflection online at least two weeks before the arranged meeting.

Once the minister has completed their reflection on their ministry form, the Consultant and minister meet and the Consultant facilitates a constructive conversation, drawing on the LCR’s feedback and the minister’s self-reflection, and together they agree a summary and development objectives, which the Consultant submits.

Once the process is complete, the administrator shares the agreed paperwork with the Bishop’s Staff. At their monthly meeting, the diocese’s senior leadership team takes time to read and reflect on recently completed MMDRs. This isn’t about scrutiny; it’s about understanding the realities of ministry, recognising the gifts ministers bring, and considering how best to offer support where it’s needed most. It’s an opportunity for the diocese to celebrate each minister’s contribution and respond with care.

After the review conversation, the Mission and Ministry Development Adviser meets with the minister to explore CMD resources, mentoring, and practical next steps. Consultants and reviewers may also be invited to share feedback on the process.

The administrator schedules an interim review at 12 months and the next full MMDR at 24 months, ensuring continuity and ongoing support.

The Administrator coordinates the entire process, sends out the necessary forms, logs and collates all submissions, appoints the Consultants, shares the completed MMDR bundle (self-reflection, agreed summary and development objectives) with senior staff, and assigns an Adviser to each participant once the MMDR is complete. Contact details below.

The Consultant facilitates the review meeting, drafts the agreed summary, and ensures that all wording is approved by the minister before submission.

To view more detailed guidance for Consultants, click here.

The Minister completes the self-reflection, nominates the local context reviewers, and agrees the final wording for both the summary and the objectives.

To view more detailed guidance for Ministers, click here.

Local Context Reviewers offer constructive feedback on the minister in their particular areas of insight. These reviewers may include churchwardens, Parish Safeguarding Officers, church members, and members of the local community.

The DDMM oversees the development and smooth operation of the whole process, manages any safeguarding or complex issues that arise, and provides support for the consultants. Contact details below.

MMD Advisors provide follow-up support for Continuing Ministerial Development, including mentoring and guidance on training after the review has taken place.

To view more detailed guidance for Advisers, click here.