Guidance for Members of the Local Community

Thank You for Bringing a Community Lens

Thank you for your willingness to contribute to the pilot of our updated Mission and Ministry Development Review (MMDR). Your perspective from beyond the worshipping congregation—whether as a local partner, community leader, or collaborator—helps the minister hear how their presence and leadership are experienced in the wider community. By sharing what is fruitful and what could be strengthened, you will help us refine the process before it is offered across the diocese later in the year, especially in relation to outreach, partnership working, and public witness.

Your Part in MMDR

You will be invited to complete a community-specific online feedback form. It invites you to comment on the minister’s visibility and engagement locally, the quality of relationships and partnerships, communication and responsiveness, and how their leadership and collaboration contribute to the wellbeing and mission of the wider community. The administrator downloads the form once you have submitted it, and your feedback is shared with the minister before they complete their self-reflection, ensuring the subsequent review conversation can take the community’s experience into account alongside church-based perspectives.

Safeguarding and Sensitive Feedback

If a point you wish to raise could be sensitive in your local context, you may indicate this in your form so that it is routed appropriately. Any safeguarding concerns should be raised with our Diocesan Safeguarding Officer (DSO) rather than through the MMDR conversation. Sensitive feedback is referred to the MMDR Officer before wider circulation in the pilot, and MMDR Consultants do not handle safeguarding concerns themselves but will pass them onto the DSO.

What You’ll Be Asked

The form will ask a little about you, then ask for your reflections in the areas set out below. Use the button below to open the form that enables you to offer your feedback. You can also download a PDF Version if that helps you to prepare your answers.

Here is a preview of the areas for reflection indicated on the form.

Community Engagement

Please let us know how the minister enables positive engagement with the local community, promoting cohesion, peace, and representing the Christian faith in a way that is respectful and inclusive.

Strengths

What do you see as the minister’s greatest strengths in their role within the community?
Please share one or two examples.

Areas for Development

Please share any thoughts you have about areas where the minister could further strengthen their contribution to community life.

Anything Else?

If you’d like to add anything else that could encourage or support this minister, please do.

Helping Improve the Process

Please add brief comments on the clarity of the form and the ease of offering feedback. Note any questions that felt repetitive or ambiguous and any guidance that could be re-phrased for lay leaders. These pilot observations will inform adjustments to the reviewer experience before diocesan roll-out.

Use the form below to offer your feedback once the process is complete.