Stationing Code of Practice for
ministers involved in Stationing 2015
The Context
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Methodism: a connexional Church
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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 all wrongful forms of discrimination
Ministry: an itinerant system
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Attention to the needs of the Circuits
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Ministers matched to appointments
Attention to needs & aspirations of ministers
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Supreme Court ruling
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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!)
A two-part process
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1. Consideration of current invitation [June –
September]
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Should the present invitation be extended ?
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Vocational Reflection & Circuit Consultations
Discernment & Recommendation (up to 5 yrs)
Circuit Meeting Decision
New letter of understanding
2. Stationing [September onwards]
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What ministry should I exercise next ?
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Writing & reading profiles
The Matching Process
Part One: Consideration of current
invitation: an overview
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6.
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Initial preparations*
Briefing of those involved
Consultation with minister
Consultation with churches
Preparing a recommendation and CIC
The Circuit Meeting
Letter of understanding or seeking new
appointment
1. Initial Preparations
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Personal prayer & reflection [D6]
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Who else could help me discern the way ?
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Where am I being led in ministry ?
What is my experience in this appointment so far ?
What are the opportunities for development here ?
How do my gifts match the future needs of the Circuit ?
What other factors are important ?
Colleagues; mentor; spiritual director ?
Stationing Advisory Committee?
Personal support
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What are my anxieties?
Who might walk this journey with me?
2. Consultation with minister part 1.
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Chair & Lay Stationing Rep
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Exploring the vocational journey
Reviewing the current factors
Circuit Stewards (& Invitations Committee)
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Initial reflections
Personal and vocational aspirations
2. Consultation with minister part 2.
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Feedback from Circuit stewards
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Meeting with Invitations Committee
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Exploring feedback
Reflection on response to feedback
Who reflects on it with you if it is difficult?
Hearing feedback and response
Personal and vocational aspirations
Opportunity for conversation
On-going conversation and support
3. Briefing
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Circuit stewards and church stewards
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Presbyters & Deacons
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Others involved in the process
4. The Consultation Process
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Purpose
Questions to be asked *
People to be consulted
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Within the local churches
As ecumenical or community partners
Time-frame
Feed-back
Discernment & recommendation
Right to prepare alternative statement
Asking Appropriate Questions
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What are the gifts & skills you 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
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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?
5. Preparing a recommendation
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Circuit stewards receive reports & check
range of those consulted
Circuit Stewards produce report of
consultation & share with minister
Invitation Committee meets to receive
written report, hear minister’s reflections
and produce written recommendation, with
reasons
5. Preparing a recommendation
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Invitations Committee
Recommendation shared with
Minister, District Chair & Lay
Stationing rep
 circulated to Circuit Meeting
 Right to prepare alternative statement
 NB E11 re unopposed extension
6. Circuit Meeting
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Ct Stewards present recommendation
Minister can address meeting and/or respond
to points raised in discussion
If no opposition registered, recommendation
taken as agreed; otherwise…
Minister (and any family member)leaves
before ballot vote taken
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60% of those present & voting required for reinvitation;
75% if for 11th or more years
Minister informed of result
7. After the circuit meeting
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Letter of understanding
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Importance of using template
Subject to the Conference
Seeking of new appointment
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What kind of appointment?
What do I need to say to the church in terms of
important considerations?
Part Two: Stationing
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The Minister’s Profile
The Circuit Profiles
The Matching Process for Presbyters
The Matching Process for Deacons
The Visit
The Invitation & Letter of Understanding
Before September 2015
The Minister’s Profile
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What is it for ?
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How is it prepared ?
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By you – checked by those who know you ?
In consultation with the Chair
When is it needed ?
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To describe you: experience, gifts, aspirations
To inform the matching process
25 September (Chair & Warden)
Other Options ?
The Circuit Profiles
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Profiles dispatched by 17 October
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Identify possible matches
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Consult Chair re 5 (3) best matches +
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NB no direct contact allowed
The Matching Process [H1-12/M1-2]
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Matching process:
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Matching practice:
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3-6 Nov/1-2 Dec: SMG 1 & 2
5-6 January:
Initial Stationing Sub-committee
13 January:
SMG 3
Ministers are matched to appointments
Each appointment is matched as it is called
Stationing Matching Group
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until 31 May 2015
The Visit [I1-13; N1-12]
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Within 10 days of the matching process
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Purpose:
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Normally Saturdays – 8 or 15/11; 6 or 13/12;
mutual discernment – not interview!
Practicalities:
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Information pack
Programme – Presentation?
Conversation with Invitations Committee
Hospitality & family considerations ?
Invitation & Letter of Understanding
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The Circuit issues the invitation – or not
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Delegated authority for Invitation Cttee ?
Special Circuit Meeting in place ?
Feed-back to Circuit (& Chair) within 2 days
Letter of Understanding
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confirming any verbal agreements re (eg)
Tasks, Manse, Resources etc.
Before September 2014
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Agree how you will keep in touch
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eg re Manse; Circuit changes; dates etc.
Help current Churches & Circuit prepare for
new ministry
Plan well for ‘good endings’
Note Charter for Incoming Ministers
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CPD p. 741
applies to your successor too!
Key Dates & Deadlines
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By 20 September - Circuit Meeting
25 September - all profiles to Chair/Warden
By 17 October – Circuit profiles available
6 November/2 December – matches emerge
8/15 November – 1st round visits
6/13 December – 2nd round visits