Funding for Continuing Ministerial Development
Policy
Under Common Tenure [CT] arrangements, all serving clergy so appointed must undertake
appropriate Continuing Ministerial Development [CMD]. The Diocesan Clergy Handbook defines the
aims of CMD as:

To provide, resource and encourage professional development in ministry.

To help clergy to engage in dialogue with scripture and tradition and to develop the
skills of critical theological reflection.

To assist clergy to understand the society of today and how the gospel may be
interpreted in relation to the key issues.

To promote and sustain ministerial flourishing in all licensed ministers across the
diocese. Ministerial flourishing is seen in the context of the flourishing of all creation
which is a fundamental expression of the Mission of God.

To assist ministers to exhibit and demonstrate creativity, confidence and
competence.
No personal allowances
In past years the Diocese of Lincoln, in common with other dioceses in England, made
provision for CMD through a system of personal “credits”, by which individual clergy were allocated
an annual sum which, if unclaimed, accumulated over a period of up to three years. At the end of
the three years any unclaimed funds were written off and the process of accumulation
recommenced.
This system has been abolished; there are no earmarked personal allowances for CMD and
each application will be considered individually.
How Continuing Ministerial Development will be funded in future
The diocese, through the CMD Officer, makes some funds available for individual CMD
activities. These must be applied for and approved in advance [see below] and are subject to certain
conditions, which are set out here.
The main calls on the CMD budget are;

Provision of learning events in relation to specific focal periods of a person’s
ministry; these at present are at the time of first incumbency, during mid-career and
in the pre-retirement period. These are events arranged by the CMD Officer for
groups of clergy and are requirements rather than options.

Learning arising out of the Objectives from Ministerial Development Review [MDR].
These are also requirements, though the events themselves may be for individual
clergy, rather than for a group of clergy.

Other learning needs for individuals or groups which may be identified from time to
time arising out of particular situations and generally related to diocesan policies or
strategies.
When these have been met, a sum of money is available for individual learning needs. As noted
above these are discretionary and applications should be made using the standard form, found
either on the diocesan web site [http://www.lincoln.anglican.org/resources-parishesministry/downloadable-forms/continuing-ministerial-development/] or on application to the
Ministry Team Administrator ministry@lincoln.anglican.org .
Practice
Subject to the considerations outlined above, CMD grants can be made, at the CMD Officer’s
discretion, towards the cost of learning events in the following categories;

Courses teaching practical skills of value to clergy in their ministries [e.g.
administration, chairing meetings, listening skills, spiritual direction, educational
theory and practice, preaching, aspects of pastoral care, working with volunteers],
provided that these are not already being offered as diocesan-organised events;

Courses teaching aspects of theology and academic disciplines related to ministry;

Conferences on subjects related to theology and ministry;

Fees for accredited courses of study, including higher degrees, from recognised
academic institutions or other award-granting bodies;

Retreats;

Celebratory events and gatherings such as Spring Harvest and Greenbelt;

Special provision is also made for Extended Study Leave, subject to the conditions
laid out in the Diocesan Clergy Handbook. ESL is granted at the Bishop of Lincoln’s
discretion and applications should be made through the CMD Officer.
In any of the above categories, the CMD grant will cover a proportion of the cost of the event, up to
a maximum of £250. In making the grant the CMD Officer may take note of other grants received by
the applicant in recent years. They will also take note of whether the applicant has undertaken any
training stipulated in their MDR Objectives, or identified as necessary for people at their particular
stage in ministry [see above]; unaddressed objectives take precedence over self-selected events.
For learning events running over a number of years, or in distinct phases or modules, receiving a
CMD grant for one part of the event neither implies nor precludes the availability, or amount, of a
grant for a further period, phase or module.
Curates in Phase 2 training [post-ordination] may apply for CMD funding, but their application must
be supported by the Director of Ordinands.
Retired clergy in active ministry in the diocese may participate in CMD events and apply for CMD
funding.
The following categories are not eligible for CMD funding;

Any travel costs to or from events [these should be met as a legitimate item of
clergy working expenses];

Meals and overnight accommodation not included in the cost of the event;

Purchase of books or other learning materials;

Subscriptions to newspapers, journals, societies or other bodies;

Discretionary donations or gifts to providers of events.

Participation in events by clergy spouses or other family members, unless specifically
agreed in advance.
Refunds
Money given for CMD events, whether paid directly to the organisers or paid to the participant to
forward to the organisers with booking details, must be used for the purpose for which it was
designated.
If an event is cancelled by the organisers and money refunded to the intending participants, or if
participants do not attend, they are under an obligation to refund to the diocese any money paid to
them. If the reason for not attending was personal illness causing absence from work or some other
unavoidable difficulty, the CMD Officer may, at their discretion, waive this condition. However,
undertaking routine parish duties such as funerals and meetings will not be deemed sufficient
reason to exempt a participant from this obligation.
Neil Burgess: 22nd September 2015