ACSQ Ministry Reflection and Review Program: important update
Resources & Research
“Following more than three years of research into the use of performance reviews in ministry and other professional settings, consultation about concerns and consideration of the benefits — including two pilots and feedback gathering from over 20 ACSQ clergy to create, trial and finetune our own ministry and wellbeing reflection tools and process — the Ministry Review Sub-committee is now ready to launch an ACSQ Ministry Reflection and Review Program,” says Archbishop Jeremy
As a member of the ACSQ Ministry Review Sub-committee for the past three and a half years, I have been a part of the huge amount of work that has been done to develop a well-considered Ministry Reflection and Review Program for clergy and stipendiary lay ministers in the Diocese.
Following more than three years of research into the use of reviews in ministry and other professional settings, consultation about concerns and consideration of the benefits — including two pilots and feedback gathering from over 20 ACSQ clergy to create, trial and finetune our own ministry and wellbeing reflection tools and process — the Ministry Review Sub-committee is now ready to launch an ACSQ Ministry Reflection and Review Program.
Late last year, Wellbeing and Development Officer Rebecca McLean and Ministry Review Sub-committee Chair Dr Trish Rathie submitted an ACSQ Ministry Review Program Recommendations Report, Implementation Plan and Policy to Diocesan Council, which were endorsed with much encouragement and positive feedback.
My own experience of participating in a number of different reviews over the years has been incredibly positive. While sometimes challenging, the discipline of reflecting on the way I share in ministry has always borne fruit. For me the outcome of a ministry review has always led to changes in the way I do things, new books or articles to read or simply affirmation that I’m doing some things well.
When we’re in the midst of a busy parish or work schedule, we sometimes don’t get a sense of how we’re going until something goes wrong. I’ve always found it helpful to reflect in a guided or structured way on how I’m working, and to set some clear learning goals for the year ahead so that I have some structure and discipline around my learning.
Policy implementation
Who will the Ministry Review Policy apply to?
The policy applies to all clergy with an active licence. The policy also applies to stipendiary lay ministers and PTO clergy who meet one or more of three criteria related to the regularity and nature of their ministry — the same criteria that applies to stipendiary lay ministers and PTO clergy in our Professional Supervision Policy.
In short, if you have a requirement to engage in professional supervision as per the ACSQ Professional Supervision Policy, you will also be required to engage in an annual ministry review.
Who is serving on the Sub-committee?
A Ministry Review Sub-committee — comprising clergy and lay professionals with personal experience in performance reviews, including the development and delivery of review programs — was formed in response to Royal Commission recommendations. The Sub-committee leads are Dr Trish Rathie (Sub-committee Chair) and Rebecca McLean (ACSQ Wellbeing and Development Officer). The other Sub-committee members are myself, The Rev’d Dr Ann Edwards, The Rev’d Canon Sarah Plowman and The Rev’d Cameron Freese. Previous committee members included Dr Stephen Harrison and The Ven. Kevin Bourke.
What is the approach and outcomes of the Sub-committee’s work?
Much consideration has been given to questions or apprehension about the introduction of ministry reviews. Such candid feedback has been much appreciated. The ministry review Sub-committee’s approach has been dedicated to providing a ministry reflection and review program that is a meaningful and life-giving process for ACSQ ministers to:
- reflect on their own current ministry and practice
- set personal and ministry development goals
- have more agency in the direction of their future ministry
- develop a deeper level of engagement in their role and with the wider Diocese.
For parishes and Diocesan clergy leadership, ministry reviews will also provide a critical mechanism for ministry accountability — in line with Royal Commission recommendations.
What will the Ministry Reflection and Review Program rollout look like?
All ministers meeting the criteria for undertaking a ministry review are required to participate in three different ministry review formats across a three-year cycle, as illustrated in this arrow diagram:
The policy will be softly launched this year, with all licensed clergy and Stipendiary Lay Ministers meeting the requirements to undertake a ministry review encouraged to complete an Individual Self Review during 2024.
The Individual Self Review involves completing a self-reflection questionnaire in your own time to reflect on your current ministry and practice. There is no requirement to submit your responses — the Individual Self Review is purely a tool to help facilitate your own personal ministry reflection and guide you in creating two to four meaningful development goals for the remainder of the year.
From 1 January 2025, all licensed clergy and Stipendiary Lay Ministers, who meet the requirements to undertake a ministry review, will be required to complete an Individual Self Review during the 2025 calendar year.
Ministers who wish to be early adopters of the other two ministry review methods developed for rollout in subsequent years — Self Review with a Reviewer or Facilitated Review — may nominate their interest for early completion in 2025.
To read and download the Ministry Review Policy, please visit The ARC.
Wellbeing and Development Officer note: For more information or to register your interest in undertaking an optional Individual Self Review in 2024, please contact Rebecca McLean via rebecca.mclean@anglicanchurchsq.org.au or 0401 137 340
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