Continuing Ministerial Development
Continuing Ministerial Development (CMD) is key to our role in authorised ministry, for we are called to lifelong development and ongoing personal reflection. The Diocese works hard to offer CMD events, of different sorts, throughout the year as well as encouraging individually-discerned CMD. Individuals are kept up to date with what is happening by the monthly email, ‘DMMC News’, and the Diocesan’s fortnightly newsletter, the Communicant.
CMD in the Diocese follows on from Initial Ministerial Training (IME), which is delivered at a Provincial level. During this time, both pre-and post-ordination, priests, deacons and lay readers train alongside each other, supporting and enriching each other’s ministry. This ethos is retained once curacy is completed, with curates attending some aspects of CMD alongside their IME2 formation.
A whole series of events is offered each year, from informal learning lunches to day courses and longer conferences. Details of the annual Clergy Conference, held in November each year, will be shared as they become available (contact the DMMC Team for more information).
Training and education courses are also available from a range of groups and institutions: a selection is curated via our Adventures in Faith Courses page. Individuals are also able to tailor CMD to their own needs and interests, for ongoing formation and development. In either case, there are CMD Grants available to help with the costs incurred.
Access to much of this training is underpinned by ongoing personal and theological reflection, particularly via the Bishop’s Ministerial Review process for those in receipt of a stipend. This is an annual process, facilitated by the Diocese’s College of Clergy, which can identify areas for growth and development. Similar forms of review should be undertaken by others in authorised ministry in partnership with line managers, incumbents, or the Warden of Lay Readers.