Clergy Eight-Year Assessment

1/15/2020

Polity Directive 2016 Book of Discipline ¶349.3b
Every clergy person shall also engage in a six-month process of personal and professional assessment and development every eight years. The process will be designed and implemented by the cabinet and Board of Ordained Ministry for each annual conference in consultation with the Chairs of the Orders of Deacons and Elders and Fellowship of Local Pastors and Associate Members. The process shall include both a formal review and an in-depth renewal opportunity, such as a retreat or series of coaching and mentoring sessions.

b) The in-depth renewal opportunity shall be designed by the cabinet and Board of Ordained Ministry in a form appropriate to the conference. The renewal opportunities shall include a combination of elements, such as: time apart for prayer and reflection, reflection with a covenant group, meetings with a coach, celebration of ministry milestones, and discernment of future ministry challenges and opportunities. When deemed important to help in the evaluation process, psychological assessments may be requested by the cabinet or Board of Ordained Ministry.

Purpose
The “RESTART” Assessment provides an opportunity for clergy in the Mississippi Conference of the United Methodist Church to “Restart” their passion for mission and ministry by participating in a time of personal “Reflection,” connectional “Realignment” and communal “Re-commitment.” The “RESTART” Assessment provides an individualized process for personal and professional development to form excellent spiritual leaders who equip clergy and laity for the work of making disciples.

Participants for 2020
The “RESTART” Assessment is specifically designed for those clergy who have reached a level of ministry that no longer requires prescribed study. This includes those that have been ORDAINED (Elder Ordination if prior to 1996), local pastors who have COMPLETED Course of Study and those who have become ASSOCIATE MEMBERS. Those who are in RETIRED status are not required to participate.

Those invited to participate in 2020 are those who reached the above status in the 2012, 2004, 1996, 1988 and prior to 1980. If you have any questions, contact the office of spiritual leadership.

NEXT STEPS
If you qualify as part of the 2012, 2004, 1996, 1988 or prior to 1980 groups to participate you need to do the following NO LATER THAN FEBRUARY 14, 2020.

REGISTER FOR 2020 “Restart” Assessment here.
REGISTER FOR FEBRUARY PREACHING FESTIVAL here. (participation in the festival is encouraged, but not required to participate in the assessment. Participants can come just for orientation.)

Process: “Reflection” - “Realignment” – “Re-commitment”

REFLECTION
- February 17-19, 2020, St. Mark’s UMC: MSAC Festival of Homiletics
  - February 18, 2020 at 6:00 p.m.: Orientation Dinner and Covenant Group Formation
March 2020: Peer Group Meeting: Burnout Assessment

Assessment tool should be completed by each participant and discussed

April 2020: Peer Group Meeting: Remembering Your Call

Participants will create a Ministry Journal creating a narrative to share that answers the following questions:

How did I experience God’s Call on my life?
Where are the places I have been blessed to serve?
What are the lessons each appointment taught me?
What is God calling me to do next?

REALIGNMENT
- May 2020: Peer Group Meeting: Defining “Personal Discipleship” Plans

Participants will create a Personal Discipleship Plan for continuing growth.

June 2020: Annual Conference Peer Group Meeting: Check-In

Participants will have a time to check-in with the peer groups and talk about and check-in on ministry, the PSPs and the upcoming session of AC.

July 2020: Final Peer Group Meeting: Refining “Personal Discipleship” Plan

Participants will share and perfect their plans for submission to district offices by August 31, 2020.

RECOMMITMENT
- August 22, 2020: “Re-commit” at Camp Wesley Pines 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Participants will share a Covenant Day of renewed ministry intentionality.