Ministerial Development Review
MDR 2025-6
A message from Rev Conrad Hicks, District Chair (Dec25)
Dear Siblings in Christ,
I am aware that not everyone has had an MDR in recent years. I am also aware that MDRs are being reviewed following Conference. I am further aware that some colleagues really value MDR's and some do not.
Following consolations with the Deputy Chairs and then Connexionally, the South East District has offered to pilot anything that may replace MDRs. However, this will not be until at least the next Connexional Year.
I am therefore suggesting that this year, all qualifying Ministers in the District who wish to have an MDR be enabled to have one. In addition, all Superintendents will be invited to engage with MDR, as a first step to re-establishing MDR within the District and enabling superintendents to both learn and model best practice so that MDR becomes a positive experience for everyone.
Training will be offered through the Learning Network for Lay and Ordained Contributors who have not been trained or wish to be refreshed.
Ministers wishing to engage in MDR for 2025-6 should initially speak to their minister in oversight.
Ministerial Development Review (MDR) is part of the support and accountability tools for ministers within the Methodist Church in Great Britain. It is built on the foundation of the covenant relationship that shapes ordained ministry within Methoidsm.
MDR is rooted in the covenant relationship between the Conference and its ordained ministers and aims to provide opportunity for structured reflection on ministry within individual contexts. It applies to all ordained ministers (deacons and presbyters) in circuit or district appointments, and to all District Chairs. It also applies to every minister who has entered into an agreement with a circuit to undertake pastoral responsibility in one or more local church.
To find out more about MDR, please visit the MDR homepage on the Methodist Church website.
If you have any questions about how MDR is implemented in your circuit, please speak to your Superintendent in the first instance, or to your Assistant District Chair.
Introducing MDR
2 Training Video's have been created by the Connexional Ministries and Vocations Team to introduce MDR: available via https://methodist.org.uk/for-churches/ministries/ministerial-development-review/
Training for Ordained & Lay Contributors
The Learning Network are offereing a training session for understanding in MDR (same session fun on 2 occasions) during the 2024-25 connexional year.
These sessions are designed to help Ordained and Lay Contributors to:
Shape MDR meetings well for the benefit of all involved
Facilitate and guide the selection of topics for MDR with the minister going through the process
Understand the relationship of MDR to Reflective Supervision
How to successfully ask for, distil and share feedback well