C.3 REPORTS ON LEADING WORSHIP FORM 2018/19

Transcription

1 CANDIDATING FOR ORDAINED MINISTRY C.3 REPORTS ON LEADING WORSHIP FORM 2018/19 INTRODUCTION This form is very different from forms used to assess local preachers on trial or those training to become worship leaders. It directs those who are assessing a service to judge it against some of the G. 4 Selection Criteria for Ordained Ministry document which can be found on the candidating website (Further details will be found in 5.1 below). 1 ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE SERVICES 1.1 Two services, in different locations if possible one outside the circuit, are to be assessed (on two forms). The co-ordinator of the panel of assessors should contact the candidate prior to the dates of the acts of worship to be assessed. This will enable them to have a preparatory conversation about what will occur, which should include discussion of the format and requirements of this form. The candidate should be advised to look at this form on the website so they know what is to be assessed, not less than five days before the service. 1.2 Those who are already local preachers candidating as presbyters or deacons will regard preaching as part of the wider ministry to which they are called. You are not assessing their appropriateness as a local preacher; that has been done by means of their previous training. Likewise, you are not assessing a diaconal candidate who is a worship leader on their appropriateness as a leader of worship in their local context; that has been done through the course of training that they have successfully completed. 1.3 Therefore, those reporting on the leading of worship and preaching are asked to determine whether the gifts that the candidate has as a preacher or worship leader could be developed further if they are recommended for ordained ministry. The (perceived) ability to perform at the advanced level required of an ordained person will be developed in the process of pre-ordination training. Two reports are required and the context of worship should differ between them. Although it is good to see how the candidate uses the gifts of other people in worship, both services should be those in which the candidate takes the leading role and for which she or he holds overall responsibility. 1.4 Using these reports, interviewers at the District Candidates and Connexional Selection Committees may ask questions of the candidate to determine that they can reflect upon the nature of worship and the exemplary role of the presbyter or deacon as a preacher/facilitator/leader of worship. C.3 REPORTS ON LEADING WORSHIP FORM 2019 Page 1 of 10

2 1.5 Immediately after the act of worship the panel should meet (without the candidate) and collaboratively compile a consolidated report on which they are all agreed. The co-ordinator will then meet with the candidate. 2 ALL CANDIDATES 2.1 The coordinator of the panel of assessors should contact the candidate at least a week prior to the day of the act of worship that is to be assessed, to have a preparatory conversation about what is to occur. Immediately following the act of worship the panel will meet (without the candidate) and collaboratively compile a consolidated report with which they are all in agreement. The coordinator will then meet with the candidate, not later than five days after the assessed act of worship to discuss the report with them. The report will be on this C.3 Report on Leading Worship Form. The candidate should be invited to add any written response that they wish to make and to sign the report. 2.2 Panel members are asked particularly to assess if a candidate is likely to be able to perform at the advanced level required of an ordained person, bearing in mind that their skills will be further developed in the process of pre-ordination training. Nevertheless, it is important that candidates (particularly presbyteral candidates) demonstrate that they have the potential routinely to preach and/or lead worship in different contexts with consistent skills, creativity and competence. 2.3 Two reports are required and the context of worship should differ between them. Although it is good to see how the candidate uses the gifts of other people in worship, both services should be those in which the candidate takes the leading role, or for which they hold overall responsibility. 2.4 Those who are already local preachers candidating as presbyters or deacons will regard preaching as part of the wider ministry to which they are called. You are not assessing their appropriateness as a Local Preacher; that has been done by means of their previous training. Likewise, you are not assessing a diaconal candidate who is a worship leader on their appropriateness as a leader of worship in their local context; that has been done through the course of training that they have successfully completed. 3 PRESBYTERAL CANDIDATES (AND DIACONAL CANDIDATES WHO ARE LOCAL PREACHERS) 3.1 The two acts of worship shall be preaching services where the candidate is responsible for planning the worship and is the preacher. It is the responsibility of the candidate and the Superintendent to ensure that arrangements are made to comply with this requirement. 3.2 For each act of worship, the panel of assessors (one of whom shall, by agreement with their colleagues, coordinate the work of the panel) will normally comprise: A presbyter or deacon (who is an accredited preacher) An experienced Local Preacher, designated by the Circuit Local Preachers' Meeting A lay office bearer of the circuit (e.g. a Steward). C.3 REPORTS ON LEADING WORSHIP FORM 2019 Page 2 of 10

3 (Please bear in mind that the interviewing committees want as objective and independent a view of the candidate as possible, so none of the above should be related to the candidate, if at all possible.) 3.3 Although the report form does not specifically refer to the sermon, it is important that candidates, demonstrate that they have the potential routinely to preach and/or to lead worship in different contexts with consistent skill, creativity and competence. 4 DIACONAL CANDIDATES WHO ARE WORSHIP LEADERS 4.1 Each report will be a formal assessment of the candidate s leadership of worship. The two services or acts of corporate prayer and devotion that are reported upon should be of different kinds/styles, conducted in contrasting settings. The candidate shall have had significant responsibility for the planning of the worship. It is the responsibility of the candidate and the Superintendent to ensure that arrangements are made to comply with this requirement. 4.2 For each act of worship, the panel of assessors (one of whom shall, by agreement with his/her colleagues, coordinate the work of the panel) will normally comprise: A presbyter or deacon An experienced Worship Leader or Local Preacher, designated by the Circuit Leaders of Worship and Preachers' Meeting A lay office bearer of the congregation (e.g. a Steward). (Please bear in mind that the interviewing committees want as objective and independent a view of the candidate as possible, so none of the above should be related to the candidate, if at all possible.) 5 SELECTION CRITERIA RELATING TO THE SERVICE 5.1 Sharing in an act of worship led by a candidate (Presbyteral or Diaconal) should enable a panel to help assess their ability to meet some of the criteria set out in G.4 Selection Criteria for Ordained Ministry in the Methodist Church. The full document is available on the website. It is hoped that members of the panel will read these criteria, PARTICULARLY THE COMMENTARY WHICH LIES BEHIND EACH OF THE CRITERIA. 5.2 The following criteria have been selected as being particularly relevant to the important skills in leading worship (which includes preaching if the candidate is a local preacher). 5.3 While panel members are asked to indicate something of the competence of the candidate by the use of boxes it is NOT a tick box exercise. The evidence offered at the end of each section is even more important for both the candidate and the Church as it seeks discernment. Comments supported by evidence are particularly important and helpful (to the District and Connexion) if they reflect on either of the categories Good or Work Needed. 5.4 Work Needed indicates that a candidate needs to improve their knowledge of skill before they meet the district or connexional selection committees. Your comments should help the candidate in this. C.3 REPORTS ON LEADING WORSHIP FORM 2019 Page 3 of 10

4 5.5 There may well be some circumstances where No Information is an appropriate response, but if it is used too frequently it may indicate that the candidate is not meeting the criteria required. SUBMITTING THE REPORTS It is the responsibility of the Superintendent or a person identified by them to return this form to the Development and Personnel (Candidates) Office by noon on 04 December 2018 as: an attachment (in Word) by to candidates@methodistchurch.org.uk and a signed hard copy by post to Candidates Office, Human Resources and Development, Methodist Church House, 25 Marylebone Road, London NW1 5JR. C.3 REPORTS ON LEADING WORSHIP FORM 2019 Page 4 of 10

5 CANDIDATES FOR ORDAINED MINISTRY DIACONAL AND PRESBYTERAL C.3 REPORT ON LEADING WORSHIP 2018/19 Name of Candidate 1 VOCATION (Call and Commitment) 1.1 An inner sense of call that is confirmed by others 1.5 A call that is transformative, in that the candidate is being changed by this sense of call and is willing to continue to be changed 2 VOCATION (Ministry in the Methodist Church in Britain) 2.2 Demonstrable and enthusiastic commitment to and a desire to serve the Methodist Church in Britain C.3 REPORTS ON LEADING WORSHIP FORM 2019 Page 5 of 10

6 3 RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD The Church is seeking evidence of a relationship with God which is: 3.1 Grounded in an understanding of God s loving acceptance and a personal commitment to Christ 3.2 Both mature and childlike with a capacity to grow 4 PERSONALITY AND CHARACTER 4.1 Self-awareness and self-acceptance grounded in God s loving acceptance 4.2 Emotional stability 4.3 Maturity, honesty and integrity 4.4 Appropriate self-confidence and humility 4.6 Potential for self-confidence and growth C.3 REPORTS ON LEADING WORSHIP FORM 2019 Page 6 of 10

7 5 BEING IN RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHERS 5.1 An ability to relate to a variety of people 6 THE CHURCH S MINISTRY IN GOD S WORLD 6.1 Knowledge and understanding of mission and evangelism, including the variety of approaches within the Methodist Church 6.3 Out of engagement with the world of work and contemporary culture in a multicultural society, the ability to make connections imaginatively between today s world and the gospel 7 LEADERSHIP AND COLLABORATION 7.1 Knowledge and understanding of leadership 7.2 Ability to exercise leadership in the Church community and beyond C.3 REPORTS ON LEADING WORSHIP FORM 2019 Page 7 of 10

8 7.3 Capacity to offer an example of faith, discipleship and humble service 7.4 Ability to inspire, enable and empower others 7.5 Potential for creative leadership 7.6 Willingness and ability to work collaboratively, and capacity to exercise appropriate authority 7.7 Ability (to work with supervision and) to supervise others 7.9 Flexibility, adaptability and willingness to take risks. 8 LEARNING AND UNDERSTANDING 8.1 Ability to learn and to benefit from theological study 8.3 Curiosity and flexibility of mind 8.4 Capacity to use a range of ways of thinking and models of reflection and to select the most appropriate for each situation 8.5 Appreciation of the significance of theology to the Church C.3 REPORTS ON LEADING WORSHIP FORM 2019 Page 8 of 10

9 9 COMMUNICATION 9.1 Ability to express faith naturally and effectively in ways that are appropriate, accessible and sensitive to the situation, using biblical and theological understanding 9.2 Ability to select and use the most appropriate media and approach for the context 9.3 Careful and appropriate use of language 9.4 Understanding and appropriate use of symbols, gestures and space 9.5 Effective communication skills for mission and evangelism. C.3 REPORTS ON LEADING WORSHIP FORM 2019 Page 9 of 10

10 OVERALL ASSESSMENT Candidate s comment (if applicable) SIGNATURES NAME OF COORDINATOR OF ASSESSMENT PANEL:... (Please print) (Signature) I have read and discussed this Report I have/have not chosen to add my own comments Candidate..(Signature) C.3 REPORTS ON LEADING WORSHIP FORM 2019 Page 10 of 10