Mutual Ministry Reviews And other ways to assess your congregation’s readiness for the future

What an MMR is NOT Complaining, blaming, or judging A “gotcha” for the priest

A Mutual Ministry Review (MMR) is: A way to evaluate where you have been, where you are, and where you would like to go A way to consider the gifts present in your congregation and determine if you are using these gifts to their potential A way to evaluate what has worked, what has not worked and begin to identify the “why” of both. A way to “take stock” of how your work fulfills the mission of Jesus Christ

Mutual Ministry is a radical reframing of the idea that strong individuals are solely responsible for the well-being of the whole community. The individual approach has often resulted in clergy isolation and burn-out, or blaming….” Living Into Our Ministries, Episcopal Church Foundation, 2003 The strong individual leader approach misses the abundant talent available to the community, within the community

Q. Who are the ministers of the Church? All Members of the Christian Community, not just ordained clergy, are called to be ministers From the Catechism of the Episcopal Church (page 855 of the Book of Common Prayer) Q. Who are the ministers of the Church? A. The ministers of the Church are lay persons, bishops, priests, and deacons

The Body of Christ From Ephesians 4:15-16 But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body’s growth in building itself up in love.

Mutual Ministry The image of the church as the body of Christ also reminds us that we need to care for that body, just as we need to care for our own physical body. Because all members of the body are interconnected, we can think of the work we do to build the body as “mutual ministry.”

Nuts and Bolts…How is it done The leadership team , generally the vestry and the clergy person in charge, should discuss the timing of the MMR. It makes sense to do a formal MMR every few years and a “check-in” yearly. But more often is fine. Less often is not. When you are beginning a new pastoral relationship it is good to schedule a formal MMR 1 year to 18 months after the beginning of the relationship If you have a longer standing relationship and have not done an MMR it is suggested that you discuss what an MMR is with your leadership team, including the clergy person (s) and then schedule it (through the Canon for Connections) An MMR is NOT something to employ in a time of crisis. The Canon for Connections office can facilitate other processes to help in a time of crisis.

Nuts and Bolts, cont., It’s the difference between getting the oil changed in your car and having a head gasket replaced. (do cars even have head gaskets anymore?) Ideally, the first MMR is completed in the midst of a yearly vestry retreat…having an entire day in which to do this work is best. The reality is that this is often too much for a vestry to do. In that case paperwork is sent out in advance, and returned to the consultant who will evaluate the data and come to either an evening meeting (one or two evenings) or a Saturday half-day session.

The Bottom Line An MMR asks a leadership team: Are you doing what you are called to do? This is accomplished ONLY if all involved are honest. With themselves, with each other and with God. You will receive some forms…one to evaluate yourself, one to evaluate the vestry as a whole, one to evaluate your clergy, and one to evaluate your congregation. The questions are pretty simple (see handout). You complete these forms and send them to your consultant. You then meet as a group and your consultant leads you through some data gathering and some honest conversation (see handout)

Keys to a Successful MMR Faith Prayer Honesty More Prayer And more Honesty It is a privilege to serve God through Church leadership.

“For the Parish,” adapted. Book of Common Prayer Finally Almighty and everliving God, ruler of all things in heaven and earth, hear our prayers for each of our parishes. Strengthen the faithful, rouse the careless, and restore the penitent. Grant us all things necessary for our common life, and bring us all to be of one heart and mind within your holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. “For the Parish,” adapted. Book of Common Prayer