clergy terms of service

Clergy Terms

of Service

What is

Clergy Terms of Service ?

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CTS introduces a new ecclesiastical office called

Common Tenure

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Why do we need Common Tenure?

• Better ongoing support for officeholders

• Security for the vulnerable• Shared accountability• Getting in line with employment

legislation

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What is Common Tenure?

• A new way of holding office for all clergy

• Eventually freehold will disappear

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Common Tenure provides ‘rights’ for clergy

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Greater protection for clergy through:Description of the Office

Regular ministry review Engagement in continuing

development

Common Tenure provides ‘rights’ for clergy

Access to new procedures for capability and grievance

Redundancy in the case of pastoral re-organisation

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What does Common Tenure require from the clergy?

• commitment to CME• Participation in MDR• Subject to capability procedures

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Statement of Particulares

• Issued to everyone on Common Tenure

• Basic terms and conditions that apply to this particular post-holder

• Not a contract of employment!• As succinct as possible – will refer to

other documents• Some clergy will have more than one

SoPwww.commontenure.org

Statement of Particulars

What is in such a statement?• Name of office holder• Title to which appointed• Officer nominated to give SoP• Period of notice

(cont)www.commontenure.org

Statement of particulars

• Termination of appointment• Stipend, grants and other benefits• Parochial and other fees• Expenses• Housing

(cont)

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Statement of Particulars

• MDR and CME• Leave• Sickness• Discipline, Grievance and Capability

Procedures(cont)

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Statement of Particulars

• Respondent in Employment Tribunal proceedings

• Informal support or conversation

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Role Description

An Interesting Area!• Will be an evolving document, important in

MDR• Some elements generic to all parish clergy• Some elements generic to incumbent and

‘equivalent’• Some elements specific to setting to aid

focus and protect against unreal expectations

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Role Description

What will it include?• Details of the post• Role purpose: general & specific• Key contacts• Role context• Benefice summary

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Role Description

How will they be drawn up?• In a vacancy, as part of the

benefice / parish profile process; archidiaconal input; reviewed 6 months in

• For current post holders … more in the autumn … invited to draft your ownwww.commontenure.org

Capability

• The aim is to improve performance and support clergy in the performance of their ministry

• Not about clergy discipline

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Grievance

• When issues are not dealt with fairly• Informal stage• 3 formal stages

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Timetable

• Spring – draft Statement of Particulars

• Summer – issue draft Statements

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Timetable

• Autumn – Role description workshops• Bishop Nigel will write to clergy on

freehold• October – MDR commences

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Timetable

CTS TO BE IMPLEMENTED FROM 31ST JANUARY 2011

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Clergy Terms of Service

Pause for questions

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Why Review?

• Concerns vocation• ‘Professional development’• A corporate task• Accountability

What form of review?

• Review distinct from appraisal• and distinct from spiritual direction• yet elements of both of these …

Reflecting on ministry: what has gone well, what has been difficult, what hopes and plans for the future

A three-year cycle of review

Who is reviewed and by whom?

• All licensed clergy, other than IME4-7 / ass. Curates (plus licensed Readers on different scheme)

• Annual review • A reviewer of your choice in years 1

& 2• Bishop or Archdeacon in third year• Strict confidentiality

Who are the reviewers?

Appointed by BishopsChosen for skills in listening, summarising

and assisting reflection and goal-settingAll are church members; many lay peopleAll (including Bishops) undergo training

and meet to share good practiceList of reviewers will be circulated

The three-year cycle

• First year: preparation form, interview– (option of ‘360-degree’ review)– summary and action plan drawn up– summary sent to Bishop; CME section to

CME Adviser

• Second year: meeting to review actions and goals, further short summary

• Third year: Episcopal Review

Experiencing MDR

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What is it like?

Arrangements for introducing MDR

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• Phased, commencing in October• Starting with clergy on Common Tenure who have not been reviewed recently• Clergy with Freehold will have Episcopal Review

More information

Diocesan website –

Admin > Policy > Clergy Terms of Service

or

www.commontenure.org