Mutual Ministry Review comments

Last night the Bishop's Committee held our annual Mutual Ministry Review. The purpose of the MMR is to assess how the Vicar, Bishop's Committee, and Wardens have accomplished the goals they set, to set new goals, identify special areas that need attention, and celebrate the joys and successes of ministry together.

Sue Clary, a trained facilitator, helped us with our MMR. First she asked for our reactions to the MMR survey. Although the survey contained many positive comments, we inevitably focused on the few negative comments. Some of us felt hurt and were understandably defensive.

Sue pointed out that our survey questions didn't match our goals, that is, they didn't tell us how well we've done in  comparison with the goals we set for ourselves. She suggested that next year we set more general goals.

Sue also pointed out that we on the BC have set ourselves up for failure by taking responsibility for all aspects  of parish life. She suggested that we limit our responsibility to the basic role of the BC: finance and property matters; support of parish initiatives, and support of the Vicar.

She also noted that many parishes do not take an all-parish survey for the MMR, and she suggested that next year we might want to do an MMR with just the BC or with the BC and the leadership circle of the parish.

I think we all came away with a better understanding of our parish and our role as members of the BC. I'm grateful for Sue's leadership with the MMR.