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Continuing Ministry Formation

A Guide for Sessions/Parish Councils

Continuing Ministry Formation exists to enhance ministry in your parish.

The purpose of Continuing Ministry Formation is:

to maintain a vital and educated ministry to resource the mission of the church.

CMF offers two ways of achieving this:

  • encouraging Ministers to attend Short Term Courses that will enhance their ministry and allow them to network with others.
  • encouraging Ministers to take Study Leave which will give time away from their routines for refreshment, reflection and focused study.

The full regulations concerning CMF can be found in the Book of Order, Appendix E 17, 2.2, 2.3. The regulations set out the requirements for both Study Leave and Short Term Courses.

A: Study Leave

What is Study Leave ?

  • It is a planned and approved programme of learning with clear, specific goals; it is not to be regarded as a holiday.
  • Study Leave covers a wide range of options from major overseas training programmes through to shorter study courses and retreats available regionally or locally.
  • Study Leave entitlement is accumulated at the rate of one day for each month of consecutive service.
  • Study Leave may accumulate to a maximum of 12 weeks but may be used for shorter periods of time.
  • Accumulated Study Leave is transferable from one parish or appointment to another.

How does a Minister take Study Leave?

Initiative to take Study Leave rests with the Minister, however, it should be encouraged by the parish and may, in fact, be recommended by the Presbytery.

In consultation with Session or Parish Council the Minister applies to Presbytery giving goals, details of the study to be undertaken, where it is to be undertaken and details of supervision.

Ministers are expected to meet the costs of Study Leave themselves - however, some financial assistance maybe available on application from PSDS New Vision Foundation, Bill and Margaret Best Travel Fund or other sources.

During the period of Study Leave the current stipend and other allowances continue to be paid.

What results from Study Leave?

Opportunity for the Minister to share feedback within his/her parish and Presbytery.

A Study Leave Report is to be submitted to the Presbytery / UDC.

This should include a resume of where the Study Leave was taken, details of courses and study done and information that might help others organising Study Leave. It should also include the goals of the leave, a summary of the learnings made and comment on the usefulness of the leave to the Minister and the church.

B: Short Term Courses

Ministers are encouraged to take advantage of the wide variety of short term courses and learning opportunities available through the churches, Christian organisations and the wider community.

These courses and learning opportunities can vary from a half day up to a week in length. (this is not considered Study Leave)

How does it work?

Ministers attending courses should keep a record of each event he/she attends and at the end of each year present to the Ministry Committee (or equivalent) of the Presbytery /UDC the following:

  • Dates and times of the course.
  • The name of the course with a brief statement concerning its relevance to ministry formation.
  • The number of points the Minister is applying for.

Presbytery will then approve the points for each year.

Can the Parish Council/Session suggest courses to the Minister?

Yes, this can be very helpful, if you are aware of courses that would help your Minister.

Is the Parish Council/Session expected to meet costs involved ?

There is provision for limited contribution for travel and accommodation - the appropriate rate can be found by consulting with your Mission Resource Team Co Director.

What are CMF points?

Ministers are credited with CMF points by the Presbytery at the rate of one point for every 4hours attendance at a short term course, or one point for every day spent on study leave. Ministers are expected to gain a minimum of 70 points in 7 years.

Further Sources of information and advice

Published by the Continuing Ministry Formation Workgroup May, 2000