MDR for Archdeacons

The MDR provides a structured conversation to help archdeacons reflect on their ministry over the past 12-18 months.
It looks ahead with clarity and purpose.
It offers space to celebrate successes, acknowledge challenges, and identify future priorities.

MDR is based on the understanding that ministers are accountable to God, the Church, and one another for their ministry. Through reflection, affirmation, support, and challenge, ministers are encouraged to continue growing in their vocation.

Key themes:

Support
Accountability
Encouragement
Learning
Development

Revisiting Ordinations Promises

The MDR seeks to encourage ministers to revisit the promises made at ordination to “be diligent in prayer, to study the Holy Scriptures, and to equip yourself for ministry in the Church” and to reflect on the relevance of these promises in their current ministerial practice and context. It will be carried out not less than every eighteen months and is designed to encourage:

an ongoing process of reflection and learning based on support, scrutiny, affirmation, and accountability
a culture of life-long learning and ministerial development
reflection on ministerial practice
the setting of challenging, yet achievable, objectives

Information about the MDR

The MDR for Archdeacons booklet explains the process clearly and gives a step-by-step guide to the process. Please read the booklet carefully below

The forms necessary for the MDR are can be found below.

MDR for Archdeacons

Booklets and Forms

The Review Form

Section 1

This section comprises a set of common questions which are to be answered by every minister across the Church in Wales, under the following headings:

Prayer life
Engagement with Scripture, study, and learning
Welfare and well-being
Safeguarding
Vocation in the Church

There are further questions which are relevant to the archdeacon’s individual vision, strategy, and context under the following heading:

Ministry in the Church

Section 2

A summary of the conversation held at the Review Meeting around each set of questions should be agreed between the archdeacon and the reviewer and recorded in section 2.

Section 3

A record of any goals and objectives agreed for the future should be noted in section 3.

Section 4

Both reviewer and minister should:

sign and date the form, preferably before the Review Meeting ends. This may be done electronically.
A copy of this Review Form is to be given to the archdeacon being reviewed at the time of the meeting or, failing that, no less than 1 week later. This should be in electronic format (via email).
The reviewer must submit copies of: Sections 2, 3, and 4 to both the archdeacon and to the archdeacon’s diocesan bishop, so they can be kept in the archdeacon’s personal file in the bishop’s office. Section 1 is not normally retained without the express permission of the reviewee.

The MDR Process

Step 1 - Setting a date for the review meeting

It is the responsibility of the archdeacon to initiate their MDR.
The archdeacon and the reviewer will agree a date for the review and the archdeacon will complete the reviewer form (see appendix 1).
If at all possible, the review should take place in person.

Step 2 - Preparation for the review meeting

At least one month before the meeting, reflect on the questions in Section 1 of the MDR form and add your notes where indicated.

Send the completed Section 1 form to your reviewer at least 10 days before the meeting, together with:

Your job description
Information about the diocesan vision

This gives your reviewer enough time to prepare for the discussion.

Alternatively, an even more concise version:

A: Complete Section 1 of the MDR form and send it to your reviewer at least 10 days before the meeting, along with your job description and information about the diocesan vision. You should begin preparing and reflecting on the questions around one month before the review meeting.

Step 3 - At the review meeting

The review meeting normally lasts around two hours.

During the meeting:

A brief summary of the discussion should be agreed by both the archdeacon and the reviewer and recorded in Section 2 of the review form.
The summary does not need to include every topic discussed.
It should provide an accurate reflection of the main points covered during the conversation.
Any agreed goals, objectives, or actions should be recorded in Section 3.
Before the meeting ends, both the archdeacon and reviewer should:
- Sign and date Section 4 of the review form.
- Record any areas of disagreement, if applicable.

Step 5 - Following the review meeting

The reviewer must submit copies of Sections 2, 3, and 4 to both the archdeacon and to the archdeacon’s diocesan bishop, so they can be kept in the archdeacon’s personal file in the bishop’s office.
Section 1 is not normally retained without the express permission of the reviewee.

Training for Reviewers

Reviewers play an important role in the Ministerial Development Review (MDR) process. To support this responsibility, the Church in Wales provides a series of training tutorials that can be accessed at any time.

Please note:

Some tutorials refer to priests or clerics rather than archdeacons. The guidance is equally relevant for those reviewing archdeacons.
These tutorials cover the MDR process in Wales generally.
For details specific to the review of Welsh archdeacons, please refer to the MDR for Archdeacons booklet.

Training Tutorials
Access the tutorials below to help develop the skills and knowledge needed for your role as a reviewer.