Ministry Reviews

After talking with pastors and reviewing the findings of the Church Worker Wellbeing surveys, the College of Bishops, working with the Church Worker Support team, has developed a Congregational Ministry Review Framework to implement and support a process of regular ministry review at a congregational or parish level.

We know that the relationship between pastor and congregation is a sacred relationship in which both parties make covenants with each other. Taking time to examine these together as part of a ministry review will further enable affirmation of these mutual covenants and encourage and facilitate mutual ongoing support.

There are also a growing number of congregations without a pastor, either short term as they work through the call process or long term. This has been taken into account in providing an appropriate resource for reviewing their mission and ministry.

The LCA Review Framework is designed to provide a set of review tools that can be used in various congregational settings by congregations and districts of the LCA.

The three components of this framework are:

1. Annual Congregational Ministry Review for congregations with a pastor –
   an internal review process
   All necessary information and forms for this review are available for download here. Completed review forms can also be lodged here.
2. Annual Congregational Ministry Review for congregations without a pastor –
   an internal review process
   All necessary information and forms for this review are available for download here. Completed review forms can also be lodged here.
3. Major Congregational Ministry Review – an external three to five yearly in-depth review facilitated by the district bishop or their nominee
   District bishops will exercise good judgement and discretion in deciding which pastors and congregations under their care might benefit from a Major Congregational Ministry Review. They will then contact the congregations and facilitate the review or nominate an appropriate facilitator. Alternatively, congregations can contact their district bishop and request that they be considered for a major review. The district bishop will facilitate the review or nominate an appropriate facilitator.

Congregations, pastors and leadership teams are invited to use the framework documents and work through the relevant Annual Congregational Ministry Review process using the available forms. Completed review forms should be submitted by 31 August each year as part of the process.

Your completion of the feedback form on the review process at this time is also appreciated to facilitate continuous improvement.

Please contact us if you have any queries or concerns.