Welcome back!

Why do I need to subscribe to LMD?

Many ministers already do some of their own ministry development, which is a very good thing. What LMD provides in addition to this, is a pathway or structure for good professional development that:

• Encourages an objective review
• Creates a well thought through Ministry Development Plan
• Includes a supportive and accountable relationship
• Fosters good reflective practice
• And provides an acknowledgement for that development

All this within a well-developed and secure website.

Can I just contact providers and do my own development?

Yes, you can and any development is good. However, using LMD will provide a pathway or structure for good professional development including a good process that incorporates reflecting and applying your learning and a formal acknowledgement of that development. While you will use other providers and resources in your development following this process in the LMD site is actually an important part of your ministry development.

Can I use my MT&D email and password on the LMD website?

Yes, you can use the same email address but you will need a new password on the LMD site.

What is the minimum hours required in order to complete the LMD?

To be recognised as completing your LMD program, you need to complete (and record) 30 hours within the year. Of this, at least 10 hours must be classified as ‘peer consultation’ activity.

How many hours must I achieve for peer consultation and active learning?

At least 10 hours of your annual 30 hours must be ‘peer consultation’ activity.  The remainder is to be ‘active learning’, either focused on developing your own ministry or assisting others in developing theirs.

Can I go over the 10 hours of peer consultation?

Yes, you can do more than 10 hours of ‘peer consultation’. There is no limit to the maximum, however, we do recommend that you spend time seeking and providing input into your ministry development beyond the time spent reflecting within ‘peer consultation’ activities.

Are my hours transferrable to next year?

No, hours should be recorded in the year they were completed.

How many focus areas can I add?

When you’re creating your Ministry Development Plan (MDP), it’s good not to overwhelm yourself with too many focus areas. Two or three are helpful, with a variety of activities attached to each area.  If you have more than this, it might be difficult to keep track of them and to focus on them each.  Perhaps consider if some areas have higher priority than others and hold the other areas for a later year.

How many logged activities can I add?

You can add multiple activities for each focus area. Note all the ideas that come to mind and try to think broadly about how you might be able to grow in each area.  Keep the activities in your plan up to date – sometimes new ideas come to light after you’ve commenced your plan.

How descriptive do I need to be?

This plan is for you. Be as descriptive when recording your MDP focus areas and activities as you feel you need to be. In the ‘My Learnings’ section when logging completed activity, you are the only one who has access to this. Consider what you learnt from each activity and how you might be able to apply it.

Can I use other development providers not mentioned on the LMD site?

Yes, the providers mentioned are only to give you some ideas of who to contact. The key is finding a provider who can best help you address your development area(s) helpfully. If you find a helpful provider please let us know at MT&D and we can add them to our list.

What is the privacy policy?

MT&D has a strong commitment to maintaining the privacy of your personal information.  Disclosure of your personal information is limited to identifying you as a participant in the LMD process to a person who has pastoral responsibility for you.  Only you have access to your recorded learning in LMD and if you prefer, you may choose to record your personal learning on your personal computer instead of the LMD website.  For further information, please refer to the LMD Guidelines and the MT&D Privacy Policy.

When can I start paying for next year?

You can subscribe for LMD annually commencing from 1st October in the year prior.

When does payment for this year expire?

When you pay your subscription for a LMD year, you can create, add and amend your plan, activities and learnings throughout that year. The year closes at 31st December.

How is my LMD funded?

You will need to pay for your subscription when registering with LMD. Synod is requesting parishes to add a line item in their budget for professional development of their clergy. The amount will be determined by each parish and should be communicated to you. In addition to any amount provided by your parish you are able to use your MEA to help fund your development.

Has my payment gone through?

If you have not received a confirmation email detailing the payment then contact the Administrator by email for assistance – [email protected]

How do I get a Tax Invoice for my payment?

The details on your confirmation payment email may be sufficient for you to claim reimbursement from your parish or include in your MEA.  If a Tax Invoice is required contact the Administrator by email for assistance – [email protected]

How can I find an answer to a question that isn’t here?

Contact MT&D at: [email protected]