There are a number of opportunities for clergy to continue their ministerial education and development once they move on from Initial Ministerial Education (IME).
There are a number of opportunities for clergy to continue their ministerial education and development once they move on from IME.
Moving Forward Programme
This programme provides support for new clergy (SSM and stipendiary) in the first two years after completing IME Phase 2. Contact Mandy Coutts, Start of Ordained Ministries Adviser, for more information.
Archdeaconry and Diocesan events
These will notified to all licensed and PTO ministers via the Diocese of York’s fortnightly email The Journal, or by emails sent directly from the Lifelong Learning team.
External courses and training days
We encourage clergy to attend external courses such as those run by the Arthur Rank Centre on rural and multi-parish ministries, Leading Your Church into Growth, Church Army, CPAS and many others. CMD grants may be available on request to support this – see below.
Taking on other role
Some clergy are asked, or offer, their skills in areas such as mentoring, consultancy, teaching on diocesan courses, spiritual direction etc. These are a vital part of personal development as well as contributing to the development of others.
Continuing Ministerial Development (CMD) Grants
- The CMD Grant Panel
All applications for CMD, Advanced Study Leave and Extended Study Leave (sabbatical) funding grants are now administered through the Lifelong Learning Team’s CMD Grant Panel. The Panel currently comprises the Director of Lifelong Learning, the Director of Mission and Ministry, the CMD Adviser (when in post) and the Lifelong Learning Administrator.
The Panel meet on a quarterly basis to process applications. Applications for grants should be sent to the Lifelong Learning Administrator via training@yorkdiocese.org at least 7 days before the Panel meet. Following the Panel meeting the administrator will contact all applicants to communicate the outcomes of the meeting and to advise about next steps.
Applications should be made on the downloadable forms (available below) and, in the case of courses and events external to the Diocese, accompanied by supporting information.
2025 dates for CMD Grant Panel Meetings
A summary of the types of grant available is outlined below. Further details – including the application process – are available in the relevant Guidance documents and you are asked to read these before making an application.
CMD Grants
These are available to all licensed clergy who have completed IME Phase 2. CMD grants are centrally budgeted and approved by CMD Grant Panel. The fundamental criterion is whether making a grant will help broaden and deepen the ministry of the individual requesting it, in the light of consultation and reflection about their recognised learning needs. Grants may be used to develop ministry skills, to deepen faith, and to nourish spirituality. There will usually be an explicit connection between the use of CMD grants and the individual’s Ministerial Development Review.
Currently grants are allocated on a personal basis, administered over a three-year period (triennium). The triennium grant for 2024-2026 is £240 per annum, which can be used between January 2024 and December 2026. Ministers coming into the Diocese and those completing IME 2 receive a pro-rata grant for the remainder of the triennium.
Downloads
CMD PTO Grants
The CMD grant allocation described above is available only to licensed clergy. However, clergy who hold ‘Permission to Officiate’ in the Diocese can apply for discretionary minor grants up to a maximum of £100 per year, where the proposed training enhances their benefit to their ministerial context.
Downloads
IME Phase 2 Minor Grants
Curates in IME Phase 2 are not eligible for a CMD Grant until the 1st January after they have completed their training. If a curate, in conjunction with their training incumbent, identifies a need for training outside of the parish or IME 2 programme a minor grant of up to £100 may be available to help meet a clearly identified training need.
Downloads
Advanced Study Grants
Each year there are a limited number of grants available for those undertaking advanced study (which usually means studies at Post-Graduate Diploma, Masters or Doctoral level) where there will demonstrable benefit to both the individual and their current or future ministry for the Church.
Downloads
Extended Study Leave (sabbatical) Grants
The opportunity to devote time to a period of study or a personal project, which includes rest completely free from parish duties can be an enriching and affirming experience. It need not necessarily be for a long period, though a month would be the minimum for any real benefit.
For some, it may only prove possible when a person is between jobs, but it should be a period genuinely away from the demands of day-to-day work. At present clergy are encouraged to take a sabbatical of 3 months at a suitable point in their ministry. All clergy office holders in the diocese are eligible to apply for Extended Study Leave of 3 months every 10 years in ministry.
Downloads
Evaluation Forms
Miscellaneous Grants
Most application for funding towards continuing ministerial development will be made via the CMD, Advanced Study or Extended Study Leave grants application process and in accordance with that guidance. On occasions the request for funding will not meet the criteria for those grants, but the Diocese and/ or sponsoring bishop may still be willing to support the request.
Downloads