MRG - Ministry Reflection Group

Aloha, and thank you for accepting (or praying about) being a part of the Ministry Reflection Group.  This is a requirement for me as I finish my masters. Below is a guideline for what is MRG and who will serve and what they will do in the MRG.   The second section below are the guidelines for the meeting of MRG.

The meeting requirement is once a month.   Please text me at (808) 741-6294 when on September is good to meet.


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Ministry Reflection Group

Committees of congregants who receive an intern’s ministry have been helpful in giving worthwhile feedback to students in Theological Field Education programs. St. Alban’s Institute conducted an intensiveresearch program among various American theological schools to test out the effectiveness of such committees in their supervision programs. They found when students and their Ministry Reflection Group (MRG) have worked together seriously and openly, students have greatly profited from the experience.

Purpose
The Ministry Reflection Group is a committee of four to five persons that the student enlists in the ministry setting to provide feedback during the ministry practicum. The persons receiving or directly observing the ministry are the most significant persons from whom the student can get feedback. The MRG provides the student structure for that feedback. The MRG group will symbolically hold up mirrors that will allow the students to see themselves in ministry.
The student must realize that the level of input from an MRG is dependent upon enlistment and training of the group. The student should explain to the MRG that their purpose is to give honest, constructive, andsometimes, difficult feedback concerning the student’s ministry. The student must authorize and give permission for this type of open feedback.

RoleThe MRG is an “ad hoc” group that is designed to give feedback and reflection – not direction. It has no authoritative function or decision-making power. It provides the structure to help people become partnerswith the student in every level of the ministry, calling, and career. It also gives the student’s Field Mentorand the Peer Reflection Group Leader (Professor) a mechanism to gain insight and accountability.

Requirements
The enlistment of the MRG will follow the guidelines below:

•   The student will enlist four to five members, schedule all monthly MRG meetings and provide MRG training for the group.
•   The student should not enlist admirers and/or supporters. Likewise, students should not enlist their greatest critic to win them over. Instead, enlist persons that will give direct, honest feedback.
•   Members should represent as many adult age groups within the ministry setting as possible.
•   Members should be ministry recipients (those the student leads or teaches) and/or ministry partners (those the student ministers along side). It is preferred that ministry partners not be persons on the
  church staff.
•   The MRG should include at least one male and one female for perspective.
•   The MRG should include at least one person that serves as a leader in the ministry setting.
•   If available, one member should be a supervisor in their vocation.
•   The student will enlist one member to be the MRG Recorder.
•   The MRG Recorder commits to summarizing the group discussion and will submit reports
  required by the syllabus due dates.
•   The MRG Recorder commits to participating in the midterm 270° Update Meeting.
   The MRG Recorder commits to participating in the on-campus 360° Evaluation Conference in the spring.

MRG members may not be:

•   A relative of the student
•   Another Gateway student

o Exception: A PhD, ThM or DMin Gateway student may serve as a Field Mentor for a Masters-level TFE student.

•   The same person as the student’s Field Mentor
•   The same person as the student’s Spiritual Formation Mentor
  
  The Responsibility

•   Students will meet with their MRG for one hour each month during each semester scheduled at regular intervals. Plan to meet at approximately the same time each month.
•   The MRG session MUST have at least three members present or the meeting must be rescheduled. Less than three MRG members present – no meeting.
•   Student bear the responsibility for each action and decision made, even if that action or decision results from discussion with the MRG.
•   Give the MRG permission to give you constructive criticism.
•   Each MRG meeting will provide approximately ten minutes with the student out of the room, which
  allows the group to discuss the student and ministry in private.
•   The student and the MRG must be sensitive and careful about confidences. The student should not
  present any material to the MRG that would violate a confidence. The MRG should demonstrate maturity and not discuss the consultation session and agenda outside the MRG meetings. All proceedings (information, discussion, comments, and completed evaluation forms) of the Ministry Reflection Group are to remain confidential.
•   The MRG will be represented during the 270° Feedback session during the Dec-Jan break.
•   The MRG will be represented during the final Evaluation Conference during the last few weeks of
  the final semester.
  
  Report Forms
  Students will receive directions in the TFE Report System and will direct their mentors in login procedure and the completion of reports.
  
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  MRG Meeting FormatThe following agenda is a suggested format only. The MRG may adjust the format as needed.
  
  1. Welcome and Opening Prayer: 5 minutes
  2. Introduce Agenda for the Month: 35 minutes
  
  • Aug-Sep - focus of discussion: MRG Orientation
  
  o Student gives the MRG an overview of their responsibilitieso Student shares focus of their ministryo Student gives MRG members a copy of Covenanto Student provides the professor’s email addresso MRG selects a leader for the monthly meetings: to submit monthly
  reports, attends 270 feedback meeting, and final evaluation conferenceo MRG discusses strengths, growing edges, and potential liabilities with
  student
  
  

  • Oct – focus of discussion: Caring
    o Studentdiscusseshowtheydemonstratedcaring
    o MRG discusses the caring aspect of ministry with student
  • Nov – focus of discussion: Communicating
    o Student discusses how they communicate
    o MRG discusses how the student’s communication skills are received
  • Dec-Jan – 270 Feedback Meeting (only the MRG leader will attend)
    o MRG leader attends the 270 Feedback Meeting
  • Feb – focus of discussion: Leading
    o Student describes their leadership style
    o MRG discusses how the student’s leadership style is received
  • Mar – focus of discussion: Relating
    o Student describes difficulties in relating to certain people
    o MRG discusses overcoming relational obstacles
  • Apr– focus of discussion: Final Evaluation
    o Student debriefs the year in ministry
    o MRG evaluates the students year in ministry
    
    3. Student leaves the room to allow MRG to discuss any issues: 10 minutes
    4. Student returns to listen to feedback from the MRG: 10 minutes
    5. Closing Prayer
    6. After the meeting, the MRG leader will log into www.ggtfe.org and fill out the report
    for the meeting.
    If you have questions, contact the professor of the class.