I received an interesting email this week. It was from the Diocesan Office and said:
Your Quinquennial is due this year and I would like to arrange for the Surveyor to visit you on Thursday 6 October at 10 a.m. to carry out the Quinquennial.
Please would you kindly let me know if this is convenient, if not would you let me know what dates and times after that date would be more suitable.
A quinquennial is a five year check. Of course I wrote back immediately and asked if the surveyor would be doing the house at the same time, which was confirmed. But wouldn't it be brilliant if all clergy were required to undergo a thorough five year assessment to see if we were still fit for purpose and what cracks have appeared that need fixing?
8 comments:
Interesting that your diocese arranges this for you. I think I am correct in saying that our PCC had to appoint its own architect to undertake the Quinquennial Inspection of the church.
Steve may be referring to a quinquennial on his house
Does 'wouldn't it be brilliant' imply you would like this assessment? Would you like it to consist of comprehensive peer appraisal, 360' multi-source feedback or 1 week in-depth psychotherapy? I wonder if we would have any vicars left. Maybe those that were would have little understanding about living a credible christian life in the face of adversity. I believe my vicar is 'fit for purpose' but have no doubt that he has cracks that need fixing. Our job is to support, pray and love him anyway. I wouldn't swap him for perfection - because if I did I doubt he would understand me.
I think a peer appraisal and multi-source feedback every five years for vicars would be a very good idea. The rest of us have to have one every year in our jobs, so why should vicars get away with it?
I'm sure most people don't expect perfection from their employees or employers, and would certainly consider them 'fit for purpose' as long as they weren't negligent or guilty of misconduct. Why should God (or the Church) put up with anything less?
Perhaps the Church would have a better reputation if fewer blind eyes were turned to the ineffectual, unethical or downright unpleasant?
Sorry, my bitterness is showing, you should probably ignore me...
"There is a crack in everything,
That's how the light gets in."
Leonard Cohen, Anthem
I am always amazed how some of the tongue-in-cheek posts generate real discussion. If anyone cares I have an annual appraisal for which I obtain 360 degree input. I enjoy it and take it seriously.
I just had my 'Bishops Staff Review' with the Archdeacon, somethign which happens every other year. I was hoping it would be a full service and MOT, but ended up with a list of questions I wished I had been asked: about the state of my prayer life and walk with God, whether I was growing as a Christian, what character/integrity/sin issues I was facing etc. The CofE is very shy of accountability.
My goodness, if you enjoy your annual appraisal and 360 degree feedback it sounds as if you may be in the right job! I nearly always hated mine. That's the appraisal, not the job. Or is it?
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