The information below is intended to support clergy engaged in Self-Supporting Ordained Ministry, as well as those who minister / work alongside them: stipendiary clergy, churchwardens, PCC members, etc.
There is also information for those who are exploring Self-Supporting Ordained Ministry, as a possible reponse to God's vocational call on their lives.
Is God Calling You?
Below is a brief Vocations Guide to Self-Supporting Ordained Ministry. Please do however refer to the webpage elsewhere on this site for more information about ministry:
Is God Calling You? - Diocese of Chester (anglican.org)
Vocations Guide to Self-Supporting Ordained Ministry - Updated March 2024
SSM Handbook
The SSM handbook below contains a wealth of information, advice and guidance to support SSMs and those who minister alongside them.
SSM Handbook - Updated August 2024
The template SSMs should use for their Ministry Agreement is below:
SSM Ministry Agreement Template - Updated March 2024
SSMs and Parish Vacancies
The guidance below details information and guidance SSMs, churchwardens and PCC members will find useful during the various stages of a parish vacancy.
SSMs and Parish Vacancies August 2024
Below is an editable version of the 'Supplementary Ministry (and Training) Agreement' for use during a vacancy:
Supplementary MA for use during a Vacancy August 2024
SSMs Holding Incumbent Level Appointments
The information in the booklet below is designed to support SSMs who are considering applying for an incumbent level post. It contains a wealth of information to support them through the process, as well as offering practical advice once the appointment has been made.
SSM Incumbent Level Appointments Guide - Updated March 2024
SSMs who hold an incumbent level appointment (eg as a Priest-in-Charge) should use the Memorandum of Understanding template below:
SSM Memorandum of Understanding - Updated March 2024
SSMs Moving to PTO
The information in the booklet is designed to assist SSMs (from 65 years of age) make decisions about retirement and whether they wish to apply for PTO
SSMs Moving to PTO Guide- Updated March 2024
All those in receipt of PTO who were previously SSM should use the Ministry Agreement template below:
SSM Ministry Agreement Template - Updated March 2024
Ministry Agreements
SSMs currently undergoing IME2 are not to use the template below, but should use the template found on the IME2 page https://www.chester.anglican.org/ministry/ime-phase-2/
Below is the Ministry Agreement template all licensed SSMs should use. This template should also be used by those in receipt of PTO, who were previously SSM:
SSM Ministry Agreement Template - Updated March 2024
For more information, advice, guidance or support about any of the above, or any other aspects of Self-Supporting Ordained Ministry, please get in touch with the Bishop's Adviser for Self Supporting Ordained Ministry via Church House 01928 643428 or lyndon.bannon@chester.anglican.org