“Will you be diligent in prayer, in reading Holy Scripture, and in all studies that will deepen your faith and fit you to bear witness to the truth of the gospel?”
At their ordination or admission, all clergy and licensed lay ministers (LLM) make the same commitment to lifelong learning. The Diocese of Hereford supports the continuing ministerial development (CMD) of all its licenced clergy (stipendiary and self-supporting) and LLMs by offering:
· Bishop’s Teaching Days
· Initial Ministerial Training (2) for curates
· Learning Opportunities in times of transition
· Short and extended Ministerial Development Leave
· Continuing Ministerial Development grants (£280 in 2025)
· Workshops and events on vocational and practical aspects of ministry
The Ministry Development Officer, Mark Godson, is available to support clergy and LLMs in identifying development and learning needs including those highlighted by Ministerial Development Review.
The Diocese of Hereford is part of the West Midlands CMD Partnership with Coventry, Gloucester, Lichfield and Worcester with Derby. A range of courses is on offer, see here for details: https://www.westmidlandscmd.org/
Retreats are not funded by the CMD grants and should be included in parish working expenses.
CMD Allowance
The Diocese provides an allowance (currently £280 per year) for all licenced clergy as a contribution towards the cost of learning and development opportunities. For further information or to make an application please contact Revd Mark Godson
Download an Application Form (Word Doc)
Link to external sources of grants for CMD
Study Leave Grant
Those undertaking Study Leave can apply for a grant of £600 towards the costs involved. (CMD Grant can be added to this – raising the total to a maximum of £880)
The flourishing and well-being of ordained and licensed ministers is fundamental to the life and mission of our Diocese, and the bishop and archdeacons place high value on it. The senior staff encourage and expect clergy to take time for renewal, refreshment and re-creation.
Ministry Development Leave comes in two forms: a shorter period of a month (MDL), or an extended period of three months (EMDL/Sabbatical).
The suggestion of a period of MDL or EMDL might be raised during a ministerial development review or in conversation with a spiritual director, pastoral supervisor, or mentor. Please approach your archdeacon in the first instance.
EMDL – formerly known as a Sabbatical
Licensed clergy and Licensed Lay Ministers in the diocese are encouraged to take a three-month period of EMDL for every ten years of ministry. This sustained period away from normal duties promotes professional development and personal enrichment. EMDL will normally consist of three elements:
Renewal - personal and ministerial development that will normally take the greatest part of the three months. It will involve some element of learning and theological reflection.
Retreat - time set aside for your relationship with God. For many this will mean an organised retreat.
Rest - the biblical pattern of Sabbath places rest at the heart of life lived with God. The three months will include some time for rest and refreshment.
There are 6 EMDL places available each year. Applications for 2026 are now being considered.
If you would like to download any of the standard documents about Study Leave, then please right-click on one of the links below, and select 'Save Target As...' You will then be able to save each document to your computer.
The Diocese makes a grant of £600 for authorised Study Leave. Further funds can be sought from grant-making bodies. Below are some that make grants for clergy study leave/sabbaticals. (click on the links below to their web information on grants)
- Sons of the Clergy
- The Cleaver Fund
- Saint Georges Trust
- St Boniface Trust
- Ecclesiastical Ministry Bursary Awards
- Some Grant Making Bodies and Sources of Funding (This comes from the Lichfield CME Office but may still be useful.)