SPRC Assessment of Elder/Local Pastor/DSA (2026) Michigan Conference of The United Methodist Church 1Pastor Information2A. Ministry of Word: Preaching & Teaching3B. Ministry of Order: Leadership & Equipping of Laity4C. Ministries of Sacrament and Pastoral Care5D. Ministry of Mission and Service6E. Interpersonal and Relational Skills7F. Personal Spiritual Formation & Self Care8G. Connectionalism / Stewardship9Strengths & Growth10Continuing Education11Signatures 2026 — MICHIGAN CONFERENCE OF THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCHNote: The areas and tasks listed below represent expectations applicable to full-time clergy. If your pastor is less than full-time, please note expectations are reduced accordingly.Completed form due electronically in the District Office as directed. DS reads the form, responds personally regarding significant information, considers the responses before engaging in the DS/SPRC meeting. Form is kept in supervisory file. Used as a resource for appointment-making.INSTRUCTIONS: After careful reading of the descriptions, note areas of excellence and areas where improvement is needed. Use “E” for excellent, “A” for adequate, “I” for improvement needed, or “N/A” if an item does not apply. Areas marked with “I” should be addressed on the Joint Dialogue and Goal Setting Form.Charge(Required)Pastor(Required)District(Required) A. Ministry of Word: Preaching & Teaching1. Sermons reflect careful preparation that is prayerful and complete. E – Excellent A – Adequate I – Improvement Needed N/A 2. Sermons teach Christian discipleship that is relevant to daily living. E – Excellent A – Adequate I – Improvement Needed N/A 3. Sermons have a balance of good news and a challenging call to discipleship. E – Excellent A – Adequate I – Improvement Needed N/A 4. Sermons and Worship have an appropriate level of passion. E – Excellent A – Adequate I – Improvement Needed N/A 5. Worship creates opportunities for people to experience or connect with God. E – Excellent A – Adequate I – Improvement Needed N/A 6. Shares leadership roles in worship with lay servants, speakers, and the laity in general. E – Excellent A – Adequate I – Improvement Needed N/A 7. Communicates clearly and effectively in both written and spoken forms. E – Excellent A – Adequate I – Improvement Needed N/A 8. Supports Christian Education needs of all age groups and personally leads Bible studies. E – Excellent A – Adequate I – Improvement Needed N/A Comments – A B. Ministry of Order: Leadership & Equipping of Laity1. Demonstrates effective leadership and overall administration of the church. E – Excellent A – Adequate I – Improvement Needed N/A 2. Demonstrates effective and appropriate leadership of staff. (Where applicable) E – Excellent A – Adequate I – Improvement Needed N/A 3. Actively encourages and fosters a culture of shared ministry with the laity. E – Excellent A – Adequate I – Improvement Needed N/A 4. Encourages laity to develop and use their spiritual gifts for ministry and leadership. E – Excellent A – Adequate I – Improvement Needed N/A 5. Regularly offers Confirmation & Membership Classes for youth and adults. E – Excellent A – Adequate I – Improvement Needed N/A 6. Is intentional in developing and inviting newer members into leadership positions. E – Excellent A – Adequate I – Improvement Needed N/A 7. Regularly encourages laity to consider where God may be calling them into ministry. E – Excellent A – Adequate I – Improvement Needed N/A 8. Actively encourages laity to participate in District and Conference events. E – Excellent A – Adequate I – Improvement Needed N/A Comments – B C. Ministries of Sacrament and Pastoral Care1. Provides regular opportunities to participate in Holy Communion during worship. E – Excellent A – Adequate I – Improvement Needed N/A 2. Clearly communicates that all are welcome to participate in Holy Communion. E – Excellent A – Adequate I – Improvement Needed N/A 3. Ensures that shut-ins and those in nursing homes receive communion on a regular basis. E – Excellent A – Adequate I – Improvement Needed N/A 4. Encourages parents to have children baptized and takes time to prepare them. E – Excellent A – Adequate I – Improvement Needed N/A 5. Invites all members of the community to remember/renew their baptismal covenant. E – Excellent A – Adequate I – Improvement Needed N/A 6. Regularly visits shut-ins and the hospitalized and encourages laity to do so as well. E – Excellent A – Adequate I – Improvement Needed N/A 7. Offers opportunities for healing prayer in worship and other appropriate times/settings. E – Excellent A – Adequate I – Improvement Needed N/A 8. Provides pre-marital and marriage counseling to those who are engaged or married. E – Excellent A – Adequate I – Improvement Needed N/A 9. Takes time with families in preparing funerals and does follow up visitation afterwards. E – Excellent A – Adequate I – Improvement Needed N/A Comments – C D. Ministry of Mission and Service1. Regularly lifts up and encourages participation in mission and service opportunities. E – Excellent A – Adequate I – Improvement Needed N/A 2. Personally participates in mission and service in the local church and the community. E – Excellent A – Adequate I – Improvement Needed N/A 3. Challenges members to share Christ in practical ways in the wider community. E – Excellent A – Adequate I – Improvement Needed N/A 4. Is present at fellowship gatherings and activities of the church. E – Excellent A – Adequate I – Improvement Needed N/A 5. Is personally visible and active in the local community seeking to build relationships. E – Excellent A – Adequate I – Improvement Needed N/A Comments – D E. Interpersonal and Relational Skills1. Is available and approachable. E – Excellent A – Adequate I – Improvement Needed N/A 2. Is trustworthy, confidential, and non-judgmental. E – Excellent A – Adequate I – Improvement Needed N/A 3. Is even-tempered. E – Excellent A – Adequate I – Improvement Needed N/A 4. Is a “non-anxious presence” (able to be calm in the moment) in meetings and one on one. E – Excellent A – Adequate I – Improvement Needed N/A 5. Works at building and strengthening relationships with others. E – Excellent A – Adequate I – Improvement Needed N/A 6. Is open to feedback and takes critique well. E – Excellent A – Adequate I – Improvement Needed N/A 7. Is able to communicate in honest and caring ways. E – Excellent A – Adequate I – Improvement Needed N/A 8. Deals appropriately with those who have authority and oversight of her/his ministry (D.S., Board of Ordained Ministry, SPRC). E – Excellent A – Adequate I – Improvement Needed N/A Comments – E F. Personal Spiritual Formation & Self Care1. Demonstrates evidence of a consistent personal devotional life. E – Excellent A – Adequate I – Improvement Needed N/A 2. Lifts up accountable discipleship and spiritual formation as a priority for all people. E – Excellent A – Adequate I – Improvement Needed N/A 3. Demonstrates integrity; actions and behaviors that reflect stated beliefs. E – Excellent A – Adequate I – Improvement Needed N/A 4. Participates in continuing professional education and study for ministry (please indicate specifics in comment box below). E – Excellent A – Adequate I – Improvement Needed N/A 5. Is involved in a peer group for learning, accountability, mentoring, and support. E – Excellent A – Adequate I – Improvement Needed N/A 6. Is attentive to regular self-care of body, mind, and spirit. E – Excellent A – Adequate I – Improvement Needed N/A 7. Demonstrates a balanced personal and family life outside of church and ministry. E – Excellent A – Adequate I – Improvement Needed N/A 8. Takes personal Sabbath time, days off, and all four weeks of vacation. E – Excellent A – Adequate I – Improvement Needed N/A Comments – F G. Connectionalism / Stewardship1. Supports and invites participation in District and Conference Events: i.e. Camping, Emmaus, District Leadership Training, etc. E – Excellent A – Adequate I – Improvement Needed N/A 2. Serves in District and Conference leadership: mentoring, Boards/Agencies, connectional responsibilities, etc. (List below Committees/Boards on which Pastor serves). E – Excellent A – Adequate I – Improvement Needed N/A 3. Promotes and encourages participation in Special Sunday offerings (UMCOR Sunday, etc.). E – Excellent A – Adequate I – Improvement Needed N/A 4. Personally tithes and encourages tithing and proportional giving as a Spiritual principle. E – Excellent A – Adequate I – Improvement Needed N/A 5. Is aware of and uses resources and programs that effectively develop a healthy and growing climate of stewardship in the church. E – Excellent A – Adequate I – Improvement Needed N/A 6. Provides clear leadership in helping the congregation fully participate and celebrate the connectional work accomplished through Ministry Shares. E – Excellent A – Adequate I – Improvement Needed N/A Comments – G District and Conference LeadershipList Committees/Boards on which the Pastor serves.After reviewing the responses given above, please identify the strengths and growth areas which may have the most impact in your current ministry setting:H. Pastoral StrengthsStrength 1Strength 2Strength 3I. Areas Needing Intentional Growth/ImprovementGrowth Area 1Growth Area 2Growth Area 3 J. Continuing EducationList trainings, seminars, courses taken in the past year:What reading have you completed in the past year related to your work?Are you current with Anti-Bias/Anti-Racism work? YES NO Are you current with the Clergy Ethics Training? YES NO Have you signed the Guidelines for Our Life Together covenant? YES NO Continuing Education plans to address growth areas and enhance strengths:Any other information you would like to share? SignaturesType your full name below as your electronic signature.Pastor Signature (type full name)(Required)Pastor Signature Date SPRC Chair Signature (type full name)(Required)SPRC Chair Signature Date Δ