Below are seven steps to focal ministry in your parish.
| Stage | Description |
| 1. Exploration | The PCC and leadership within the parish decide if now is the time to explore Focal Ministry. Help may be sought in this from the Associate Archdeacons, the Resourcing Mission & Ministry Team and the Warden of Focal Ministers. |
| 2. Nomination | Potential Focal Ministers are identified and encouraged to consider the core characteristics and role of a Focal Minister. The potential Focal Minister explores their calling with family and friends and decides whether they are willing to be nominated. PCCs formally nominate their potential Focal Ministers and submit the nomination form to the Warden of Focal Ministers. |
| 3. Discernment Conversation | Potential Focal Ministers will meet individually with the Warden of Focal Ministers for a discernment conversation. This is not an interview, but rather, a prayerful and careful discernment of the way forward. The outcome of this may be ‘yes’, ‘not yet’ or suggesting a different ministry. |
| 4. Safer Recruitment | PCCs ensure that the potential Focal Minister has been safely recruited to the role. This includes taking up two external references, an enhanced DBS check and undertaking the necessary safeguarding training. See flowchart below for more information safer recruitment for PCCs and Parish Safeguarding Officers. |
| 5. Getting Ready | Focal Ministers and Oversight Ministers work through the induction programme, Getting Ready, to prepare together for this new way of working. This is three sessions of 90mins, delivered in parish by a trainer. The Focal Minister and Oversight Minister will complete a Ministry Agreement. |
| 6. Authorisation and Commissioning | On completion Focal Ministers will receive a certificate of authorisation from the Bishop and be commissioned in a service in their local church. |
| 7. Review and Reauthorisation | Focal Ministers are expected to reflect on their ministry and take part in ongoing learning and equipping which will be reviewed regularly with their Oversight Minister, with support from others. They have annual reviews with their Oversight Minister and will need to be reauthorised every three years. |
