The Vestry Charge to the Search Committee of

Grace Church

June 7, 2007

Since the resignation of our rector, Grace Church is now in a transition period as we await the call of a new rector. This period is a time of self‑study in order to understand ourselves better: our goals, our needs, our priorities, and our vision for the future. With this knowledge, we will search for and identify through discernment a priest who will lead us in achieving these goals and who will join us in our ministries. The Vestry charges the Search Committee with the responsibility to accomplish this task. The Search Committee with the aid of a Consultant will plan and carry out the search for a new rector by including these elements in the process:

Develop a Profile:

Parish Portion

The search committee will develop a parish profile so that the candidates can learn about our parish and so that we will have a clear picture of who we are. The committee will develop procedures for conducting a congregational study that provides the opportunity for the entire parish to participate in the exploration of the parish’s needs, goals, and priorities. Data and demographics will, also, be gathered concerning the community in order to show the kind of setting in which we exist and in which we minister. 

After the data is gathered and analyzed, a narrative profile will be written and submitted to the Vestry for approval. The profile will reflect the parish history, make up and demographics as well as our goals, priorities, strengths and weaknesses, and leadership needs. 

Following the approval of the Vestry, the committee will publish the profile for the congregation and for prospective candidates.  This is often done on a CD and posted on a parish website.  “Hard” copies should be available for candidates and the parish as well. 

Clergy Leadership Portion

When the Parish Profile is completed, the committee will determine what leadership experiences, qualities, and skills are needed in a priest to help us achieve the goals set forth in the profile. This information will be used to complete the “Clergy Leadership Profile” form for submission to the Church Deployment Office through the Diocesan Transition Ministry Office. The completed form will be shared with the Vestry before submitting to the Diocesan Transition Ministry Office.

Interview Candidates 

The committee will develop a plan for screening and interviewing candidates. This may include questions that the candidates respond to in writing and questions for telephone interviews in order to narrow the field to those who will be interviewed in person. A set of interview questions will also be developed for the face to face interviews and a record of the responses kept.  Interview training will be conducted by a member of the Diocesan Consulting Team.

Visit prospective clergy as they conduct a Eucharist 

After preliminary screening and narrowing of the candidate field to those who are seriously being considered, the committee will visit each of the priests in a church setting to hear him/her preach and celebrate the Eucharist.

Scope of the search

The Search Committee will conduct a National Search. 

Keep the Candidates Informed 

The committee will conduct all correspondence with candidates in a confidential manner. All candidates initially contacted will be kept abreast of their status in the search and the timetable of the process.

Keep the Vestry and Congregation Informed

The committee will make monthly reports which include budgetary information to the Vestry and at least monthly reports to the congregation on the progress of the search. These reports will be submitted for publication in Grace Notes and the Bulletin. A member of the Search Committee will also attend the parish quarterly meeting to update the parish and answer questions. These reports and information will not include the names or any other specifics of any candidate under consideration.

A list of all Search Committee members and their contact information will be published in Grace Notes and available on the website.

Present Candidates to the Vestry           

The search committee will present one candidate to the Vestry. The presentation will include an evaluation of the candidate’s strengths and weaknesses and his/her compatibility with the Parish Profile.

The work of the Search Committee

-The Search Committee will work within a budget of $18,000 for research and profile development, as well as visiting prospective rectors and their visit (with significant other) to Grace Church and finally moving costs for the new rector . The Search Committee will submit a budget for approval from the Vestry. Any significant changes to the budget will be presented to the Vestry for approval.

-The Search Committee will keep all communications about potential candidates and committee discussions in strict confidentiality out of respect for fellow committee members, candidates and the candidate’s congregations.

-The Search Committee will appoint a person(s) of prayer (Chaplain) to guide the spiritual life of the Committee and hold them accountable for listening to the voice of God in discernment.

-The Search Committee will appoint ad hoc committees of parishioners as needed.