The discernment process is made up of a number of steps. The first step is the formation of a Search Committee. Next is the communication process which will let you know where we stand during the overall Discernment Process. Third is the development of a Parish Profile. Next is a Parish Search request, followed by the initial screening of candidates. Step 6 will be the interim screening of candidates, followed by the final screening of candidates. Step 8 will consist of the Vestry screening hopefully followed by the successful candidate’s acceptance. That's 9 steps associated with the process.
Step 1 is the process of putting a search committee together. This process began a few months ago when the Vestry asked me to serve as the chairperson for the Discernment Process. The vestry then worked on developing criteria to determine a comprehensive representation of All Saints' members.
After the criteria were established during ones of the Vestry meetings,we arrived at a list of potential candidates to ask if they would like to serve on the search committee. The committee will consist of a mixture of vestry and non-Vestry members, and 2 members from the Youth Groups. We have identified a list of candidates that have been asked or will be asked shortly if they would like to serve on the committee. I hope to have the committee finalized by the end of June.
Steps 2 and 3 consist of the communication and the Parish Profile. While communication is an ongoing process rather than a step, I have included it as a step because of its importance to the overall process. The goal is to provide constant communication regarding the Discernment Process. If you find that you are still in the dark about things as we go through the process, let me know and I will try and improve our communication. The Parish Profile describes who we are as a Parish. It provides an outsider a little insight into All Saints' and indicates what we are looking for in a new rector. The end product of the Parish Profile is a booklet. To get there we will need to talk with members of All Saints', develop a survey, collect the results of the survey and interpret the information to accurately reflect what All Saints' is looking for in it's next rector.
After the Parish Profile has been completed we are ready to start looking at potential candidates. We will notify the diocese that we have completed our profile and request that we start receiving resumes. At this point it is difficult to tell what we will initially receive and how long this stage of the process may last.
Steps 6 and 7 consist of the Interim Screening and Final Screening process. The interim process will result in All Saints creating a short list of candidates that we wish to continue the process with. This list will probably consist of 4 to 6 candidates. A sub-section of the Search committee will visit the prospective candidate and attend a service that they are presiding over. This smaller group will then provide feedback to the Search committee regarding their overall impression of the candidate. After visiting each of the candidates we will narrow the choice down to 1 candidate.
After the search committee has made its recommendation to the Vestry, the candidate will visit All Saints' and meet with the vestry. There may be a series of interviews and meetings. The vestry will then vote to accept or reject the candidate to become All Saints' next rector. Assuming the vestry approves of the candidate, our decision is communicated to the bishop to receive his or her consent. At this point the vestry would contact the candidate who would then hopefully accept All Saint's call to be our next rector.
