Download a PDF of the Parish Profile here.

Calling a Rector in the Diocese of San Diego

Ever wondered about the process of searching for a new rector? Well, since St. Dunstan's is in the midst of that very process, here's how it works:

The information below was presented by Canon Jenny Vervynck in three "Calling Process" workshops held at St. Dunstan's in July. Canon Jenny's PowerPoint presentation is available here for download: Calling a Rector in the Diocese of San Diego.ppt

VESTRY MANDATES TO THE CALLING COMMITTEE

• Use the guidance and training of the Diocesan Deployment Officer throughout the process.
• Maintain open communications throughout the process with Vestry, congregation, Bishop and candidates.
• Develop a parish profile to describe our parish, our goals, and special responsibilities of our next Rector.
• Screen and evaluate candidates for Rector.

CALLING COMMITTEE MANDATES

• Involve the Vestry in conversations with final candidates, and work with the Vestry to discern who shall be called as Rector.
• Help plan the celebration of new Ministry, and assist the Vestry and the new Rector during the first six months to introduce the new Rector to the parish and community.

GUIDELINES FOR CREATING A CALLING COMMITTEE

• Wardens do not serve on the Calling Committee.
• No clergy or parish staff members.
• Nine to thirteen members.
• Balance with respect to factors such as age, gender, activities and length of time in the congregation.
• No two members of the same household.
• About one-third from the Vestry whose terms will continue into the new ministry.
• Regular worshipers, members of the Episcopal Church, with a record of support of the parish.
• Able to work well in a group, keep confidences, and support the work of the Calling Committee.
• Willing to meet approximately weekly for nine to twelve months.

HOW TO SELECT A CALLING COMMITTEE

• Publicize Calling Committee membership criteria, and invite parishioners to suggest names to the Wardens and Vestry members.
• Wardens review all suggestions with the Vestry in light of the published criteria.
• Vestry reviews, revises, and confirms the Wardens’ list, and authorizes the Wardens to make the appointments.
• When all appointments are completed, the Senior Warden announces Calling Committee membership to the parish.

CALLING VS. HIRING

HIRING:
– Duties, powers and responsibilities sharply defined.
– Focused decision that is easily reversible.
– The reverse of hiring is firing.
– Hiring is an invitation into an employee/employer relationship.
– Employee is accountable to a supervisor or boss.

CALLING:
– Assumes a community of relationship.
– Sharp definitions of duties, responsibilities and powers are elusive.
– Experienced as a relationship that grows.
– The reverse of calling is dissolution.
– Rector and Parish are mutually accountable for the ministry.
– Rector is accountable to the Bishop, the canons of the Church and promises made at ordination.
– An invitation into leadership and collaboration among the ministries of the Parish and Diocese.
– Involves listening and responding to one another, growing in understanding and grace together.

ROLES IN THE CALLING PROCESS

THE BISHOP:
– Receives notice of clergy resignation from Wardens.
– Works with parish through the Diocesan Deployment Officer.
– Reviews names of potential candidates.
– Meets with final candidates before election.
– Gives formal approval of election and call of new Rector in accordance with Church Canons.

DIOCESAN DEPLOYMENT OFFICER:
– Meets with Wardens and Vestry to outline Calling Process.
– Adapts process to unique needs of the parish.
– Provides guidance, information, candidates, and support throughout the Process.
– Serves as the communication link between the Bishop, Calling Committee and candidates.

VESTRY AND WARDENS:
– Communicate with Bishop and congregation throughout the Process.
– Work with the Diocesan Deployment Officer.
– Provide for interim clergy leadership.
– Appoint and charge the work of the Calling Committee.
– Provide appropriate funding for the Calling Process.
– Elect the new Rector and agree with the new Rector on the terms of the call.

CALLING COMMITTEE:
– Guided by the Diocesan Deployment Officer, keeps in close communication with the Vestry and Parish.
– Develops parish profile in preparation for receiving nominations for Rector.
– Learns screening and interviewing skills appropriate to the Calling Process.
– Makes recommendation to the Vestry for the election of the new Rector.
– Continues as support group for the Rector during the first six months of the new ministry.

STAGES IN THE CALLING PROCESS

PREPARATIONS:

• Notification of the Bishop.
• Appropriate goodbye for the Rector.
• Interim Clergy secured.
• Develop budget and mandate for the Calling Committee.
• Appoint Calling Committee members.

SELF-STUDY AND POSITION PROFILE

With the guidance of the Diocesan Deployment Officer, the Calling Committee leads the Parish in developing a self-study and Parish Profile.

BUILDING A QUALIFIED LIST

• Solicit names from the Church Deployment Office, suggestions from parishioners and other sources.
• Bishop and Diocesan Deployment Officer review names from all sources.
• A qualified list is given to the Calling Committee.
• Names of candidates are confidential.

DISCERNMENT JOURNEY

• Calling Committee narrows the list received from the Bishop and requests written responses to open-ended questions.
• Calling Committee interviews candidates by phone.
• Calling Committee visits selected candidates at candidates’ home parish.
• Calling Committee uses a variety of tools including sermons, references, in-person interviews, etc.
• Diocesan Deployment Officer provides guidance and training.
• Calling Committee communicates with the parish at each step of the Calling Process.

CONCLUDING THE CALLING PROCESS

• Calling Committee brings two or three final candidates to the Parish for local interviews with Vestry involvement.
• Calling Committee works with the Vestry to discern who shall be called.
• The Vestry elects the new Rector.
• Terms of the call are agreed upon.
• Public announcement is made.
• A Celebration of New Ministry is planned.
• Rector and congregation live out the mutual call that has been discerned and accepted.