Contents
Foreword ix
Introduction 1
Start Prayerfully 3
Understand Congregational Transitions 5
Participants in the Transition 9
Manage the Ending Stage 19
Communicate with the Congregation 22
Assess the Church and Imagine Your Future 24
Engage the Congregation in the Transition 30
Timeline 32
Transition Finances 34
Prepare the Search Committee for Group Discernment 35
Establish Search Confidentiality 40
Understand the Role of a Rector 40
Summarize the Rector Characteristics You Seek 47
Develop Your Marketing Material 50
Introduction to Spiritual Discernment 52
“Cast the Net” – Find Candidates 61
Initial Discernment 64
Concluding Discernment 71
Practical Aspects of the Call 77
Agree on Employment Terms 80
Start Your Partnership with the New Rector 85
Support Others’ Transitions 87
Project Management for Your Transition 91
Bibliography 92
Gratitude 99
Toolbox
Tool 1: Worksheet to Form a Search Committee
Tool 2: Sample Vestry Charge to a Search Committee
Tool 3: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Worksheet
Tool 4: Questions to Start a Forward-Looking Assessment
Tool 5: Worksheet to Prompt Parish Survey Questions
Tool 6: Transition Budget Worksheet
Tool 7: Practical Advice on Confidentiality
Tool 8: Sermon Listening Sheet
Tool 9: Rector Qualities Worksheet
Tool 10a: Parish Profile Worksheet
Tool 10b: OTM Ministry Portfolio Worksheet
Tool 10c: Open Positions Form, Transition Ministry Conference
Tool 11: Sample Prospect Summary
Tool 12: Worksheet to Track Candidates
Tool 13a: Sample Invitation into Mutual Discernment
Tool 13b: Sample Email Welcoming into Mutual Discernment
Tool 14a: Worksheet for Written Questions to Candidates
Tool 14b: Data Fields of the OTM’s Clergy Ministry Portfolio
Tool 14c: Worksheet for First Interviews
Tool 15: Candidate Visit Schedule
Tool 16: Form for Reference Interviews
Tool 17: Mutual Expectations Worksheet
Tool 18: Employment Terms Worksheet
Tool 19: Announce the New Rector
Tool 20: Welcome
Tool 21: Orientation
Tool 22: Project Management Worksheet