The "Call Process" in The Diocese of Newark
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The Rt. Rev. John P. Croneberger
BishopThis brochure is intended for broad congregational distribution. The adequate and appropriate sharing of information during the Call Process is critical for success. The following is a condensed outline of the Call Process in the Diocese of Newark. The full process is outlined in "Guidelines for the Call Process in the Diocese of Newark" which is over 120 pages long.
To call a new priest for your congregation is a spiritual endeavor. Over the next several months, many in your congregation will work diligently to see that a wise choice is made. Most important is that the wardens, vestry, search committee and congregation treat this process prayerfully. The following is one prayer suggested by the Church Deployment Office for use at all meetings of the vestry, search committee, and regularly at your public worship services.
Almighty God, giver of every good gift: Look graciously on your whole Church, and so guide us in this parish during our time of self-study and search that we shall grow in our commitment to one another and to the cause of your Christ, and may choose a faithful priest to join us in our ministries, in our parish, community and diocese; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Resignation Before the Search Process begins, the Termination Process must be completed.
When the priest notifies the vestry/executive committee of his/her resignation, the Senior Warden calls to inform the bishop that the resignation has been received and accepted.
The vestry then plans and carries out appropriate events to celebrate the departing priests ministry.
Concurrent with the termination process, two other items are addressed. The canon to the ordinary schedules an exit interview with the priest and the senior warden sets up a meeting between the vestry, the bishop and the Canon to discuss the interim and search process.
The Search Process
It is important for the congregation to understand that a "typical" search process takes from 12 to 18 months. Responsibility for this process lies with your elected vestry and wardens. The search process formally begins when the vestry appoints a search committee. The vestry defines the committees' task and develops a budget and guidelines for them to complete their work. At this point a consultant is hired to work with the committee from beginning to end. In general the search process consists of three phases.
The Self-Study
In this phase the committee or, a designated sub-group, endeavors to gather information in order to create a "snapshot" of the congregation. The gathering of this information will be through both questionnaires and small group discussions. The type of information generated will include; current mission, goals for the future, congregational and diocesan history, demographics, worship style, housing arrangements, financial information and program activities. The consultant will assist in, and has many resources to aid this process. This information is then used to create two documents.
1. The Parish Profile.
This document can take many shapes. Most common is a booklet describing in "snapshot" form your congregation at this point in your life and ministry. However, it is also possible to expand this product into the electronic age by posting it on the World Wide Web, producing a video-tape or, creating an interactive CD ROM. The purpose of any or all of the above is to guide a potential candidate through your congregation. The end result needs to be true to who you see yourselves to be as a worshipping and ministering congregation as well as who you are striving to be in the future.
2. The Computer Profile.
This is a document prepared using the information gathered and the Parish Profile. It is put into computer form and run through the National Church's computer of clergy to help find qualified candidates.
The Screening
It is during this phase that the search committee begins to receive the names of possible candidates. These names generally come from three sources: 1. From the bishop's office, 2. From the National Church computer, and 3. From parishioners of your congregation. It is important to know that in the Diocese of Newark, all searches are affirmative action searches and that the search committee will be provided with qualified candidates without discrimination.
Once the committee has received names they narrow their list to a manageable number, usually 8 to 25. The committee then becomes more involved and will generally ask for a few written questions to help them discern and screen further. Depending on the size and available resources of your congregation, the search committee will generally try to screen the list down to 5 to 10 persons to contact in a more personal way.
The search committee will then attempt, when possible, to visit each of the remaining candidates at the site of their current ministry. From this interview the list is narrowed, usually to three candidates to be presented to the vestry.
The Call
In this phase, the candidates are invited (with spouse/partner) for a couple of days to visit your community, see the church and, rectory and generally get a feel for your community. At this time the candidate also meets with the bishop. After interviewing all the candidates, the vestry votes to call your new rector. In the case of a mission congregation, the vestry will recommend to the bishop a final candidate and the bishop issues the call. The call is considered in force when the vestry, rector-nominee, and the bishop have all signed the Letter of Agreement.
The Beginning of a New Ministry for your Parish
After the vestry has completed the calling of your new priest your senior warden will oversee the process to successful transition your new priest into their new position. This will include: Helping in relocation for the priest and his/her family, Coordinating with the bishop's office for either the bishop or the canon to preside at The Celebration of New Ministry, Setting up a process to review the expectations of the vestry and rector, And, the periodic evaluation of the total ministry of the parish and rector's role in that ministry.
Diocese of Newark
The Rt. Rev. John P. Croneberger
BishopThe Rev. Canon Paul S. Hunt
Canon to the Ordinary
31 Mulberry St. Newark, NJ 07102Phone: 973-430-9916
Fax: 973-622-6508
Email: canonhunt@aol.com
Office: 908-852-3968 | FAX: 908-212-7535
email: stjames214@comcast.net
Created: May 2000
