September 22, 2019
Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. (Proverbs 19:21). As your Search Team, we are intent on one thing only – seeking God’s will first and foremost as we search on your behalf for the new Rector. To do this, we are actively laying down any personal motives while we seek God’s agenda and purpose for Immanuel.
Here is an explanation of the Diocese of the Mid-Atlantic (DOMA)’s recommendations for the search process, with an update of where we are in the process.
Phase 1: Prepare to seek candidates. This phase is almost completed. We have prepared a profile of Immanuel and a vacancy announcement, so potential applicants will know our expectations for our Rector. The Vestry has approved these documents, and we are beginning to advertise the position through a variety of channels.
Phase 2: Receive and assess candidate information. We will request resumes, spiritual autobiographies and links to three sermons from each individual applying to become our Rector. We will finalize criteria for each Search Team member to use in reviewing the submitted information. We will select a group of candidates to move to Phase 3.
Phase 3: Identify the most promising candidates. After meeting with DOMA Canon Mary Hays on September 25 for guidance, we will prayerfully develop a more in-depth set of questions and ask candidates for written responses. Once we receive this information, we will conduct interviews via videoconferencing to further narrow the field of candidates.
Phase 4: Invite final candidates to meet with us. There will be 2-4 candidates remaining in the Search process. At this time, we will invite them to meet with the Search Team and the Vestry in person.
Phase 5: Recommendation to the Vestry. The Search Team will recommend one or two candidates to the Vestry. The Vestry, alone, is responsible for the final decision to choose a Rector.
In all phases, we are praying. At each Search Team meeting, we start with Bible study. We begin and end with prayer. We are praying with our Intercessors and with you that we seek God’s purpose alone. Please continue to pray for us, for the Search process, and for the person whom God is calling to be our new Rector.
Yours in Christ,
The Search Committee
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