Recruiting for a new Priest-in-Charge
Update # 1: September 1, 2017
On Wednesday, August 30, your wardens met with Bishop Logan during which he outlined the process we will follow to do what some have said is the impossible – find a replacement for Rob!
Before we get to that though, there are a few items to clarify:
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The diocesan term for what we used to call the “Selection Committee” is now the “Bishop’s Consultation Team”. The team will include the wardens and the Haro regional Archdeacon, who is the Venerable Canon Penelope Kingham. Also, the wardens, in consultation with their respective members of parish council, will appoint three more members from the parish - two from St. Mary’s and one from St. Stephen’s. Thus, there will be 3 members from each congregation on the team.
- As there is no permanent rector during this transition period, there is no rector’s warden as such and the Bishop has indicated that he intends to appoint Greg Robinson as Bishop’s warden.
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Bishop Logan will appoint an Interim Priest-in-Charge. In wanting to appoint his preferred candidate, he is taking a bit longer to ensure the best person for our Parish is appointed. However, he expects that he will be able to announce his appointment next week.
- Archdeacon Penelope Kingham will be attending Rob’s final service on September 24th. She will also meet with Rob to provide him with an opportunity to provide any feedback he may have.
So far, things will happen pretty much as expected. However, here is where we will begin to use some new approaches to the process.
As noted above, instead of a “Selection Committee”, there will be the “Bishop’s Consultation Team”, being supported by the Diocese, and coached by the Bishop and Archdeacon. There will be close coordination between this team and the Bishop. The Bishop would like the members of this team to be available to the new Priest-in-Charge for some time beyond the appointment, and he will invite a review from the team three months after the appointment.
One day, or perhaps an evening, in October, the Bishop will invite all parishioners to attend a Transition Day. There will be more on that, but one significant objective for that meeting will be to identify the key elements of our refreshed Parish Profile - what is important to us on our spiritual journey ahead.
The Bishop’s Consultation Team will develop the revised Parish Profile, and other things needed to recruit suitable candidates to be interviewed.
What is different is that we are not left on our own to try to select a suitable candidate. We are part of a team with the Diocese, with full engagement by the Bishop. And in the end, the Bishop’s Consultation Team recommends their first and second choice, and the Bishop will appoint the new Priest-in-Charge.
Optimistically, we are targeting to complete the process by Easter. Regardless of when that target is achieved, it also means that the Interim Priest-in-Charge must be prepared to commit to our needs for that same period. And for the Interim Priest-in-Charge, it will include more than leading the Sunday Services, for example leadership, and pastoral care. But we will have to discuss how other needs like Bible study are met within the 3 days per week.
From a budget perspective, it is expected that the Interim Priest-in-Charge will work 2 ½ to 3 days per week (including Sunday serevices). But we will still have to work it out with the Interim Priest-in-Charge as to how we can most effective use these 3 days per week. All costs associated with the recruitment (inclusive of relocation costs) of the new Priest-in-Charge will be borne by the Parish – but most of this will be charged against next year’s budget. For a more complete step-by-step of the process from the Diocese of British Columbia, please refer to the copy at the end of this update bulletin. It is entitled "Diocese of British Columbia - Normal Appointment Process:".
Please don’t hesitate to ask us if you have any questions – in person or via email. We will try out a Question and Answer segment on the website that you can check. While we won’t be able to share confidential information with you, we are committed to providing you with meaningful updates during that process.
Respectfully,
Lynda Clifford Derek Osman Greg Robinson
Diocese of British Columbia
Normal Appointment Process:
- Bishop announces the resignation.
- Bishop appoints Interim Priest-in-Charge.
- Archdeacon meets with Incumbent for exit interview.
- Archdeacon attends final Service.
- Bishop’s meets with the Wardens.
- Wardens and Parish Council appoints the Bishop’s Consultation Team. Membership should include the regional Archdeacon and the Wardens; it should not include retired clergy.
- Bishop and Wardens decide on a date for a Transition Day.
- Transition Day facilitated by Bishop or his delegate.
- Bishop’s Consultation Team, within 14 days, develops Profile from Transition Day materials and submits it to the Bishop. The Profile should include: - a history of the parish, - a snapshot of present ministries and mission, a vision “why” statement, - 3 priorities of the parish around engaging God’s mission relating to town/municipality. The Profile should not be a review of people or programmes nor should it contain a wish list of clergy gifts or skills. Let interested candidates tell you how they see their experience, interests and gifts making them a “good fit” for the parish.
- Bishop’s Consultation Team drafts an advertisement for posting to the Diocesan and Anglican Church of Canada web sites. The advertisement can also be posted to the web sites of the Church of England and that of the Episcopal Church of the United States.
- The process is confidential, however, regular updates on where the consultation team is in the process should be given to the parish. Obviously names of candidates and parishes should remain confidential. Updates such as: “We have x number of applications. We’ve finished the first round of interviews, or we have shortlisted candidates and will begin interviews soon,” etc. are appropriate.
- Parish Profile, the most recent parish annual return, information on clergy stipends and benefits sent to applicants by Bishop with a request for a resume, response to the Profile, statement of challenges and references. Note: The references are checked by the Bishop’s office not the parish.
- Together with the Consultation Team, the Bishop creates a short list of applicants.
- Bishop’s office emails applications to members of the Consultation Team. Bishop consults with Team about applications.
- The Consultation Team needs to negotiate the salary and housing allowance with the diocesan finance officer. This information would then be shared with those candidates who are to be interviewed.
- Initial interviews conducted. If a tool such as Skype is used for one candidate, it should be used for all candidates.
- The Bishop and the Consultation Team create a second short list for interviewing of applicants.
- Bishop or someone designated by her/him contacts references of short-listed applicants.
- Consultation Team arranges for interviews with each applicant, expenses of which are borne by the Parish. Part of the interview should include a homily of 3-5 minutes to introduce passage followed by a bible study. This will show you how the applicant handles scripture, and whether she/he is clear and concise. As the applicant leads in the study it will become clear how they deal with various understandings of scripture and theology and it will show how they balance prophetic and pastoral approaches to scripture and community. a) Have applicant inform you how they would deal with an issue facing the parish. It can be about buildings or human resources. It may have to do with an outreach project how the parish can engage in a social issue facing the community. b) Ask the applicant how she/he will lead the parish in the implementation of the Diocesan Vision? Note: dates for interviews to be arranged in consultation with Bishop’s Office as Bishop will also interview applicants.
- Bishop meets with the Consultation Team immediately after interviews for discussion and decision on two nominees suggested to the Bishop.
- Bishop invites one of the applicants to accept appointment, provides letter of announcement to the Parish and sends appointment letters to the new priest.
- In consultation with the Diocesan Executive Officer, the Wardens make arrangements with the new priest regarding salary, housing, moving arrangements and dates.
- Bishop licences the new Incumbent. Incumbent contacts Bishop’s Office to arrange for the Celebration of a New Ministry which celebration will take place approximately 3 months after start of new ministry.
- Bishop’s Consultation Team remains as a possible support group for new Incumbent.
- Parish Council seeks ways for the Profile to become the basis of visioning, and goals and objectives setting.
- The Bishop may make an offer of using an Alternative Process.a