Rector Search Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions Relating to a Rector Search

Who is responsible for selecting our next Rector? Vestry members are the elected representatives of the parish and are charged with the responsibility for calling our next Rector with the approval of the Bishop. If you have questions or comments for the Vestry, please seek out a Vestry member.
Who identifies candidates from whom the Vestry will call our next Rector? The Vestry will appoint a Search Committee to develop and implement a plan for the search for a new Rector and the Vestry with the help of the Bishop's Office will hire a Search Consultant to advise on the process. The Search Comittee will be comprised of parish members with one or no Vestry members.
What does the Search Committee do? The Search Committee's work includes reviewing the self-study of the parish, preparing a parish profile, conducting a national search for suitable candidates for Rector, discerning which candidates are best suited to serve Emmanuel, and presenting suitable candidates to the Vestry.
What is a parish profile? A parish profile is a profile or narrative statement of who and what the parish represents and treasures. A good profile will contain information about parish history, demographics, the neighborhood, outreach efforts, stewardship and finances, worship, fellowship, and so on.
Does the Diocese have a role in recommending or calling our next Rector? The Diocese provides us with resources and advice as needed, and must approve all candidates, but the calling process is our own. Several finalists are recommended by the Search Committee to the Vestry. The finalist is called by the Vestry and approved by the Bishop.
May I recommend someone to be considered for the position? Yes! You may recommend a candidate to any member of the Search Committee or encourage a candidate to apply on his or her own directly. All such recommendations should be made in strict confidence to protect the privacy of candidates.
How long does it take to find a Rector? From the time the previous Rector departs until a new Rector is installed typically takes 12-24 months. Of course, there is no single—or simple—answer. Each situation is different, and each parish takes different amounts of time for a search. Therefore, we cannot say for sure exactly how long our search process will take.
What happens before a new Rector is found? An Interim Priest will be called by the Vestry to lead the parish during its search for a new Rector. Supply clergy will cover Sunday/pastoral care after the departure of the Rector if the Interim Priest is not immediately available.
What is an Interim Priest? The Interim Priest practices a specialized form of ministry focused on leading the parish through the experience of being in between permanent Rectors. The Interim Priest has much the same canonical authority and responsibilities as does a permanent Rector concerning spiritual and liturgical matters of the church. Many Interim Priests view the interim process as their primary calling and spend all or a portion of their careers serving the Church in this way.
How is an Interim Priest selected? The Vestry will select an Interim Priest with the assistance of the Bishop’s Office. The Vestry will appoint a committee comprised of Vestry members to facilitate the hiring of the Interim Priest.
Can the Interim Priest be a candidate for the permanent Rector position? No. As a matter of Diocesan policy, the Interim Priest may not be called as the permanent Rector. The Interim Priest is available, however, as a resource to those involved in the search process.