November 17, 2019
Saturday, November 9, the Search Committee had the absolute privilege of meeting for an all-day retreat to discuss each of the qualified candidates who responded to our call for a pastor. Thank you for praying. We all sensed the many prayers you offered when we were meeting.
During the past couple of weeks, the Search Team members individually evaluated nine qualified candidates. We assessed how well their spiritual autobiographies and resumes aligned to the qualities and experience in our Rector Profile. We also prayerfully listened to three sermons for each candidate and used a set of
criteria to help us assess each message.
The team was struck by the fact that there were nine candidates and nine Search Committee members. We were each randomly assigned a specific candidate to present at the retreat. God had a clear hand in the assignments, shaping our individual prayers for the candidates and the discussion of each one.
The retreat format allowed us to discuss each candidate’s strengths and weaknesses one-by-one, consider other committee members’ feedback and observations, and then make solid recommendations about who to move on to the next phase. By the end of the day four candidates emerged from the group that we all feel confident and comfortable moving on to Phase 3.
God made it clear that he was in control throughout the selection. With one committee member unavoidably absent from the retreat, we had guidance from the Diocese to not include that person’s scores. At the conclusion of the selection process, we were encouraged to learn that God had aligned that team member’s choices for top candidates with the selections made by rest of the team.
For the next phase, we have sent those top four candidates three written questions for additional information and consideration. After that we will conduct long-distance video (Skype or Zoom) interviews with the remaining candidates. We plan to move through this next phase quickly, if possible, with the goal of having interviews completed before Christmas.
Please continue to pray for us, for the Search process, and for the person whom God is calling to be our new Rector. This verse was the focal point of our retreat: Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge him, and He shall direct your paths. – Proverbs 3:5-6. We are continuing to trust God, and rely on His leading.
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