STAGES IN THE CALLING PROCESS

PREPARATIONS
Notification of the Bishop
Appropriate goodbye for the Rector
Interim Clergy secured
Develop budget and mandate for the Calling Committee
Appoint Calling Committee members

SELF STUDY AND POSITION PROFILE
With the guidance of the Diocesan Deployment Officer, the Calling Committee leads the Parish in developing a self study and Parish Profile

BUILDING A QUALIFIED LIST
Solicit names from the Church Deployment Office, suggestions from parishioners and other sources
Bishop and Diocesan Deployment Officer review names from all sources
A qualified list is given to the Calling Committee
Names of candidates are confidential

DISCERNMENT JOURNEY
Calling Committee narrows the list received from the Bishop and requests written responses to open-ended questions
Calling Committee interviews candidates by phone
Calling Committee visits selected candidates at candidates’ home parishes
Calling Committee uses a variety of tools including sermons, references, in person interviews, etc.
Diocesan Deployment Officer provides guidance and training
Calling Committee communicates with the parish at each step of the Calling Process

CONCLUDING THE CALLING PROCESS
Calling Committee brings two or three final candidates to the Parish for local interviews with Vestry involvement
Calling Committee works with the Vestry to discern who shall be called
The Vestry elects the new Rector
Terms of the call are agreed upon
Public announcement is made
A Celebration of New Ministry is planned
Rector and congregation live out the mutual call that has been discerned and accepted