Transitions of Clergy Leadership in Mission Congregations Diocese of Colorado 2014

Almighty God, giver of every good gift. Look graciously on your Church, and so guide the minds of those who shall choose a vicar for this congregation, that we may receive a faithful pastor, who will care for your people and equip us for our ministries; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Mission Shaped Congregations Christ Centered and Healthy Forming numerous Leaders Becoming a “sending community” Participating in God’s Mission Proclamation Discipleship Servanthood

Mission Shaped Leadership Grounded in God: prayerful, gospel oriented, kingdom values embodied Creative, flexible, innovative, courageous, adaptive, emergent Contextual and engaged, moving out into the community Equipping and nurturing leaders

Office of the Bishop Provides Identification of supply clergy or interim Consultation and support from the Bishop and the Canon Missioner Materials, resources, training, and consultants Appropriate vicar candidate Prayer and support during the process

Congregation Responsibilities Wardens and Bishop’s Committee are formal canonical leadership during the vacancy Clear and ongoing communication with the congregation and the Office of the Bishop

Stages of Transition Loss Preparation The Search Call & Start Adjustment Re-visioning

Stage One: Loss Issue: grief Emotional content: is charged with sadness, anger, and anxiety Leadership task: bring closure and celebrate the past Danger: failure to face the loss (denial) Icon: closing celebration for current vicar

Stage Two: Preparation Issue: re-assessment Emotional content: resolve and anxiety Leadership task: to look honestly and realistically at present situation and needs Danger: creating a fictional profile Icon: meeting with Canon to begin assessment work

Stage Three: The Search Issue: find the person to lead for the future Emotional content: anticipation and excitement Leadership task: finding best leader with right skills for mission shaped future Danger: rebound selection Icon: Discernment Season Beginning

Stage Four: Call/ Start Issue: bonding Emotional content: enthusiasm and euphoria Leadership task: welcome & establish working relationship Danger: the Messiah has come Icon: Celebration of New Ministry (6 mos.)

Stage Five: Adjustment Issue: reality vs. expectations Emotional content: frustration Leadership task: lead change, manage conflict Danger: focus on new vicar personality or isolated areas of symbolic change Icon: first year mutual ministry review

Stage Six: Re-visioning Issue: shared identity and common vision Emotional content: resolve the excitement Leadership task: focus on shared vision Danger: distracted or derailed by issues Icon: Vision Celebration

Vicar Appointment Process Congregational assessment and leadership needs Bishop provides best candidates Bishop’s Committee interviews and agrees (if not Bishop provides other candidates) Canon to the Ordinary finalizes letter of agreement with mutual ministry reviews

Ministry Reflection Review the past: history, clergy, patterns Assess the present: health, worship, leadership, ministry, context, dynamics, and stewardship Envision the future: core values, identity, purpose, mission, vision Clergy leadership needs Development of parish profile

Visioning Work Define Core Values Develop identity and purpose statements Involve the congregation through visioning events and/or value & vision based surveys or cottage group discussions

Community Context Gather community information statistical and environmental including housing, schools, health care, & work opportunities Utilize demographic data and resources for new ministry opportunities Exegete your community context to understand potential ministry needs

Parish Finances It is the Bishops Committee’s responsibility to: Develop a compensation package according to the guidelines Budget for moving expenses Background checks budget

Parish Finances It is the Bishops Committee’s responsibility to: Develop a compensation package according to the guidelines Budget for moving expenses Background checks budget

The Congregational Profile Provides information about the congregation Outlines the congregation’s identity, mission, and purpose: currently lived and future vision Presents a profile of the type of clergy leader desired to live into vision

Community Portfolio Worksheet Complete Community Portfolio Worksheet Narrative Questions echo Candidate Portfolio Questions Send Parish Profile and Community Portfolio Worksheet to Canon Missioner Bishop and Canon Missioner meet with Bishop’s Committee

Visiting with the Candidates The Senior Warden should telephone the candidate, inform him/her that the Bishop’s Committee would like to invite the candidate (and family) to visit the parish in discernment for a call. The parish pays expenses for the visit. In the same visit, out of state candidates need to meet with the Bishop The Canon Missioner will provide interview resources and tips for your preparation for the visit.

The Visit This visit is not a public event. It should take place during the week and should include a meeting with the Bishop’s Committee. Other meetings should be at the request of the candidate. It is usual for the candidate to meet with staff members and any of the key ministry leaders desired. There should be no public introductions or occasions. Information packets for the candidates sent beforehand could include: newsletter, financials, bulletins, Bishop’s Committee minutes, annual report, etc.

Discerning a Call The Bishop’s Committee discerns and comes to consensus on a candidate The Sr. Warden notifies the Bishop and the Canon Missioner The Bishop extends the appointment for the call Once the call is accepted, agree upon announcement and start up time frames

Terms of the Call The Canon to the Ordinary with input from the wardens meets with the vicar elect to work out the terms of the call leading to a Letter of Agreement (template available), which is reviewed and acknowledged by the Bishop. Mutual Ministry Reviews and Clergy Relationship Reviews are conducted after the first six months and annually thereafter. Housing arrangements need to be explored, including time with a realtor if the priest wishes to get an idea of what is available in the community.

Vital New Ministry Intentional Welcoming and Bonding Celebration of New Ministry after six months Mutual Ministry Reviews Diocesan Support Groups: “Newly Called Rectors and Vicars Group”, CDI

` God, we have no idea where we are going. We do not see the road ahead of us. We cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do we really know ourselves, and the fact that we think we are following your will does not mean that we are actually doing so. But we believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And we hope we have that desire in all that we are doing. We hope that we will never do anything apart from that desire. And we know that if we do this you will lead us by the right road, though we may know nothing about it. Therefore, we will trust you always though we may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. We will not fear, for you are ever with us, and you will never leave us to face our perils alone. Amen

` God, we have no idea where we are going. We do not see the road ahead of us. We cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do we really know ourselves, and the fact that we think we are following your will does not mean that we are actually doing so. But we believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And we hope we have that desire in all that we are doing. We hope that we will never do anything apart from that desire. And we know that if we do this you will lead us by the right road, though we may know nothing about it. Therefore, we will trust you always though we may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. We will not fear, for you are ever with us, and you will never leave us to face our perils alone. Amen