Grace Episcopal Church, Jefferson City
Charge to Search Committee
Approved by Vestry on March 21, 2006

The Vestry of Grace Episcopal Church in Jefferson City charges the appointed search committee to conduct a search for a new rector, which shall include:

Committee structure & method of conduct

The Senior Warden, with the approval of the Vestry, shall appoint co chairs for the committee. The committee co-chairs may appoint or hold an election to select a clerk and any additional positions they deem necessary.

The committee shall select an appropriate parliamentary method for conducting meetings to include the nature of votes necessary to make the decisions for recommendations to the Vestry.

Confidentiality covenant

The committee members shall hold in confidence any discussions concerning individual members of the parish or individuals being considered for a leadership position. The process itself should be as transparent as possible; personal information must remain confidential.

Communication

The Vestry members of the committee shall report on the committee’s progress at each regularly scheduled Vestry meeting.

The committee shall keep the parish informed of its progress with frequent communications, including regular reports of the committee’s activities in the parish newsletter, announcements during services, and by other means the committee deems appropriate.

Closed meetings

Meetings of the committee shall be closed to outsiders unless the committee requests someone to be present for the purpose of reporting to the committee. Exceptions shall be persons from the Offices of the Bishop related to the search process and the Wardens.

Clergy compensation package

The committee should assume, until otherwise notified, that the compensation package for the new leadership needs to be consistent with the Diocesan Standard Clergy Compensation. Final decisions regarding salary and benefits will be made by the Vestry.

Search budget

The Vestry has allocated $5,000 for expenses related to the committee’s work in 2006 if needed. The committee is asked to submit an estimated budget for 2007 to the Finance Committee by November 30, 2006.

Congregation’s identity

The committee shall prepare a church history, paying particular attention  to those aspects of parish history the committee deems most relevant to its consideration of the current state and future needs of the parish.

The committee shall endeavor to discover the needs, hopes, and dreams of the people of Grace Church. It shall perform a complete and accurate assessment of the present state of the parish and its desired future. The committee is encouraged to use various means of listening and gathering information during the self-study. All members of the parish must be given opportunities to express their views and concerns.

Leadership model recommendation

After careful research, the committee shall report to the Vestry on various  models of parish leadership, including clerical as well as paid and unpaid lay leadership. The committee may recommend a particular choice to the Vestry, but needs to include rationale of all researched possibilities. After receiving this report, the Vestry will consider the various options and relay  to the search committee the leadership model the Vestry wishes to adopt.

Parish identity narrative

Having been given the final leadership model, the committee should  prepare a parish profile for Vestry for review and approval. Following approval, the committee will distribute the profile to the members of the parish and interested applicants.

Investigation of candidates

Using the final leadership model, the committee shall begin a search for appropriate applicants for the position of rector. Through appropriate means, determined with the advice of the diocesan consultant, the committee shall investigate all appropriate applicants.

Recommendation to Vestry

The committee shall present at least three candidates for the Vestry’s consideration, summarizing the strengths of each.

Suggested timeline

 The committee should endeavor to present its recommended slate of  candidates to the Vestry by August 1, 2007

Destruction of confidential materials

Following the selection of a new rector, the committee shall destroy all  personnel records related to applicants who were not selected.

Celebration of New Ministry

The committee will assist in welcoming the new priest including but not limited to the Celebration of New Ministry service.