Why St John’s has chosen a planned transition model

St. John’s Episcopal Church is seeking a new rector.  We have taken stock and determined who we are now and have a fairly good idea of who we would like to be.  (See link  to “Who We Are and Where We Want to Be” on the Helpful Information for Prospective Candidates page in this section). We have been blessed with the leadership of a dedicated and effective Rector who has helped us to be a parish that has grown in gifts and given us a desire to do more. 

The vestry has chosen to not use an interim during our transition to a new rector.  Our Bishop supports our decision and has asked us to pilot this model for the Diocese.  This atypical approach comes about as a result of careful consideration of several key issues which typically inform such a decision. We have utilized the Voyle & Voyle Appreciative Assessment tool in determining this approach and encourage you to review their materials for further insight.

1. We are not a parish in need of a major change in direction.  We have elected to carefully chart our future course while remaining open to the Holy Spirit’s power and right to change that course at any time.

2. We are fortunate to have not suffered any great division among the parishioners.  We come from different places but have a history of dealing well with tensions and issues.

3. We are financially stable.  We of course would like to be more so and see great potential for making that happen.

4. Our retired rector had a strong sense of appropriateness when it comes to our discerning who should be the next rector. He encouraged us to move forward with the discernment process without any interference on his part. He remained true to this approach throughout the year leading up to his retirement.

5. Lastly, our current rector retired.  We did not lost him to another parish or position, and he has given us the time to engage in a planned transition. We have been afforded the opportunity to say goodbye in a healthy and healing way, and we are enthusiastic about welcoming a new rector, a new partner.

We will continue to utilize supply priests and clear the boards for the new rector.  It has been a busy time for us, filled mostly with anticipation and excitement.  We are in a community where we often must say goodbye.  But we also know the joy of meeting new people and allowing them to become very important in our lives.  It is our hope that potential candidates prayerfully will consider becoming part of our community.