Search Committee Update – March
Search Committee Update, March 2023
By: Eric Hagstette
The search committee appointed to seek out anew Dean and Rector continues its work, meeting each week as a full committee and, throughout the week, in smaller groups dedicated to investigating prospects whose names have been submitted. This vetting is made easier by the great amount of information available to us on the internet. We can look at the health of the church where the prospect is currently on staff. We can look at attendance, observe services and listen to sermons. We can examine outreach and education opportunities. We do all of this in an attempt to find prospects who may be a good match for us as we search for a new pastor, preacher, teacher and faith leader.
By the beginning of March, more than 60 names had been submitted to the committee. The great majority of those prospects have been preliminarily investigated and then discussed by the committee. That process continues even as additional names are being submitted from across the country. Each of the new prospects will be similarly investigated.
A number of those vetted have generated interest in the committee and are being contacted to discuss our search process and gauge whether the prospect is interested in participating. All of this is done with a great emphasis on confidentiality. I am happy to report that some very exciting prospects have expressed interest and meetings with them are being scheduled. Teams already are assigned in some cases to travel to the prospect, engage in a lengthy interview, participate in Sunday services, listen to the prospect preach, and then report back to the committee.
It is important to remember that the prospects we interview are also investigating the Cathedral through live streaming, internet searches and otherwise, and will be interviewing us at the same time we interview them. It is important that our congregation stay involved in worship and parish life throughout this process and continue to be the vital and committed congregation that we are known to be. Our prospects (and next Dean!) will be watching and examining our activities and participation as we move through this interim time.
The committee is dedicated to prayerfully and thoroughly examining each prospect whose name is submitted. This will take time, but the committee is dedicated to putting in the work necessary to get the job done. While the committee does its work, please keep each of us in your prayers, asking for the help of the Holy Spirit as we seek to discern a new Dean for Christ Church Cathedral.
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