PSC Update - January 2010

As we continue our search for Hope UCC’s next called pastor, the Pastoral Search Committee (PSC) has been meeting twice monthly, primarily to discuss and rank Ministerial Profiles. Since listing the position in UCC Employment Opportunities in September, we have received from 22 candidates from all over the country.

Ministerial Profiles contain much more than a typical resume. In addition to a candidate’s work experience, profiles include the candidate’s written Statement on Ministry, a Self-Assessment, written references from 8 people, ratings from the candidate’s references on a checklist of leadership characteristics of a pastor, a background check, and more. Prayerfully considering a profile, usually 20-25 pages, is a time consuming process, and one not to be rushed. We expect to be done reviewing all the profiles sometime in late March/early April.

In the meantime, in addition to reviewing profiles, we are busy developing interview questions, to be used for telephone and in-person interviews. We have requested recorded sermons from several candidates who we think we might like to interview. And we are in the process of arranging to do a mock interview, hopefully in early March, with a local minister who is not applying for the position.

We hope to complete telephone interviews and reference checks by the end of April. We will then select two to three candidates for personal interviews, and we will make arrangements for PSC members to hear them preach during Sunday morning worship services at “neutral pulpits” arranged at local churches in the Potomac Association.

Next, with God’s guidance, we will decide on a candidate to recommend to the congregation. Pending approval from the Cabinet, members and friends of Hope will have an opportunity to meet the candidate (and family) during a “candidating weekend” in an informal setting and at a worship service where the candidate will preach. At a congregational meeting after worship there will be a chance to ask questions of the Search Committee, followed by a vote on the Call to our new pastor.

Based on a very optimistic timeline for completing the search process, we hope to have the congregational vote in September.

We continue to be grateful during this time for Sid’s excellent interim leadership, and we ask you to pray for us regularly. With hard work and God’s guidance, we know we will find a wonderful pastor to guide Hope as we continue in our ministries.

If you have questions or would like a copy of the church profile, contact Kathy Doxsee, PSC Chair.