St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Mountain Home, Ark., is excited to be searching for a new rector. We will keep the community updated here as we go through this process. If you are a priest interested in being considered for the position, please take a look at our Office of Transition Ministry profile.
We are seeking our next rector to join us as we celebrate over 70 years of faith, worship, and service in north-central Arkansas. Organized in 1950, the St. Andrew’s congregation has gathered for worship since 2003 in our present church building in beautiful Mountain Home. We have reverent and moving worship focusing on the liturgy and each individual’s relationship to God.
Our Search Team
Bonnie Smith
Deanna Van Eps
Magda Rodriguez Ramos
Chuck Orvis
Deanna Van Eps
Magda Rodriguez Ramos
Chuck Orvis
The Rector Search Process
1. RECEIVING NAMES
The OTM portfolio and brochure are used to solicit names of potential candidates from the Office of Transitions Ministry database and from other sources. The canon and the chair of the search committee keep all nominations in confidence.
The initial list of candidates is developed from nominees. The bishop and canon review the list for possible additions and eliminations, and then the canon meets with the search committee to narrow the remaining list and to make preparations for the next step in the search process.
A Note on Confidentiality
All members of the search committee must adhere to strict standards of confidentiality. The names of pastors being considered must be kept in confidence. Search committee materials, such as minutes with details about candidates, OTM profiles or resumes, must all be kept confidential.
2. DISCERNMENT
The search committee makes initial contact with each potential candidate, and then reviews application materials, checks references, and conducts phone or “Zoom” interviews. The committee then narrows the list further
3. FIELD VISITS
The search committee is divided into teams and visits candidates in their cures. After all visitations have been made, the teams will report back to the whole committee and the candidate list is narrowed.
4. LOCAL INTERVIEWS AND DECISION MAKING
The remaining candidates from among those interviewed in the field visits are then invited to visit the congregation. During these visits, the candidates will meet will the search committee, vestry, and members of the staff. The purpose of these visits is primarily for the candidates to interview “you.” The search committee will then make its recommendation to the vestry. The vestry elects a rector and notifies the bishop. The bishop then gives the warden permission to issue the call.
5. CLARIFYING TERMS OF THE CALL
The wardens and canon work with the rector-elect to define the terms of the call leading to a letter of agreement (a standard template of a LOA is available from the bishop’s office), which is reviewed and acknowledged by the bishop. Then the public announcement is made, and a celebration of new ministry is planned.
The OTM portfolio and brochure are used to solicit names of potential candidates from the Office of Transitions Ministry database and from other sources. The canon and the chair of the search committee keep all nominations in confidence.
The initial list of candidates is developed from nominees. The bishop and canon review the list for possible additions and eliminations, and then the canon meets with the search committee to narrow the remaining list and to make preparations for the next step in the search process.
A Note on Confidentiality
All members of the search committee must adhere to strict standards of confidentiality. The names of pastors being considered must be kept in confidence. Search committee materials, such as minutes with details about candidates, OTM profiles or resumes, must all be kept confidential.
2. DISCERNMENT
The search committee makes initial contact with each potential candidate, and then reviews application materials, checks references, and conducts phone or “Zoom” interviews. The committee then narrows the list further
3. FIELD VISITS
The search committee is divided into teams and visits candidates in their cures. After all visitations have been made, the teams will report back to the whole committee and the candidate list is narrowed.
4. LOCAL INTERVIEWS AND DECISION MAKING
The remaining candidates from among those interviewed in the field visits are then invited to visit the congregation. During these visits, the candidates will meet will the search committee, vestry, and members of the staff. The purpose of these visits is primarily for the candidates to interview “you.” The search committee will then make its recommendation to the vestry. The vestry elects a rector and notifies the bishop. The bishop then gives the warden permission to issue the call.
5. CLARIFYING TERMS OF THE CALL
The wardens and canon work with the rector-elect to define the terms of the call leading to a letter of agreement (a standard template of a LOA is available from the bishop’s office), which is reviewed and acknowledged by the bishop. Then the public announcement is made, and a celebration of new ministry is planned.
