Assessing Skills and Discerning Calls
Appreciative Inquiry Version
The search process consists of the following steps:
- Creating a solid foundation to conduct the search.
- Establish a clear sense of vision and purpose for the congregation.
- Establish the search criteria to help the congregation achieve their vision.
- Assess candidates abilities with respect to the search criteria.
- Discern a call from a qualified list.
In addition to providing extensive resources to facilitate these steps Assessing Skills and Discerning Calls also includes a substantial introduction to the Appreciative Way of thinking. This positive, life-giving approach informs every aspect of the search process.
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The Appreciative Way and the Search Process
Episcopal and Protestant Versions
The current version was written with the language and practices of the Episcopal church in mind. A "generic" Protestant language version is being developed to be used in any congregational setting that uses a clergy call search process rather than a clergy appointment process. Within the Episcopal and the Protestant denominations there is both considerable commonality and differences within the denominations and between the denominations. What we have created is a process that will equip a congregation, regardless of denomination, to design their own process to meet their needs, rather than a "canned" search.
Assessment and Discernment
The search process includes both an objective assessment of skills and a subjective discernment of who is called. The discernment phase can only be conducted with a set of candidates who have been qualified according to the search criteria.
The difference between assessment and discernment can be seen in the two samples related to assessing and discerning a call to preach.
Table of Contents
Overview of Assessing Skills and Discerning Calls
Time-line for the Search Process
An Overview of the Search Process
Theological Perspective of the Search Process
Creating a Culture of Love and Hope
Prayers and Blessings for the Search Process
An Appreciative Inquiry Approach to the Search Process
Introduction to Appreciative Inquiry
Assumptions of Appreciative Inquiry
The Appreciative Way and the Search Process
The A to B Appreciative Way Change Fractal
Locating Resources to Modify Performance
Appreciative Inquiry 5D Spiral of Development
Rector Exit Interview
Ministry During the Transitional Time
Are You Ready to Start a Search?
Designing A Transitional Ministry: One Size Doesn't Fit All
Responding to Grief
Responding to Traumatic Events
The Ministries of Forgiveness and Reconciliation
Growing Collaboration in Times of Conflict
Congregational Self-Study and Visioning
Define Phase: Designing an Appreciative Inquiry Summit
Discovery Phase: Creating a Summit Interview
Dream Phase: Exploring What Might Be
Design Phase: Determining What Needs to Be
Clergy Compensation
Establishing the Search Criteria
Choosing A Search Committee
Creating the Parish Profile and Web Site
Parish Feedback Session
Assessing Skills: The Work of the Search Committee
Establishing an Initial List
The Assessment of Skills and Abilities
Crafting Questions
Meeting the Candidates
Typical Parish Visit and Interview Schedule
Interviewing Principles
Designing and Assessing a Simulated Work Product
Assessing Worship Leadership
Checking References
Discerning a Call
Creating “Clear Space” to Discern
Preparing to Engage in Discernment
Simulated Vestry Retreat Discussion
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Quick Links
Purchase Search Manual
Purchase Copyright License
Register Your Search Manual
Obtain access to search exercises and templates.
Search Consultant Training
Obtain in-depth training in Appreciative Inquiry and how to use the search procedures in Assessing Skills and Discerning Calls
What Clients Say
Rob's combination of organizational savvy, teaching skills, theological & spiritual integration, and ability to rapidly build supportive, learning communities is quite simply the best in any of the churches today.
Gray Temple, Episcopal Priest, Author & Coach
The Rev. Robert Voyle was invaluable to making our search process a success. He led the committee members in Appreciative Inquiry exercises to build up the relationships of the team members and to begin to articulate some common understandings of the core values of our diocese.
Rob coached us to keep a clear perspective of what we had discerned as the skills and gifts necessary for our next bishop and to let this guide our work. He was also at the other end of the telephone or email when specific issues came up that would be helped by his experience and knowledge.
Joanna Shreve, Co-Chair Diocese of El Camino Real Bishop Search Committee
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