Calvary Baptist Church of Denver

Step one: Mary Hulst’s retirement

December 2005—A Transition Team was appointed by Moderator Diane Newcom at Mary Hulst’s request. Comprised of former church moderators and Staff Relations Committee members, the team began their exploration.

February 2006—Bruce Greer hired as Transition Pastor

May 2006—Mary Hulst announces Oct. 1, 2006, retirement date

May 2006—Retirement Celebration Team begins meeting

June–September 2006—Pursuit of a Pastoral Search Team led by Moderator Jim Comstock, who stated, "Prayer was foremost in the minds of those selecting the team. Recommendations from the congregation were solicited through several venues. The team would be a diverse mixture of the membership and capable of leading the church through a transforming process."

Summer 2006—Mary Hulst focuses on saying good-bye, presenting thoughtful sermons on timely topics and preparing the congregation for her retirement—a shared journey between Mary and the congregation

August 2006—Staff realignment made to ensure smooth transition

September 2006—Pastoral Search Team slate presented to Council of Ministries for approval

Oct. 1, 2006—A day of celebration of the ministry of the Rev. Mary Armacost Hulst as she retires

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Step two: Finding direction

Oct. 2, 2006—Bruce Greer becomes interim senior minister

Oct. 8, 2006—ABCRM Executive Minister Desmond Hoffmeister speaks to the congregation as a pastor and rededicates the staff

Fall and Advent 2006—Sermons, worship and activities designed with purpose to provide continuity and facilitate transition

Oct. 29, 2006—Pastoral Search Team approved by the congregation

December 2006—Pastoral Search Team begins meeting, and studying the books:
A Change of Pastors by Loren B. Mead
Grounded in God by S.G. Farnham, S.A. Huff and R.T. McLeang

January 2007—Search Committee focuses on team building; defines procedures and processes; organizes work to be completed; develops congregation communication plan; contacts ABCRM regarding procedures, protocols and available resources; holds discussions with other churches that have recently completed a search process

January 2007—Sermons and Annual Meeting focus on church history and celebrate Calvary’s 125th anniversary

Jan. 23, 2007—Update published in the Messenger March 2007

February 2007—Pastoral Search Team meets with ABCRM Executive Minister Desmond Hoffmeister to discuss the search process and gain an understanding of the resources available from ABCRM and the ABCUSA

February/March 2007—Sermons during Lent focus on The Seven Spiritual Gifts of Waiting

March 2007—Rev. Carolyn Waters, Pastor of Christ Church UMC, leads the Pastoral Search Team in discussions on spiritual discernment and concepts of The World Café

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Step three: Self study

• Self-study data gathering

March 2007—Connecting Point Dinners—small group conversations gather input on what is special about Calvary, its strengths, weaknesses and future direction

April 3, 2007—Pastoral Search Inventory introduced in the Messenger

April 17, 2007—Calvary Café: Play with a purpose introduced in the Messenger

April 2007—Pastoral Search Inventory—Calvary members complete a confidential inventory created and tabulated by The Hartford Seminary. The inventory gathers input about Calvary’s organizational characteristics, congregational identity, worship preferences and pastoral leadership.

April/May 2007—Sermons focus on Reaching Beyond …

May 2007—Calvary Café—small group conversations using the concepts of The World Café to envision Calvary’s future

• Complete Church Profile Form

May/June 2007—Pastoral Search Team gathers and compiles data that will be used to develop the Church Profile

July/August—PST shares information gathered in the Self Study with the congregation at summer adult forms on July 22 and August 19

September 18, 2007—Church Profile available on the Web site

• Develop church information packet

July/August 2007—Pastoral Search Team will share information gathered in the Self Study to complete the Church Profile with the congregation at summer adult forums July 22 and August 19, and via a letter

September 2007—Create job description and compensation package, place ads, determine items to be included in the information packet

September 14, 2007—Update published in the Messenger September 2007

September 28, 2007—Senior Pastor job description available on the Web site

Fall 2007—Sermons focus on Grow …

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Step four: Search

The pastoral search process is an open process, but all candidates under consideration must be kept strictly confidential by the Pastoral Search Team.
• Call for pastoral profiles
October 1, 2007—Resumés now accepted
• Gather information
• Identify selection criteria
• Review profiles and questionnaires
• Check references
• Hold interviews
• Evaluate candidates and make recommendation(s)

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Step five: Decision/negotiation

•	Host a visit(s)
•	Discuss expectations/contract negotiation
•	Present candidate—Pastoral Search Team recommends, Council reviews and the congregation votes at a formal business meeting
•	Telephone chosen pastor followed by mailing a formal Letter of Call.
•	If the answer is YES–spread the good news!

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Step six: Installation

• Hold a service of celebration

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Step seven: Start-up

Quoting from A Change of Pastors by Loren B. Mead
•	Build a new ministry in the congregation and in the community "There is work to do when the new pastor arrives—making dreams and plans become flesh and blood. Building teams of clergy and laity committed to actualizing new directions in mission and ministry."
•	Set the framework for productive work together "If the work of activation is done well, the pastor will be in a live connection with the laity, a pastor-lay leadership team will be developing and the scene will be set for a decade or two of creative learning and working."

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