Greetings from your Conference Minister Search Team!
Our last report to you was in early June at the Conference Annual Gathering and through an electronic mailing across the Conference. Let's bring you up to date in late August.
In our first 60-day profile run from mid-January to mid-March, we received seventeen profiles, but did not find "our candidate" to recommend. We reopened the search process to extend from mid-June to mid-August. We've received fifteen new profiles - women and men of a wide variety of racial and regional backgrounds, orientations and professional experiences. Four of our nine-member Search Team attended General Synod in Cleveland in late June, and our contacts and presentations there facilitated a positive "buzz" which aided the cause of Missouri Mid-South Conference, particularly in this search. Since Synod, we've initiate a number of GotoMeeting interviews, reference checks, national networking and candidate vetting. We've encouraged the current candidate pool to complete their applications as soon as possible. We are talking with some very bright, capable, creative and faithful people. This week, we placed a "hold on profiles", to discern God's call and guidance.
Here's where we are!
Of the fifteen applicants:
- three candidates chose not to continue their search with us
- five candidates were eliminated from the search by the Team
- five candidates are still in the midst of the application and vetting process
- two candidates are scheduled to come to Missouri, each for a day-long, deeper interview
Our Search Team is excited, reinvigorated and hope-filled. We are moving forward and meeting frequently. Our recommendation to you will be a unanimous one.
We are eager about God's vision for the future of this Conference and we see tremendous gifts and opportunities stretching before us. The Conference as a whole is in a healthy and positive place due in large measure to the excellent work of our Conference staff - lay and ordained - and through the gratifying, inspiring efforts of so many people across the Conference who've stepped up with time, talent, imagination and treasure.
Keep us in your prayers as we keep you in ours. Come, Holy Spirit!
David Mehl, chair
Laura Mignerone, vice chair
Lorin Cope, Wayne Hoffman, Elaine Hudson, Linda Stenger,
Sonya Vann, Lloyd Viehland, Karen Watson
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