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by Eric Anderson
HARTFORD (06/27/2012) -- The Conference Minister Search Committee released the Conference Profile today on the Connecticut Conference website at ctucc.org/cmprofile. The twenty-page document is the product of nearly a year of research, conversation, feedback, prayer, and discernment on the part of the Committee, the Board of Directors, and many members of Connecticut's UCC churches.
"Today we find ourselves awaiting a new leader," reads part of the profile's introduction. "It is not a leader who will help us recreate our past that we seek. Rather we hope to find a leader who is able to show us where courageous, engaged, dynamic faithfulness is yet needed in our world."
"I'm ready to run up and down the highway waving, saying, 'It's done! It's done!'" laughed the Rev. Gordon Rankin, search committee chair. "We hope it's an enticing piece that draws people into consider that Connecticut might be a future home for them... We did try to make sure we offered some balance, letting people know what are some of the challenges we face in Connecticut as well."
The committee chose James Baker, the same artist who designs the print edition of ConnTact, to create a striking, attractive Conference profile document. The final product vindicates the decision. The combination of text, photos, graphic elements, and even embedded links to additional material on the Internet -- including a six-minute video -- surveys the mission, priorities, ministries, setting, and finances of the Conference clearly and engagingly.
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An invitation to LEAD Video production by Eric Anderson |
Throughout the profile, each committee member has offered a word on "what we need" in a Conference Minister: "Fearlessness." "Humility." "Inclusivity." "Persistence." "A bias toward youth." "Communication." "A servant." "Courage." "Trust."
At this stage, the Search Committee has "deputized" the entire Conference to help with recruitment. Rankin encouraged members to review the profile for themselves, and to reflect prayerfully on people who might be a good match. If they think of someone, said Rankin, they should call that person, suggest they apply, and tell them the reasons they believe so. It may well stimulate a sense of calling.
The Search Committee has widely shared information with the Conference to date, but it has now entered "a new phase where the boundaries are different," Rankin said, "because we're dealing with real live people." The committee will be able to issue progress reports, but will not comment on any particular individual -- including whether a person has, or has not, applied for the position.
The committee will accept candidate applications from July 1 through September 30.
The Rev. Eric S. Anderson is Minister of Communications and Technology for the Connecticut Conference UCC.
