Rector Discernment Process

Church of the Incarnation

3966 McKinney Ave

Dallas, Texas 75204

214-521-5101

Sunday Services:
7:30 a.m. (Traditional)
9 a.m. (Traditional & Contemporary)
11:15 a.m. (Trad. & Contemp.)
5 p.m. (Choral Evensong)

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The Process
Get Involved
Updates
FAQs
Meet our Committee

The Church of the Incarnation has begun the important and prayerful process of discerning and calling its next rector. Guided by the Holy Spirit, our Discernment Committee, Vestry, and parish community will work together to identify the priest who will lead our church into its next chapter.

This page will serve as a central resource for information about the rector search, including the discernment process, committee members, parish participation opportunities, and regular updates.

TAKE SURVEY

Understanding the Rector Search Process

ORGANIZING AND
PREPARING

PHASE ONE:
ORGANIZING AND PREPARING

Discernment Committee formed in October 2026.
Committee responsibilities and operating procedures established.
Subcommittees organized around communications, listening, survey, parish profile, recruitment, and candidate evaluation/visitation.

SURVEYING AND LISTENING
TO THE PARISH

PHASE TWO:
SURVEYING AND LISTENING
TO THE PARISH

Conduct a parish-wide survey to gather input about COTI's strengths, challenges, ministries, and future.
Host listening sessions with parish organizations and ministries.
Share a summary of key themes with parishioners.

DEVELOPING THE
PARISH PROFILE

PHASE THREE:
DEVELOPING THE PARISH PROFILE

Incorporate information from the survey and listening sessions.
Include the parish's history, mission, ministries, demographics, financial overview, and future priorities.
Feature photographs of parish life, worship, outreach, and ministry.
Publish the Parish Profile on the website for parishioners and prospective candidates.

ACCEPTING
RECTOR APPPLICATIONS

PHASE FOUR:
ACCEPTING RECTOR APPPLICATIONS

Provide an application form and instructions once the process opens for interested priests.
Applications will be accepted for a six weeks.
Coordinate recruitment and candidate procedures with the Diocese.

INTERVIEWING AND
EVALUATING CANDIDATES

PHASE FIVE:
EVALUATING CANDIDATES

Review candidate materials and qualifications.
Conduct interviews and conversations.
Complete appropriate reference checks and visits.
Maintain confidentiality to protect candidates and their current congregations.

DISCERNMENT AND
RECOMMENDATION

PHASE SIX:
DISCERNMENT AND RECOMMENDATION

Evaluate candidates through prayer, discussion, and discernment.
Recommend a candidate to the Vestry. The Vestry considers the recommendation and undertakes its responsibilities for the call.
Complete required diocesan consultation and approvals.
Announce the new rector when the call has been finalized and the appropriate parties are ready to share the news.

How do I get involved?

Participation from the congregation is one of the most important parts of this process.
We need your input and perspectives!

Survey graphic over image of stained glass

PARISH-WIDE
SURVEY

PARISH-WIDE SURVEY

The parish-wide survey will be open from November 10 through December 1. Through the survey we want to understand:

What parishioners value most about our church
What are our strengths and opportunities for growth
What are our hopes for the future
And what qualities we will need in our next rector

Ear graphic over image of two priests talking

LISTENING
SESSIONS

LISTENING SESSIONS

We will host listening sessions with parish organizations and ministries to learn more about our strengths, challenges, ministries, and future.

As listening sessions are scheduled, details will be announced here.

Ballot box graphic over image of communion

RECOMMEND A CANDIDATE

RECOMMEND A CANDIDATE

We are collecting names of Rector candidates, and our parishioners are our best resource! If you have a potential candidate, please it to the RDC. After the RDC receives a name, all discussions, including determining eligibility and interest of the candidate in the position, will be kept confidential.

JOIN US
IN PRAYER

JOIN US IN PRAYER

We invite you to join us in prayer throughout this process. Please pray for:

The Discernment Committee
The Vestry
The Candidates
The Parish

Transition Updates

Oct 2, 2026

Announcing Our Rector Discernment Committee

As we navigate this momentous season in the life of our parish, we are writing to share an important milestone in...

Jul 14, 2026

The search for Incarnation's next Rector is underway. Learn about the leadership of the Rector Discernment...

Frequently Asked Questions

In the Episcopal Church, calling a rector is more than a traditional hiring process. We aren't just looking for a leader, we are looking for someone to live among us. It's a time of discernment; prayerfully listening for where God is leading our parish and who may be called to lead us.

What is a rector?

A rector is the priest called to provide spiritual, pastoral, and organizational leadership to a parish. The rector oversees worship, preaching, pastoral care, and the congregation's ministries, working in partnership with the Vestry and parish leadership.

How does the Episcopal Church select a new rector?

In the Episcopal Church, calling a rector is a process of prayerful discernment rather than a traditional hiring process. The Vestry has responsibility for calling a rector, working in consultation with the Bishop and in accordance with diocesan and church requirements. A Discernment Committee typically assists by gathering parish input, identifying and evaluating candidates, and making a recommendation.

What is the role of the Discernment Committee?

The Discernment Committee helps the parish identify the qualities, experience, and leadership needed in its next rector. The committee gathers input from parishioners, develops the Parish Profile, reviews candidates, conducts interviews, and recommends a candidate to the Vestry.

What is the role of the Vestry?

The Vestry is the parish's elected governing body and is responsible for making the final decision to call a rector, subject to applicable Episcopal Church and diocesan requirements. The Discernment Committee recommends a candidate, but does not independently appoint the rector.

What role does the Bishop or Diocese play?

The Bishop and Diocese provide guidance and oversight during the search. Their involvement may include consultation about the search process, clergy eligibility and standing, required background checks, and the steps necessary before a rector is called.

Why is the process called discernment rather than a search or hiring process?

Discernment emphasizes prayerfully seeking God's guidance in determining the right spiritual leader for the parish. Although the process includes activities similar to a professional search, such as interviews and reference checks, it also emphasizes spiritual reflection, listening, and mutual understanding.

How long will the rector discernment process take?

There is no guaranteed timeline. The process involves parish input, development of the Parish Profile, candidate recruitment, interviews, and prayerful discernment. The committee is committed to conducting a thorough and thoughtful process rather than rushing toward a particular deadline.

How can parishioners participate?

Parishioners can participate by completing the parish-wide survey, attending listening sessions, and praying for the Discernment Committee, Vestry, and prospective candidates. If you have a candidate you would like to recommend to the committee you may email it to the RDC.

What is a Parish Profile, and why is it important?

The Parish Profile is a document describing the church's history, mission, ministries, congregation, strengths, challenges, and aspirations. It helps potential candidates understand the parish and gives parishioners an opportunity to see how their input has shaped the search.

Can parishioners recommend a candidate?

We are collecting names of Rector candidates, and our parishioners are our best resource! If you have a potential candidate, please email it to the RDC. After the RDC receives a name, all discussions, including determining eligibility and interest of the candidate in the position, will be kept confidential.

Will the names of candidates be shared with the congregation?

Candidate identities remain confidential during the search. This protects clergy who may be serving other congregations and allows the Discernment Committee to conduct candid and respectful evaluations. The parish will receive updates about the process without without the disclosure of any individual candidate information or information about the candidate pool, including number of candidates or general demographic information.

Will parishioners vote on the next rector?

Under the usual Episcopal parish process, the Vestry is responsible for calling the rector, rather than a parish-wide vote. Parishioners contribute to the discernment through surveys, listening sessions, and other opportunities for input.

What happens after the Discernment Committee makes its recommendation?

The Vestry considers the committee's recommendation and determines whether to extend a call, following applicable diocesan requirements. Once a call has been accepted and the necessary steps are completed, the parish can announce its new rector and share information about the transition and eventual installation.

How will the parish be kept informed?

Updates will be posted regularly on the Rector Search webpage and may also be shared through parish emails, newsletters, and announcements. While candidate information must remain confidential, the committee is committed to communicating significant milestones and next steps.

Who can I contact with questions about the search?

You may reach out to the committee with any questions and feedback through .

The Rector Discernment Committee

In October 2026, the Vestry appointed a 12-member Discernment Committee to lead the search and discernment process. The committee is charged with listening to the parish, developing an understanding of our community's hopes and needs, identifying and evaluating potential candidates, and ultimately recommending a candidate to the Vestry for consideration.