POSITION SPECIFICATION

The Situation

After three years serving as Warden and President of the College of Preachers, the Rev. James C. Fenhagen II has decided to retire by June 2004. The Search Committee, led by Alexander V. Netchvolodoff, Sr. VP of Public Policy for Cox Enterprises, Inc. in Washington, DC, and Vice Chairman of the Governing Board of the College of Preachers, is managing the search for the next Warden.

The College of Preachers was founded in 1929 as a residential educational center to support and strengthen the Ministry of Proclamation in the life of the Church. The Warden serves as a member of the PECF Trustees' Committee on Foundation Strategy.  It seeks to be a center to enhance the discipline of homiletics in cooperation with other institutions that share a common vision. 

The College of Preachers is an Episcopal institution that is part of the Protestant Episcopal Cathedral Foundation (PECF) in Washington, DC. Its programs are ecumenical with the aim of strengthening the ability for both clergy and laity to proclaim and articulate their faith in the world in which they live and work. The core programs of the College include the twenty-plus, five-day preaching conferences held throughout the year. These conferences, for up to thirty participants, are led by renowned homileticians and preachers from around the country who are assisted by an ecumenical adjunct faculty. Participants are drawn from all parts of the country and represent a broad ecumenical spectrum. Those seeking a more intensive experience may enroll in a program in which they take designated conferences over a period of three years and work in their home congregation under the guidance of a College faculty member. In 2003-2004, in conjunction with the Alban Institute, the College for the first time is sponsoring a program of two related conferences for lay people seeking to deepen their commitment to a ministry of reconciliation.

The College also sponsors six fellows a year, two each in the fall, winter, and spring who are resident at the College for six weeks working on approved projects in the general area of homiletics and proclamation.

The College is currently in conversations with Virginia Theological Seminary and Welsley Theological Seminary developing a D.Min. program in Preaching and Communication in which participants will receive credit for certain conferences taken at the College. This will be the first time that the College will be part of a degree program.

In addition to these programs, the College has an important ministry of hospitality. It welcomes some 600 visitors each year, including many who spend one or more nights, who come as members of national church groups, church vestries, groups practicing quiet days or retreats and other non profit, business, or governmental groups. These groups are attracted by the atmosphere of the College and leave with a feeling of restoration and renewal.

The College of Preachers is one of five PECF institutions located on Mount Alban in Washington, DC. The other institutions are the Washington National Cathedral, St. Alban’s School for Boys, National Cathedral School for Girls, and Beauvoir Elementary School. All of these institutions are part of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington.

John Chane, Bishop of the Diocese of Washington, is taking an active interest in the College of Preachers as a leading resource for developing excellence in preaching not only for the Episcopal Church but also for leaders in other faith traditions.

Attractions

The College of Preachers is a special place and a venerable institution. It has a long and respected reputation for programmatic excellence and hospitality and is unlike any other institution in the Episcopal Church. This is an important and opportune time to take over the leadership of the College.

The Warden position offers the opportunity for an individual to lead a unique institution and be involved in the national Church, to train the leadership of the Church, and to influence future directions of the Church.

There is a lot of new energy and creativity on the Cathedral Close at this time. Bishop Chane, who was consecrated in 2002, has some very exciting plans for the Diocese to reach out to both Church and State. There will be new opportunities to form relationships with the other institutions because there will be a new Dean of the National Cathedral and a new Headmistress at National Cathedral School within the next year. All this will add to the excitement of being a part of the team.

The College is a crossroads of the Church. A cast of exceptional people is involved as volunteers and staff, and the faculty and participants in the College’s programs are people of high achievement and vision.

The Warden’s position comes with a charming three-bedroom house on the Close. While private and nicely situated on the grounds, the house is ideal for entertaining.

Critical Issues

Fundraising is a high priority. Developing new sources of revenue and building up the Endowment will ensure the financial viability of the College for the future. The financial oversight of the College is complicated by it being one of the institutions of the PECF.

The College physical plant needs upgrading. Not only has building maintenance been deferred but also there is a need to install modern conveniences.

The College needs to continue its ecumenical and outreach efforts to be involved in the Church as a whole without losing its Anglican identity. More civic involvement, corporate partnerships, and alliances with other educational institutions will move the College into active participation with the larger world.

The Governing Board needs to be more proactive in oversight and fundraising.

The Position

As chief executive officer, the Warden serves both as spiritual and administrative leader of the College of Preachers. The Warden executes the mission of the College and provides oversight of programmatic, administrative, financial, development, and physical operations. The Warden serves as primary liaison to the Governing Board and as public representative of the College of Preachers on the Cathedral Close and throughout the Church.

The Warden is accountable to the Governing Board for the specific work of the College and interacts with the chapter of the Protestant Episcopal Cathedral Foundation, the Dean and Bishop of the Diocese of Washington in accordance with established criteria.

Program

• Gives oversight to and develops the spiritual life of the College and represents the College as a spiritual and hospitable community to the outside world through personal and public prayer, theological reflection and interpretation, participation in the sacramental life, regular preaching, and integrity of life.
• Oversees the design and implementation of all programmatic aspects of the College.
• Communicates the mission of the College to the Church and the world.

Administrative

• Oversees the College’s operating budget of about $1.3 million.
• Supervises seven full-time staff of the College.
• Ensures ongoing, regular communication with staff and ensures ongoing education, development, formation, and training of staff members.
• Serves as Ex-officio (voting) member of the Governing Board of the College of Preachers and of its Executive Committee.
• Together with the Chairman of the Governing Board, brings clarity to and oversees the relationship among Board, Chair, and staff and how each body interacts.
• Works with the Chair and Executive Committee members to create meeting agendas.
• Performs other responsibilities and duties as assigned by the Governing Board.

Development

• Participates with the Governing Board in ongoing development strategy and initiatives.
• Develops new sources of funding. Makes fundraising calls.

Other

• With the Chair of the Governing Board, the Warden participates in the wider life of the Protestant Episcopal Cathedral Foundation.

 Qualifications

The ideal candidate should have:

• a commitment to the Church and an appreciation for the important role of proclamation in a faith community.
• strong administrative skills, including strategic planning, program development, staff management, financial management, and development.
• experience with fundraising within the Church.
• an energetic personality who can motivate others.

 The ideal candidate should be:

• entrepreneurial; not afraid to try new things.
• a people person; comfortable with all sorts of people and one who likes to be out among others.
• a good preacher.
• comfortable heading an important organization with a small staff.
• an Episcopalian and known well within the Episcopal Church.
• a spiritual leader with a strong prayer life.

Candidates and sources, please communicate with:
Bob Sellery or Katie Wilson, Robert Sellery Associates, Ltd.
1050 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., 10th Floor
Washington, D.C. 20036.
Email: wilson@sellery.com, sellery@sellery.com
FAX 202.333.1167
Telephone: 202.331.0090
All inquiries will be kept in strict confidence.

ROBERT SELLERY ASSOCIATES, LTD.
1050 CONNECTICUT AVENUE, N.W. , 10TH FLOOR     WASHINGTON, D.C. 20036     202.331.0090
sellery@sellery.com