Senior Minister Position to be filled LOCAL CHURCH PROFILE FOR LOCAL CHURCHES SEEKING NEW LEADERS

1. Church: Old South Church in 2. Address: 645 City: Boston, MA 02116 www.oldsouth.org

3. Name of Search Committee Chairperson: Lawrence R. Bowers, 40 Grove Street #260, Wellesley, MA 02482 781-237-9604 [email protected] UCC applicants need to contact the MBA office to have their profiles submitted.

4. Conference Staff Person Assisting Our Church: (MBA) The Rev. Thomas Clough, 14 Beacon Street #203, Boston, MA 02108 617-742-4450 [email protected]

MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION

5. Membership: (If information is not available, put n/a or estimate and put est.) Last Year 5 Years Ago 10 Years Ago a. # Church members 663 602 622 b. Average attendance at worship 252 225 est. 200 est. c. Average participation of children/youth in C.E. 70 est. 50 est. 30 est. d. Average weekly participation in adult education 14 8 8 e. # Members who are ordained clergy 13 10 est. 8 est.

6. Profile of Congregation: a. Age: (from survey results plus records) c. Family units: (from survey results) 8 % ages 0-5 19 % couples with children at home 10 % ages 6-18 31 % couples without children at home 10 % ages 19-34 45 % single 27 % ages 35-49 4 % single parent with children at home 19 % ages 50-64 1 % three generations 18 % ages 65-74 8 % ages 75 + d. Occupation of adults: (survey) b. Education level of adults: (survey)* 23 % business 0 % completed less than high school 6 % clerical 3 % high school graduates 1 % laborer/manufacturing 6 % some college/vocational school 58 % professional/technical 25 % college graduates 7 % sales 66 % graduate school 4 % service *Highest educational level in the household 1 % trades/crafts

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e. Employment: (survey) f. Racial-ethnic makeup: 53 % employed full time 91% White households 13 % employed part time Percent of households reporting at least _5 % not currently employed one member identified as: 29 % retired 3% African-American 2% Asian-American 1% Latino 3% Other

CHURCH FINANCES

Last Year 5 Years Ago 10 Years Ago 7. Total Church Income 1,207,608 674,530 629,719 a. Members’ offerings and pledges 376,316 298,875 299,075 b. Interest from investment or endowments 740,407 289,620 271,758 c. Principal reduction (endowments or 64,331 0 0 investments) d. Rentals & Other (includes Mt. Vernon*) 84,247 80,535 53,189 e. Special Fundraising 6,638 5,500 5,697 *For information on Mt. Vernon, see # 10.1 on page 3 and concluding essay. Last Year 5 Years Ago 10 Years Ago 8. Total Operating Budget 1,271,939 647,867 636,451 a. Our Church’s Wider Mission Basic Support 5,100 3,700 n/a b. Our Church’s Wider Mission Special Support 26,900 2,414 n/a c. Other gifts (See # 10.2 on p. 3) 107,625 33,309 51,225 d. Current local expenses 1,132,314 608,444 585,226

9. Identify special offerings the church has throughout the year and the amounts from last year: Neighbors in Need: $ 1,954 The Christmas Fund 838 One Great Hour of Sharing 2,985 Blanket Drive 692

10. Name the most significant local missions/ministries or agencies that were financially supported by your local church last year and the amount of support:

Name Amount 1. UCC Mission OLD SOUTH CHURCH: · Our Church’s Wider Mission $ 5,000 · City Mission Society 4,000 · City Mission Society, prison ministries 2,000 · UCC Committee on Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, & Transgendered Issues 1,000 · OCWM Congo Relief 1,000 · OCWM Afghanistan 300 Sub total $ 13,300

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MOUNT VERNON CHURCH*: · City Mission Society $ 3,000 · Andover Newton 3,000 · The Rev. R. Christenson Fund 3,500 · Congregational Library 2,000 Sub total $ 11,500

*Mount Vernon is a legally separate church. Old South and Mt. Vernon have functioned as federated congregations since 1970. Today, most Mt. Vernon members were originally OSC members and hold dual membership. See concluding essay for more information.

2. Local Missions Old South Church focuses its charitable giving on basic human needs and social justice. In 2002 Old South Church made grants to organizations in the following categories: # of Grants

· Hunger and Homelessness 20 $ 42,385 · Elder Care and Services 7 12,000 · AIDS Outreach 4 14,000 · Ecumenical Participation* 3 30,300 · Children Services 4 12,000 · Domestic Violence 2 6,000 · Other 9 18,800 Total of 49 grants $ 135,485

*Amounts shown include Mt. Vernon grants totaling $23,500. “Ecumenical Participation” includes funds listed in Question #1, UCC Mission.

3. NON-LOCAL MISSIONS: Please refer to Question # 10, sub-heading 1, p. 2.

4. FELLOWSHIP DUES: Paid to Metropolitan Boston Association, UCC…$ 8,778

11. Indebtedness:

a. Total amount of capital debt: $ None b. Total amount of other debt: $ None c. Are capital and other payments current? X yes no

12. Capital Campaigns:

a. If the church has had capital campaigns in the last ten years, note goal and results: NA

b. If a capital campaign is underway or anticipated, describe it:

Old South is considering a capital campaign that would be held after the new Senior Minister is installed. (See the discussion of the Church’s long-term planning process in the response to Question #22 below.)

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13. Assets held by the Church:

a. Reserves (savings)/b. Endowments/Investments: (December 31, 2002):

Board of Trustees: Endowment $ 12,730,510 Building Reserve 1,223,771 Deacon Funds 795,958 Council Funds 252,974 $ 15,003,213

These assets include both unrestricted funds and funds that are restricted to specified purposes. The investment policy of the Church provides for about 4% of the Endowment funds to be withdrawn each year for the operations of the Church. The Building Reserve is to be used for significant repair and maintenance projects on the Church facilities. (The above figures do not include the separate funds of the Mount Vernon Church. See concluding essay.)

c. Describe buildings and property:

Located in historic in the Back Bay section of Boston, the present Old South Church itself and the Gordon House were built in 1875, with two buildings subsequently added. Built of Roxbury puddingstone, the church is a fine example of Venetian Gothic ecclesiastical architecture, popularized in the late nineteenth century by in The Stones of . On the front portico is inscribed: “Behold I Set Before You an Open Door.” Rising 230 feet, the church’s stone tower is a Boston landmark. An E. M. Skinner symphonic organ with 124 ranks and 8,500 organ pipes provides the primary instrumental music for worship and concerts. Old South fully restored the sanctuary in 1985 and extensively restored the exterior in 2001. With its own classic Gothic chapel and pipe organ, the connected Gordon Chapel building, constructed in 1932, externally resembles the church and Gordon House. Gordon House, the Gordon Chapel, and a connected Parish House contain a library, conference rooms, a number of offices and Church School and Preschool classrooms, along with two meeting halls and three kitchens. The Church also owns substantial colonial era collections of rare books and communion silver, housed respectively at the and the Boston Museum of Fine Arts.

d. If a building project is underway, describe it:

The Church completed a major restoration program on the exterior of the building in 2001. Significant interior projects are scheduled for the next few years. Depending on the timing of the projects, the building reserve should be sufficient to cover these expenses. However, the scale and age of the buildings will require continuing capital reserve planning to provide for regular maintenance and future capital restorations.

e. If the church owns a parsonage, describe it: NA

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FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF MINISTERIAL LEADERS

14. If your conference has compensation guidelines, do you follow them?

X yes no (or exceed them) Inapplicable questions omitted.

15. Salary History:

To provide a profile of salaries for the position you are seeking to fill, indicate salaries at the beginning and ending of the ministers’ tenure. Do not include interim position. If a parsonage is provided, insert the letter “P” in the space provided. Provide information for the last 3 leaders or the last ten years. Rev. Crawford was called in 1974. History is given for the last ten years. Start Date End Date 1992 Salary Housing Parsonage 2002 Salary Housing Parsonage Compensation met Conference guidelines. Compensation exceeded Conference guidelines. (The Church has only recently begun to designate a separate allowance for FICA.)

16. During the above period, has your church failed to fulfill its financial obligations to its pastor? yes X no If yes, please comment.

17. Salary, Benefits, and Expenses Offered: Compensation package will be negotiated to meet or exceed Conference guidelines.

COMMUNITY CHARACTERISTICS

18. Population:

a. Total population of city or town in which your church is located: Boston: 589,191 (US Census 2000) (However, Old South draws its members from the entire metropolitan region.) b. Describe the population by racial-ethnic category and identify the source:

White: 54.48%; Black/African-American: 25.33%; Hispanic: 14.44%; Asian 7.52%; Other: 8.23%. (Total exceeds 100% because respondents may identify themselves as being of more than one classification.) US Census 2000

19. Economic Factors:

Identify major sources of employment/income in your community:

The largest employing industries are, in descending order: Health Care, Real Estate/Finance/Insurance, Higher Education, and High Technology.

20. General Description:

a. Describe three distinctive attributes of your community:

i. Historic and tourist “hub,” convenient to most of New England;

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ii. Walkable urban center with excellent public transportation and diverse neighborhoods; iii. Major cultural and academic center with symphony, ballet, opera, Boston Pops, museums, theater, professional sports teams, and over 50 colleges and graduate schools. b. Identify major trends you envision in your community during the next five years: i. Continued gentrification, driving people of middle income or lesser means from city; ii. Economic expansion in high technology industry and among higher education institutions with dramatic potential impact on Boston area; iii. Continued redevelopment in the city and expans ion of the suburbs. c. List three or four problem areas confronting your community that members feel your church should address: i. Seeking and actively participating in ecumenical solutions to deficits in housing, food, medical care, and other necessities for dignity, which marginalize elders, children, persons living with AIDS, immigrants, people of color, and others in need. ii. Mediating Christ’s grace to affirm each individual as a child of God. iii. Reaching out to the unchurched. d. Indicate Mission activities:

1. In which your church participates as a part of its mission in the community:

The Old South Church is active and dedicated to Christian service and outreach. Our continuing commitment to living the Christian faith by serving others and building a world of justice and peace takes shape in the following ways:

WE GATHER in a loving, affirming community to worship God and to celebrate our faith. · We join in hymns and prayers, in covenant and confession, and in attention to the Word of God, expressed in sacraments, scripture, and sermons. · We rise to new insights into God’s realm on the wings of glorious music. · We explore the grace of God and its meaning to our lives by study, sharing, arts, theater, and forums on social justice concerns, both local and global. · We expand a loving, inclusive community, faithful to the scripture carved on our portico, “Behold I Set Before You an Open Door.”

WE SERVE those in need, responding to the Biblical call to do justice and love mercy. · We help build houses with Habitat for Humanity. · We prepare and serve a monthly meal at Sunday’s Bread. · We partner with men in transition out of incarceration. · We encourage individual and collective volunteer service to local agencies.

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WE GIVE of our financial resources to those in need. · We give grants to over 40 local non-profit organizations . · We have an alternative-giving program to encourage charitable giving in lieu of a traditional gift. · We organize seasonal collections for clothing, food, toys, books, coins, and blankets.

WE JOIN together with ecumenical and interfaith partners to work for a better community. · We organize for social action through membership and active participation in the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization. · We share in the covenantal life and work of our UCC Association, the City Mission Society, and other denominational partners. · We participate in Cooperative Metropolitan Ministries Urban/Suburban Dinners and Dialogue. · We support legislative initiatives of the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless.

2. Describe the manner in which your church expects the leader you are now seeking to participate in community mission:

Old South understands and expects that the Senior Minister would from time to time undertake major community leadership responsibilities determined by interest, gifts, and the Christian service and outreach priorities of this Church. We do expect the Senior Minister to be a positive force in strengthening our community ties. e. Describe how your church building is now being used by the community:

Aside from the Main Sanctuary (which thousands of people visit each year) the Gordon Chapel and Gordon House provide wonderful sites for meetings and events. Old South offers an extensive program of concerts and theater open to the community. The Church also operates the Old South Preschool from September to June on the third floor of the Parish House.

The groups and organizations performing some of their social, educational, and musical ministry in Old South Church include: Haymarket People’s Fund, Mount Holyoke College Glee Club, Rosie’s Place (shelter for abused women), Concordia Choir, Women’s Theological Center, Horizons Initiative (homeless services), MATCH-UP Interfaith Volunteers (services to isolated elders), Boston Early Music Festival, Fisher College, the Pride Interfaith Coalition, Perkins School for the Blind, Princeton- Snowden Mentoring Program, Boston Aging Concerns, Fenway Community Health Center, Cambridge Society for Early Music, Boston Senior Home Care, Back Bay Chorale, Greater Boston Choral Consortium, American Institute of Organ Builders, and Community Works (an alternative to the United Way).

The groups that regularly use space in the church (and with whom we have more formal agreements) are three weekly Alcoholics Anonymous groups, Amnesty International’s monthly letter writing workshop, Boston Children’s Theater, Boston Choral Ensemble, Chorus pro Musica, the Cub Scouts, the Long-term AIDS Survivors Group, Pine Street Inn (homeless services), Poor People’s United Fund, and Snowden International High School’s public high school classes and theater program.

f. Indicate the number of school districts from which members of your church are drawn:

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one two X three or more

CONGREGATIONAL LIFE

21. Identify trends you envision in your church in the next five years:

Although we have experienced substantial turnover as members move into and out of the city, Old South has grown gradually over the last decade in members hip, program financial stability, and resources. As a metropolitan congregation, we continue to recruit our membership from the entire Greater Boston area. Looking ahead, there is strong interest in expanding our membership. We have joined the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization, a regional ecumenical initiative for social justice. We expect our participation will connect us even more deeply to the Boston community.

22. Planning:

a. All churches do planning. How would you characterize the way planning is done in your church?

The Church conducts an annual planning and budgeting process in the fall that includes projections for the next three years. Thus, the budget for the following year, say 2004, is prepared in the context of expected revenues and expenses in 2005 and 2006. Long-term planning is done periodically. Following Old South’s emergence from the real estate slump and financial crisis in the early 1990’s, the Old South Council called for development of a long-range plan in November 1994, appointing a committee to implement the planning process. In 1996, the Congregation approved the resulting five- year New Century Plan.

To address a significant component of the Plan, Council commissioned Campbell & Company to conduct a philanthropic market study. The Campbell Report, issued in January 2001, found that basic “visioning” should be performed within the congregation before the contemplated capital campaign could be successfully undertaken. As a result, the Vision Process Planning Committee (“VPPC”) was formed in 2001 to develop a plan for the new planning and visioning process. The VPPC presented its finding to Council in 2002 with regard to the five core missions of Old South: Worship (and Music), Christian Education, Outreach, Fellows hip, and Pastoral Care.

Senior Minister Jim Crawford’s retirement in August, 2002 coincided with the next phase of the visioning process—the actual planning stage. The congregational survey results set forth herein concerning the most valued characteristics of our next Senior Minister are consistent with the findings of the VPPC. In sum, the VPPC concluded that Old South is at a point where we can “stretch our arms and flex our muscles”--while understanding that at present, it is very much “a Big City church, with a Small Town feel.”

b. What expectations do you have of the person you are seeking in relation to the planning that takes place?

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We see the next Senior Minister as a leader with the vision to work with the congregation, Council, Trustees, and Deacons to address both immediate and long-term planning issues concerning the five core missions of Old South (see above, 22a). We envision a leader who is able to muster the necessary talents and resources within the Church in order to galvanize support for a capital campaign. There are many operating and programmatic matters that Old South is currently constrained from adequately addressing over the long term without increasing our capital base, as well as annual congregational giving.

23. Refle ction on Congregational Life:

a. Identify the three most important events in the history of your church and the year:

i. Leadership role in the evolution of civil rights during the Colonial era from opposition/atonement for the Salem Witch Trials, through numerous meetings seeking peaceful solutions to the crisis with Great Britain, culminating in the Boston Tea Party and the seizure of our meetinghouse to be a school for British dragoons. 1669-1775

ii. Flight from our downtown Boston meetinghouse to the quiet and safety of the newly developed suburban Back Bay to avoid urban problems, until the city’s expansion enveloped the Church, recalling us to an urban ministry. 1869+

iii. Financial crash of Church’s real estate investments, imperiling financial solvency, redeemed when the Church successfully managed and then sold the real estate investments. 1991-1997

b. Identify the most challenging event in the life of your church in the last three years and what the church learned from it:

The repercussions of the financial crisis of the early 1990s led to stricter financial controls, expanded roles for volunteers, and strengthened congregational giving.

c. Identify what the congregation intends to accomplish during the next three years:

i. Promoting stewardship and membership growth;

ii. Seeing the Church’s commitment to diversity become an increasing reality--becoming a community, which includes a greater diversity of backgrounds;

iii. Increasing the visibility of Christians who live out Christ’s message of justice and peace.

d. Describe how the church expects the person you are seeking to help your church reach these goals:

i. By providing outstanding Christian preaching;

ii. By providing leadership, aspiring to excellence in worship, program, pastoral care, and outreach;

iii. By providing leadership in the affirmation of every individual within our community.

e. Chose the statement that most accurately describes the theological/faith stance of your church: You may check more than one.

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We tend to be theologically conservative. We tend to be theologically moderate to conservative. We tend to be theologically moderate. We tend to be theologically moderate to liberal. X We tend to be theologically liberal. We tend to be quite diverse theologically. X Other:

Old South prizes a high Christology and a formal liturgy, but with the elements of an inclusionary hymnal and a dedication to the policy of open and affirming. The only qualification for membership is to be a follower of Jesus Christ, sincerely desiring to be part of this church. f. Describe the educational program of your church:

Old South’s educational programs promote the growth of persons into the life and mission of Christian faith, helping them to develop an understanding of Christian theology, a personal relationship with God, the will to do God’s work, and compassion for God’s people everywhere. Programmatically, this includes Church School for the children, a post-confirmation Youth Group, and Bible study classes for adults, both as separate programs and within our fellowship groups. Currently the Church School uses the new UCC curriculum, “Seasons of the Spirit,” an inclusive, ecumenical curriculum with an international focus. To promote family worship, children and their families hold convocation the hour prior to Church School. To affirm them as part of the congregation, the Church School attends the first part of the worship service two to three Sundays per month. Accompanying themselves with Orff instruments, the children sing several times during the year at the church service, and a Children’s Chime Choir performs from time to time. The post- confirmation Youth Group meets each Sunday for discussion and action around issues of faith and to plan community service projects. The Youth Group, Confirmation Class, or both take responsibility for one church service each spring.

The Adult Education program includes an adult Bible class each Sunday morning at 10:00 a.m., usually led by the Assistant Minister or a pastoral intern. Fellowship group retreats, book discussions, programs for parental discussions, loss and transition workshops, grief workshops, and evening Bible study are scheduled periodically. Church fellowship groups routinely include Biblical and theological discussions. The Church hosts “moments for mission” during worship and frequent forums on social justice issues. We also offer an extensive program of concerts, theater, writing workshops, and othe r arts programming.

Originally started as two half-days of child care per week for the families of returning GI’s after World War II, the Old South Preschool’s non-sectarian program has evolved a developmentally appropriate philosophy, serving working families in the community. A financially self-sufficient school with an emphatically educational mission rather than day care, the program follows and is limited to the school year. g. Describe how the church expects the person you are seeking to participate in the congregation’s educational programs:

We anticipate that the Senior Minister would provide vision and support for the Christian Education program, with biennial leadership (currently one weekend) within

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the Confirmation program, occasional participation in the Church’s fellowship groups, and the teaching of an annual six-session adult program, such as a Lenten program, or equivalent.

h. Describe how programs or ministries of your church are evaluated:

Programs and ministries generally fall under the immediate oversight of standing committees, which are responsible for their review, revision, renewal, restructuring, or replacement. In consultation with staff, the Church Council sets priorities and coordinates the overall program, providing a major evaluative function.

i. Describe the strengths or positive qualities of your church:

i. A strong sense of community, in which loving, open acceptance greets all who enter here;

ii. Uplifting worship services in a glorious sanctuary where gifted leaders offer sermons, music, and liturgy that lift us closer to God;

iii. Combining a commitment to social justice and diversity with solid Biblical-based Christianity;

iv. The special place of the Old South Church in American history and in Copley Square.

24. Indicate major boards, committees, groups, and organizations that are a part of your church, the frequency of meetings (monthly, weekly, etc.), and expectations for leadership. For leadership role use: 1 = senior pastor takes primary initiative and responsibility; 2 = senior pastor and laity share responsibility; 3 = laity takes primary initiative and responsibility, 4 = another pastor or staff member and laity share responsibility, 5 = senior pastor and other staff share responsibility with laity, 6 = another staff member takes primary initiative and responsibility.

Group Purpose of Group # Members Frequency Role Council General Governance 25+ Mo 2 Deacons Worship, spiritual 12+ Mo 2 Trustees Capital needs and funds 8 Mo 2 Staff Coordination 8 Wk 2 Ushers Ushering, offering (hospitality) 40+ Qtr 3 Worship Advice on worship 7 Qtr 5 Membership Welcome & church growth 17+ Mo 5 Pastoral Care Lay visitation, support 6 Mo 4 Christian Education Sunday School, adult ed 9+ Mo 4 Christian Service/Outreach Grants and volunteer activities 14+ Mo 4 Communication Publications, e communication 10+ Var 3 Finance Cmte. Budget 6+ Mo 2 Leadership Cmte. Nominations 7+ Var 2 Music Cmte. Music program 5+ Var 4 Operations Building, office management 8+ Mo 5 Parish Fellowship Fellowship group coordination 8+ Mo 2 Religion & Arts Arts 14+ Mo 4 Stewardship Fundraising, development 8+ Mo 2 TAOS Theater fellowship 50 Var 3 Young Adults Fellowship 38 Var 3 Lesbians, Gays, & Friends Fellowship 70 2/Mo 3

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Men’s fellowship Fellowship 15 2/Mo 3 Women at the Well Fellowship 37 Mo 4 Healing Prayer Prayer and mutual support 12 Mo 3 Women’s Guild Fellowship 7 Var 3 Choir Worship Music 35 2/Wk 6 Church School Chris. Education (100 attend) 180 Wk 6 Preschool Life Preparation 48 Daily 6 Mt. Vernon Church Separate, dual members 38 Yr 2 Adult Ed Chris. Education 20 Wk 6 Bell Choir Worship music monthly 14 Wk 6 Chimes Choir Worship music (children) 8 Wk 3 (The above list reflects the current configuration of staff leadership. The Church recognizes that a different pattern may emerge under the new Senior Minister.)

25. Conflict:

Most churches experience conflict at various times. Characterize your church’s experience with conflict given the following possibilities. Indicate the extent to which each statement describes your church: C = closely; S = somewhat; N = not at all.

C as a church, we respect and listen to each other and work things through without generating divisiveness S as a church, we try to respect and listen to each other, but it is not uncommon for differences of opinion to be a problem and for some people to choose sides S some have left our church because of conflict N conflict hurts our sense of unity, but we tend not to talk about it S painful experience with conflict has been present, but it has been worked through, and we have learned from the experience S we have had some painful experiences with conflict, and they linger in the background N open conflict is present, and we need a minister who can help us deal with it X other: Specify:

Comment: Old South enters this search as a united church. Our governance has long been based on carefully crafted consensus, and we have learned from the occasional differences of opinion and grown.

26. Worship:

a. Identify how worship is planned on a regular basis in your church:

by a Worship Committee _ by the pastor by the pastor in consultation with the Church Musician X other: Specify:

By the morning’s preacher, in consultation with the Director of Music and with quarterly counsel from a Worship Advisory Committee.

b. Describe the style and content of preaching valued by your congregation:

The congregation of Old South Church upholds the freedom of the pulpit and of the pastor to present the sermon we need to hear, rather than the sermon we want to hear. We prefer a sermon that is scripture based, and relevant to our daily lives. We

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appreciate a message grounding us as Christians, and guiding us in our spiritual development. We seek a message that is inclusive, intellectually compelling, faith- filled, and inspiring. We value the Word, transforming, rich with new insights, and challenging our lives beyond Sunday worship.

The congregation seeks a pastor whose preaching style is impressively intellectual and articulate. This person needs to be dynamic and able to speak strongly and clearly. Equally important, we are looking for a person who is compassionate, authentic, and who with integrity conveys a healthy faith, an enduring hope, and an affirming love.

c. Describe the role in worship of the person you are seeking:

The Senior Minister is the primary worship leader, preaching about 75% of the time, excluding vacation weeks, and assisted by one to four liturgists or readers, including the Associate/Assistant Ministers and Intern, who traditionally have major roles in every service.

d. What hymnal(s) does your congregation in worship currently use?

The New Century Hymnal (1995)

WIDER CHURCH CONNECTIONS

27. :

a. Association, Conference, or Denominational settings in which church members participate:

Old South usually has a layleader sitting on the Metropolitan Boston Association Committee on the Ministry, and recently had three ordained ministers on the MBA Council. Representation at MBA meetings is usually by ordained members, but lay delegates typically attend the Conference Annual Meeting. Old South members and staff have significant roles, past and present, in denominationally connected organizations, including the American Congregational Association, the City Mission Society, and Andover Newton Theological Seminary.

b. Association, Conference, or other denominational settings in which your church expects the leader you are now seeking to participate:

Old South understands and expects that the Senior Minister will from time to time undertake major Association, Confe rence, and Denominational responsibilities, determined by interest or gifts. We do expect the Senior Minister to be a positive force in strengthening Old South’s relationship with the UCC at every level.

c. Choose the word that best describes how lay leaders of your church consciously identify with the United Church of Christ:

closely X moderately nominally other

Comment: Over the last decade, there has been a significant increase in lay participation at the Association and Confe rence level.

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28. Ecumenical and Interfaith Activities:

a. Describe ways your church participated in ecumenical and interfaith activities during the last three years:

Old South participates regularly in Saturday’s/Sunday’s Bread (soup kitchen) and in Habitat for Humanity workdays. In November 2001, we formally joined the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization (GBIO) and are increasingly engaged in GBIO activities. We have an on-going relationship with MATCH-UP Interfaith Volunteers, Cooperative M etropolitan Ministries, Mass. Council of Churches activities, the Mass. Coalition for the Homeless’ One Family Campaign to end family homelessness, and the Mass. Bible Society.

We have had joint dinners and lectures with First Baptist Church during Lent, an all-church forum on Islam, and we hosted a conference sponsored by Sabeel North America with Archbishop Desmond Tutu speaking on the Israeli-Palestinian situation. Clergy and members participate in the Stations of the City, Good Friday vigil, and the annual memorial service for the homeless. Many interfaith groups use the church building for meetings, workshops, and special events.

The Lesbians, Gays & Friends group is active in, and has often hosted, the Pride Day Interfaith Service and the Interfaith Thanksgiving Service. Following a Lenten 2001 speaker from Boston’s Center for Ecumenism, Women at the Well had a study theme during Fall 2001/Spring 2002 of different faith traditions with guest speakers from many denominations and faiths.

b. Describe how your church expects the leader you are now seeking to participate in ecumenical and interfaith activities:

Old South understands and expects that the Senior Minister would from time to time undertake major ecumenical leadership responsibilitie s determined by interest, gifts, and the ministry of this church. We do expect the Senior Minister to be a positive force in strengthening our ecumenical ties.

RELATIONSHIP WITH MINISTERIAL LEADERS

29. Relationship With Prior Leaders: Characterize your church’s experience with pastoral leaders over the last 10 years. You may check more than one response: X we have had solid relationships with persons providing pastoral leadership we have had some fairly rocky moments, but we have worked them through, and relationships with pastoral leaders have grown in significant and important ways we have had some tough times and things did not always work out other: Specify:

a. Indicate the tenure of the last three installed persons who filled the position you are seeking to fill. Do not include interims:

Name From To 1. James W. Crawford 1974 2002

2. Frederick M. Meek 1946 1973

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3. Russell H. Stafford 1927 1945

b. If a previous pastor is currently a member of the church, describe his or her role in the life of the congregation:

The Rev. James Crawford, Pastor Emeritus, remains a member, but is not participating and fully understands his ethical obligations neither to interfere nor intervene in the ministry of his successor. The Rev. Thomas Boates served as an associate minister of Old South until 1975 and recently rejoined the Church after retiring as a UCC minister.

c. In addition to financial support, describe how your church supported the most recent person to hold the position you are now seeking to fill:

The layleaders and congregation have strongly supported the Senior Minister in setting aside the time necessary to craft a sermon, in his choosing the best venues for ecclesiastical leadership, and in taking the time necessary for self-care. The Reverend Crawford often spoke gratefully of the emotional support he repeatedly received from the Church.

d. Involuntary Terminations:

Have any of the last three persons serving in the position you are seeking to fill left involuntarily or under pressure?

yes X no: If “yes”, respond to the following: (omitted)

30. Does the church have a Pastoral Relations Committee? X yes no If yes, describe its purpose and how it functions:

The Advice and Support Committee was formed by Council to provide the Ministers of Old South with a confidential resource where concerns may be discussed and addressed, goals set, and feedback given. The Committee is comprised of the Moderator, Senior Deacon, Chair of the Finance Committee, and two Members -At- Large from the congregation.

In December 2002, Council approved the formation of the Interim Staff Relations Committee, comprised of the members of Advice and Support, the Operations chair, and the Interim Minister. The purpose of this committee is to coordinate responses to immediate staff-related issues; provide guidance and support to the Interim Minister; facilitate communication to and among staff; and facilitate review of staff job performance, goals and objectives.

31. If there is periodic assessment of the nature of the work and of the performance of that work for the position you are seeking to fill, describe it:

The Advice & Support Committee meets with the Ministerial Staff individually to review performance and concerns as requested and at least once a year. The committee makes recommendations to Council with regard to annual compensation and other benefits. The Interim Staff Relations Committee provides the same function regarding the other members of Staff—administration, support, and sextons.

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32. Leadership Expectations: a. A list follows of 43 items which represent a range of qualities in the ministry of the church. Place an “X” beside the 12 items which your church feels are the most important aspects of ministry for your church at this time. All the qualities are important. However, please mark those 12 which you feel need first priority at this time. Do not rank the items.

Our church needs a person who… 1. X is an effective preacher/speaker 24. regularly encourages support of 2. continues to develop his/her Our Church’s Wider Mission theological and biblical skills 25. reaches out to inactive members 3. X helps people develop their 26. works regularly in the development spiritual life of stewardship growth 4. helps people work together in 27. is active in ecumenical relationships solving problems and encourages the church to 5. X is effective in planning and leading participate worship 28. X is a person of faith 6. has a sense of the direction of 29. writes clearly and well his/her ministry 30. works well on a team 7. regularly encourages people to 31. is effective in working with youth participate in United Church of 32. organizes people for community action Christ activities and programs 33. is skilled in planning and leading 8. X helps people understand and act programs upon issues of social justice 34. plans and leads well-organized 9. is a helpful counselor meetings 10. ministers effectively to people in 35. X encourages people to relate their faith crisis situations to their daily lives 11. makes pastoral calls on people in 36. X is accepting of people with divergent hospitals and nursing homes and views those confined to their homes 37. encourages others to assume and 12. makes pastoral calls on members carry out leadership not confined to their homes 38. X is mature and emotionally secure 13. X is a good leader 14. is effective in working with children 39. has strong commitment and loyalty 15. X builds a sense of fellowship among 40. maintains confidentially the people with whom he/she works 41. understands and interprets the mission 16. helps people develop their leadership of the church from a global perspective abilities 42. X is a compassionate and caring person 17. X is an effective administrator 43. deals effectively with conflict 18. is effective with committees and 44. officers 45. 19. is an effective teacher 20. has a strong commitment to the b. if there are other comments you wish to make educational ministry of the church about expectations, include one or more 21. is effective in working with adults paragraphs here or on an additional sheet. 22. inspires a sense of confidence 23. works regularly at bringing new These choices were determined by the top 12 members into the church responses to a mailed congregational survey.

GENERAL

33. Does your church Search Committee, or governing body, have a policy against discrimination?

X yes no

34. a. Describe the functions and duties of this position:

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As set forth in our By-laws, the Senior Minister shall be the spiritual leader and chief executive officer of the Church, proclaiming the Gospel through preaching, teaching, working with Church groups and committees, and through personal conversation. The Senior Minister shall supervise all services of worship, administer the sacraments, show pastoral concern particularly for the sick and the troubled, and share with people of the parish in a growing understanding of the Christian faith and its relevance to life situations.

b. Does your church have a personnel policy covering this position? X yes no

List the titles of other paid staff positions for whom this person provides supervision and indicate whether these positions are full time (FT) or part time (PT)

Title: Associate Minister PT X FT Title: Assistant Minister PT X FT Title: Ministerial Intern X PT FT Title: Operations Manager X PT FT Title: Church Administrator PT X FT Title: Accountant X PT FT Title: Organist and Director of Music PT X FT Title: Church School Director X PT FT Title: Director, Pre-school PT X FT Title: Senior Sexton PT X FT

35. Name three people who have agreed to serve as references. Make sure they are not members of your church, but know your church well enough to be helpful to final candidate seeking more information about your church, e.g., previous pastor, conference staff, person in community:

Name Telephone Relationship to Your Church Maggie Mode & Darrell Byers, 6327 31st PLACE NW, Washington, DC 20015, 202-362-5112 Darrell’s work number: 202-687-4811 (Maggie and Darrell remain technically members of Old South Church in Boston.)

J. Stephen & Heidi Groff, 93 Plain St., Medfield, MA 02052, 508-359-5651

John W. Lewis & Patrick Roche, 118 Corey Lane, Middletown, RI 02842, 401-846-9913

36. What groups or individuals in your church have contributed to, reviewed, and/or approved this profile for circulation?

Search Committee, Council, Deacons, Trustees, Staff identified in # 34, Membership.

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STATEMENT ON LEADERSHIP IN MINISTRY

Using this page and one additional page if needed, write a statement that will help a candidate understand the relationship of clergy and lay leadership in the life of your congregation. Include in the statement reflections on leadership styles that work well for your church. Describe how clergy and lay leaders work together. If yours is a multiple-staff church, it would be helpful to comment on your expectations of how the staff team members relate to each other. You are encouraged to include anything else you want to say about your church and its expectations of the leader it now seeks:

Old South Church in Boston aspires to excellence in worship and ministry. The Senior Minister has been the central unifying voice, pastoring a warm and embracing congregation, coordinating the program, empowering staff and lay leaders, preaching carefully crafted sermons with a high Christological and intellectual content, structuring consensus on issues facing the Church, speaking prophetically on matters of social justice, and leading in the inclusive affirmation of every individual as a fellow child of God. The senior pastor’s basic leadership function is to help the staff and members own a common vision and then to support them in carrying out as a team their response to God’s grace. Dating back to colonial times, Old South Church has an historic tradition of strong lay leadership, buttressed today by the gifts, skills, and experience of our contemporary laity. From liturgists, to choir, to greeters and ushers, over 40 people have an active role in the leadership of worship on a typical Sunday. Many program areas are lay led, with staff serving as a resource, not as leader. For example, the primary initiative for conducting many Christian Service and Outreach programs, the theater, arts, and fellowship groups, comes from the laity. A staff Christian Education director supervises an active Church School, which includes both paid and numerous parent teachers. In addition to broad responsibility as pastor and principal worship leader, the Senior Minister provides professional leadership to elected lay leade rs, empowering them to use their talents, reviewing with them the ministry of the Church, encouraging a cordial, inclusive fellowship, and acting as primary adviser on the pastoral dimensions of their decisions. The Church has made most decisions by carefully vetting and polishing initiatives among an expanding circle of laity, chosen by office, experience, and interest, until a proposal, backed by a strong consensus, is introduced before the appropriate committee for final review and approval. The congregation elects officers, calls ministers, receives the annual report, and votes to ratify long-term commitments.

The Senior Minister is primarily responsible for worship and church administration, coordinating the other professional staff and laity in leading the overall program of the Church, but also remains always the pastor, extending the assurance of God’s love and Old South’s “open door” to those hammered by uncertainties, tribulations, and recriminations. On behalf of the church, the Senior Minister will need to be a leadership voice, supporting social justice concerns. Other staff members also have clear responsibilities, determined by job descriptions and reviewed in consultation with committees and the senior pastor. They share in worship, pastoral care, Christian education, and outreach, often taking the lead in particular projects or areas of ministry. As respected professionals, they carry out these responsibilities using their own judgment, gifts, and training. The senior pastor serves as the team leader, developing a sense of collegiality, mutual affirmation, and staff development. Lay members of the staff are usually hired and supervised by the senior pastor, in conjunction with appropriate congregational committees and other clergy staff. While the Church expects the Senior Minister to oversee and interact occasionally in all aspects of the church’s life, a senior pastor who feels obligated to be involved in every activity on every occasion would soon burn out.

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The Ministry of Music at Old South seeks to glorify God through creative interpretation of the Church's musical literature; the use of aesthetic means and vehicles to mediate and present the grace and grandeur of God; and the participation of women and men of the congregation and beyond to celebrate, worship, and magnify this God of our Savior Jesus Christ. The congregation values the role of music as integral to the liturgy, giving shape to the service and focus to the proclaimed word of God. It is an organic and coordinated part of the message conveyed each Sunday. While valuing Old South's overall ministry, many members report that it was specifically the quality of the music that drew them to join Old South. Music has become part of the fabric that holds us together as a church and is a significant medium through which we express our relationship with God. We are a singing congregation that uses The New Century Hymnal, consciously and eagerly incorporating music from a wider range of eras, styles, and ethnic traditions. The canon of classical church music of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, however, retains a primary hold on our hearts. Over the last fifteen years Old South has evolved from an entirely professional choir to a volunteer choir, which employs professional section leaders. The choir sings most Sundays from September through June. In addition, an adult bell choir practices weekly and rings in worship once a month, and children’s vocal and chime choirs rehearse weekly and offer music in worship occasionally. The Sanctuary organ is a magnificent E. M. Skinner symphonic instrument and the chief vehicle for providing brilliant preludes as well as hymn and anthem accompaniment. The organ postlude provides an opportunity for further inspiration, with most members remaining seated listening reverently. On special Sundays of the church year additional professional instrumentalists enhance the choir and organ. As a significant part of our program, Old South presents and hosts a wide range of choral and instrumental concerts throughout the year. Music leadership is provided by a full-time Organist and Director of Music, a part-time Music Intern, and a volunteer Assistant Organist.

The Old South Church in Boston is an Open and Affirming congregation. The following statement is printed in the weekly bulletin as a guide to the conduct of the Church’s life: A NOTE ON THE INCLUSIVE DIMENSIONS OF GOD’S GRACE: The Old South Church in Boston, in the name of its host, Jesus Christ, and in the spirit of Christ’s invitation carved into the stone of this church’s portico, “Behold I Set Before You an Open Door,” welcomes all who seek to know God and invites everyone to join in our common life and mission through participation and leadership in this congregation. Following the one who we believe is Sovereign and Savior, we affirm each individual is a child of God, and recognize that we are called to be like one reconciled body with many members, seeking with others of every race, ethnicity, creed, class, age, gender, physical or mental ability, and sexual identity to journey together toward the promised realm of God. On the threshold of Christ’s open door, we rely upon the healing, unconditional nature of God’s love and grace to be our help and guide as we all move forward with the work of this church in the world.

In 1970 the congregation of Mount Vernon Church closed its doors at the corner of Beacon St. and Massachusetts Ave. to join with the people of Old South, bringing a tradition of leadership, dedication, and mission. Mount Vernon is remembered for fostering the faith of, among others, the evangelist Dwight Moody and the educator Joseph Hardy Neesima, who in 1875 founded Doshisha University in Kyoto, Japan. The two churches have functioned as federated congregations. Most of the original Mount Vernon members have passed away, but some Old South members have been elected to dual membership, in order to retain the corporate identity and tradition of Mount Vernon. Mount Vernon is recognized as a separate church of the Metropolitan Boston Association, UCC. In addition to its own trust funds, it remains a beneficiary of a charitable trust and makes a substantial financial contribution to Old South, as well as separate mission grants. We anticipate that the Senior Minister of Old South would be elected pastor of Mount Vernon with minimal additional duties and without additional compensation.

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Conference or Association Descriptive Reference

Church Name: Old South Church in Boston

Location: 645 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116 www.oldsouth.org

Conference: Massachusetts

Association: Metropolitan Boston Association

Name of Staff Assisting in the Search:

The Reverend Thomas Clough 14 Beacon Street Boston, MA 02108

Signature of Staff Assisting in the Search

Date

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