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Episcopal Church Calls on Firm for Employment Assistance

Diocesan Press Service. December 22, 1975 [75453]

NEW YORK, N. Y. -- An agreement was signed on December 22 between the Clergy Deployment Office of the national Episcopal Church and Snelling and Snelling to help facilitate transition of those clergy members seeking employment outside the Church. It is believed that this is the first time a national church has called upon private enterprise for such assistance.

The program, titled "Placement and Vocational Evaluation" (PAVE), is designed for the clergy who are turning to secular employment either because of the lack of full-time positions in the Church or because they feel that their ministries will be more effective if they are "non-stipendiary " -- or "worker priests." This is sometimes known as a "tentmaker's ministry," because the Apostle Paul in the early Church made his living as a tent-maker when he carried the Gospel throughout the Mediterranean world. All "main-line" churches today have the problem of finding full employment for clergy.

Principal participants in the signing of the contract were the Rt. Rev. John M. Allin, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, and Charles B. Fulton, Jr., Senior Vice President of Snelling and Snelling, the world's largest employment service.

"We wish to provide the best possible assistance for our clergy who are looking for jobs outside the institutional Church," Bishop Allin said. "Few have ever faced the difficult task of exploring new career opportunities. We have turned to the experts to help our clergy find positions which match their personal interests, training, and experience. I am also sure that these clergy will continue their ministry in their new communities as they find employment in other fields."

Mr. Fulton said, "It is my pleasure, on behalf of the Snelling and Snelling System of more than 500 offices, to join with the national Episcopal Church in this exploratory venture. The candidates with whom we will be associated are well schooled, capable individuals possessing many qualities required by our employer clients. They have obvious expertise in several areas. We intend to match their skills with openings to the benefit of all parties concerned. "

Prior to visiting a Snelling and Snelling office, each interested clergy member will receive a package of instructional material to ease the eventual job search. These packages, prepared by Snelling and Snelling in conjunction with the national Clergy Deployment Office, will be made available at the local diocese level. The Executive Director of the Clergy Deployment Office at the Episcopal Church Center in New York City is the Rev. Roddey Reid, Jr. Bishop David R. Thornberry of Wyoming is chairman of the board for Clergy Deployment.