Provost / Dean Search
Frequently Asked Questions
Updated March 2, 2007

1. When will St. James Cathedral have a new Dean?
2. How did the search for a Provost happen?
3. Who is leading St. James Cathedral until a Provost arrives?
4. Who is on the the Search Committee and how were they chosen?
5. Will the Provost be selected from the within the Diocese of Chicago?
6. Why are the Search Committee’s proceedings confidential?


1. When will St. James Cathedral have a new Dean?
We will call a Provost in March 2007 to begin ministry June 2007, or earlier. Our intention is that the Provost will become Dean after the election of a new Diocesan Bishop in early 2008. When the new Bishop arrives there will be a period of facilitated discernment during which the congregation, new Bishop, and Provost will decide to appoint the Provost as Dean or to begin a new search. In any case, the Provost will serve for a minimum of three years. 

2. How did the search for a Provost happen and why was the search process so short?
Bishop Persell, who is Rector of the Cathedral, believed that the Cathedral congregation was in a good position to move quickly in the search for a Provost and employed the resources of his diocesan staff to shorten what is sometimes a lengthy process. A Task Force from the Cathedral Chapter updated the Parish Profile that was developed in 2001. The Bishop presented a list of 15 names to the Search Committee on October 1, 2006. The Search Committee presented a list of three finalists to the Bishop on February 28, 2007 for his final selection.

3. Who is leading St. James Cathedral until a Provost arrives?
The Bishop is still Rector of the Cathedral and, in fact, is the acting Dean. The Wardens and Cathedral Chapter manage the business of the Cathedral and support the work of our Senior Staff -- the Vicar, the Business Manager, and the Director of Cathedral Music. Each member of the Senior Staff has responsibility over specific areas of ministry and they work together as a leadership team. A Mutual Ministry Agreement was created to outline specific responsibilities for the Senior Staff and Lay Leadership. The Bishop and Vicar invite visiting clergy to assist with Sunday liturgies until a Provost arrives.

4. Who is on the Search Committee and how were they chosen?
The Search Committee was appointed by the Wardens with the approval of the Cathedral Chapter. We believe this group of 12 people is exceptionally strong and reflects the diversity of backgrounds and interests of the St. James community. Three are current members of the Cathedral Chapter. Ten are members of St. James and two are from the Diocese at large. There are six women and six men. Together, they serve on almost all of St. James' varied ministries. Three are clergy members.

5. Will the Provost be selected from the within the Diocese of Chicago?
Perhaps, but not necessarily. The search will be national or even international.

6. Why are the Search Committee’s proceedings confidential?
Members of the Search Committee, Cathedral Chapter, and others with specific knowledge of candidates in the search process are prohibited from discussing details of the search process with anyone outside the committee-including spouses and partners. This is out of respect for the privacy of candidates who apply, are nominated or otherwise considered for the Provost position. It is likely that many candidates will be working in other parishes and will not want their candidacy known publicly unless and until a final selection is made. Parishioners can expect frequent updates about the committee’s general progress in the parish e-mail newsletter, in the Sunday News and Events, and on the pages dedicated to the Dean/Provost Search on the Cathedral’s website.