Vonhof, an elder and layman at a community church in California, writes from his experiences serving on pastoral- search teams. The book is full of practical, helpful steps to take and processes to use, and is a great resource. Pastoral Search does have certain slants to ministry definitions, however. Therefore I also recommend that the congregation itself participate in a Bible study that sets the Biblical foundation in which the practical discussions of the search process exist. Here I suggest A Bible Study of the Relationship Between Pastors and their Congregations by Dr. Jerald Joersz, associate director of the Synod's Commission on Theology and Church Relations.
Transition times are ones of considerable opportunity and challenge.
For the parish to use this time to study and pray is crucial. Parish members study the Scriptures, the parish itself and the surrounding community, and do so in prayer. Such prayer-filled work before the call is extended will, as God's Spirit blesses, help the congregation in its call process. It seemed like a good thing to me, but I'd never heard of it and our congregation has never used it. But if I could change the question a bit, I'd like to say that I endorse this idea.