Phase 4 is a turning point in the search process, finishing up the materials that potential ministers will see, waiting patiently through the winter holidays, then getting access to the ministerial records of potential candidates during the first two weeks of January.

• By mid-November, the search team should be done with the finishing touches on the search profile and be sending it for review. The rest of November is spent responding to any suggestions by the reviewer(s).
• The search team has until mid-December to complete the documents packet, and submit it for review to the Congregational Transitions Director.
• Schedule a discernment phase conversation between the search team and the Congregational Transitions Director, or individual team members may drop in to their office hours in December.

There is a natural shift in the energy of the search, at this point. Take time to acknowledge this moment, appreciate all the hard work that gone into the search process so far, and shift from preparation to mutual discernment. Search teams should take as much of a break as they can in December because the first three weeks of January are very busy, with a few key deadlines!