Search Home

Table of Contents

Reviews

Order the Book

About the Author

Free Articles and Links

Managing the Pastoral Search Process: A Manual on Bringing Quality to the Pastoral Search Process © 1996 by Footwork Publications

The Alban Guide to Managing the Pastoral Search Process © 1999 by The Alban Institute

Introduction

A story is told of a pastor answering the telephone one evening to be greeted by an elder of a church wanting to ask him a question. The elder asked, "Our church is searching for a new pastor and I was wondering if you are open to a call?" When the pastor indicated he did not wish to consider a call since he had only been at his church for three years, he heard a loudly audible, "Oh shoot!" from the elder. "Are you sure?" the elder asked, "I need to come up with three names by tomorrow!" Another pastor tells of not knowing he was under consideration by a certain church until he was asked whether he would be on a duo! Such can be the experiences some pastors have with some search teams. It is this style of approach and callousness that we want to avoid.

The examples above are not so uncommon as many pastoral search teams operate in the unknown. Many churches have not had to manage a pastoral search process for ten, fifteen, or even twenty years. Search team membership, from council members to the actively involved lay member, do not typically understand the multitude of tasks which make up the search process. Much of the resource material available to search teams addresses the issues in generalities and do not begin to identify the management of the tasks.

The pastoral search team has a complex task before them. In order to have a clear focus, their process must be well thought out, intentionally planned, and free from unnecessary distractions. This manual is aimed at detailing the process in enough depth for church councils to understand the formation of a search team and then help the newly formed search team understand the strategy and the order of the multitude of the tasks before them. With a clear understanding of the process, all will realize that the search process cannot be hurried.

Serving on a pastoral search team requires a deep commitment to the Lord and the local church. Much time and energy will be required before the task is completed. The process will likely take a minimum of six months and as long as two years. The way the search process is managed can make a difference in your finding a good pastoral match, in the length of the search effort, and in reducing the stresses to all parties involved. Whether your church is in a metropolitan area or in the rural countryside, whether you are one church of the denomination in a large area or one in an area with multiple churches of the same denomination, you must manage the search process with high standards of excellence. We are not allowed the luxury of sitting back, putting out a few ads and sending out a handful of letters, then waiting for pastors to beat down our church door wanting to serve as our pastor. We need to conduct an intentional, high quality search process that treats pastors, and the process, with respect. We need to be competitive and thorough in our efforts. This book details a balanced process which helps search teams compete on a more balanced playing field.

You may not think the words "competitive" or "compete" are appropriate when talking about the pastoral search process, yet consider that when one church becomes vacant, they simply become one more in a large circle of vacant churches. All are working to find the pastor with the right ministry skills that best match their gifts and needs. All are using the best resources they can develop. All try to present their church in the best light possible. Many may ultimately issue calls to the same pastor. Whether or not you like the words, the process is "competitive," and churches do "compete" for pastors. A word of advice, which should go without saying, is not to focus on this aspect of the process, but simply be aware of it. Each church enters into the search process with its own unique set of strengths and needs, and the pastors they consider have their own special ministry gifts and skills. The church and the pastor must each be involved in the process which will create the best match for each.

Both of these books are written to allow individuals with little or no experience to serve effectively as members of a search team. The full search team will then understand what their task is and how they can conduct a quality search.

© 2003 Footwork Publications, All Rights Reserved. Last Updated August 9, 2003