Epsiode 268: How to Call a Pastor 2024

 

Pastors, If you retire or leave a church in a healthy manner, you have an obligation to set up your church for success.

Are the bylaws up to date, clear, and workable

you must follow your bylaws

Do you have an external contact for your search team. Every search team needs training

 

Move past the human nature side of things...

Know that without guidance the tendency is to swing from extreme to extreme

pastors in the past 

good pastors - what did they do

not good pastors - what did they do

Make preaching the last element you discover about the candidate

The right person is more important than the right preacher

character

leadership

theology

family

emotional intelligence

Use a well-stablished process, hopefully you've gotten training

a clear job description

a clear budget

a clear list of qualities

what are the non-negotiables

know where to put out requests for resumes

respond to everyone who sends you a direct resume

Try to avoid going through resumes one at a time; set a date to go through them together

Communicate

communicate with your church often

have your church pray for you

communicate with candidates as needed

communicate written and unwritten expectations

avoid bringing in multiple candidates to see "who you like best"

find your one candidate and interview them

Bring them in at the appropriate time

 

 

Keep your search committee together for a year to serve as the mediator with your new pastor

meet once a month and talk about how things are going

be the first line of defense for your pastor family

 

Remember you are inviting a leader to fulfill the church’s vision, not your own.