PASTOR SEARCH COMMITTEE HELPS
The Pastor Search Process
His recommendation will always be that the church use this time to deal with any issues that need to be addressed. He often will recommend the Transitional Pastor process developed by the NC Associational Missions Conference to strengthen the church during the transition period. Ours is a "covenant relationship" between the local church, the Transitional Pastor, and the association. The covenant details what the church can expect to be addressed during the transition period. The goal of the Transitional Pastor Process is to deal with any issues/concerns during the interim, so that the new pastor can build on what the church has begun to restructure during that time. Working through these issues before the search committee begins to search often allows them to better see - and communicate - the reality of where the church is and not bring in another pastor and subject he and his family to the old issues - let him come in "fresh" and ready to succeed,
Church consultants state that churches must learn to answer all the WHY questions? That requires HONESTLY assessing "where the church really is" and then WHY is it to this point. Just "replacing the pastor" will never be the cure all for the problems the church is experiencing. Often times, the search committee fails to share pertinent details about issues that were involved in the previous pastor's departure. Sometimes they were on the pastor's side and may display an attitude to the candidate that the church is ready to go forward and they are not and/or they "sweep the issue under the rug" and fail to discuss it with him at all. Without resolving issues, the church is destined for a repeat performance and the church will suffer much by bringing in a new pastor without addressing the issue.
Among the ways the association can help include:
- The most important element of the search process is fervent prayer on the part of the church and search committee. "We should "Trust God while seeking a pastor!" The Search Team should take their time and allow God to lead.
- TRBA encourages the church to talk with the Associational Missions Strategist (AMS) and speak with him prior to the beginning the search process. The association seeks to walk alongside the church to help the church be productive in the ministry of the church prior to calling a new pastor. During the interim, the church should discern God's Will for the church and make whatever adjustments are necessary prior to the calling of the pastor.
His recommendation will always be that the church use this time to deal with any issues that need to be addressed. He often will recommend the Transitional Pastor process developed by the NC Associational Missions Conference to strengthen the church during the transition period. Ours is a "covenant relationship" between the local church, the Transitional Pastor, and the association. The covenant details what the church can expect to be addressed during the transition period. The goal of the Transitional Pastor Process is to deal with any issues/concerns during the interim, so that the new pastor can build on what the church has begun to restructure during that time. Working through these issues before the search committee begins to search often allows them to better see - and communicate - the reality of where the church is and not bring in another pastor and subject he and his family to the old issues - let him come in "fresh" and ready to succeed,
Church consultants state that churches must learn to answer all the WHY questions? That requires HONESTLY assessing "where the church really is" and then WHY is it to this point. Just "replacing the pastor" will never be the cure all for the problems the church is experiencing. Often times, the search committee fails to share pertinent details about issues that were involved in the previous pastor's departure. Sometimes they were on the pastor's side and may display an attitude to the candidate that the church is ready to go forward and they are not and/or they "sweep the issue under the rug" and fail to discuss it with him at all. Without resolving issues, the church is destined for a repeat performance and the church will suffer much by bringing in a new pastor without addressing the issue.
Among the ways the association can help include:
- Assist the search team in determining the search process the team should follow.
- Pastor Search Team Training: Prior to beginning the searching, the AMS can lead in sessions with the team and/or team retreat.
- Training is needed, even if the team members have served on the search team before or not.
- Church Assessment: The truest assessment is the Transformational Church Assessment Tool, but it is very involved. TRBA has developed several different assessment tools that can be used and has also simply facilitated a "To Dream Again" family meeting.
- Community Demographics - revealing the ministry opportunities of the community.
- The church cannot adequately minister to the needs of the community unless they know the community.
- The association has tools to help the church see the needs of their community.
- Strategy Development - based on the findings from the church assessment and the demographics, or any true needs that need to be dealt with, TRBA can assist the church with some "how tos" - specifically designed plans to address the true need.
- Transitional Pastor - Encompasses the above with a detailed plan of action put together to deal with the findings or issues. It is a covenant relationship detailing the plan between the local church, the Transitional Pastor (Interim), and the AMS/association.
- The church is involved in every step of the process.
COMING SOON
We are in the process of updating our Pastor Search Process (Best Practices) in the association. They will be available online - you can download at no cost or purchase it printed out in the TRBA Book store, This is the book used in TRBA's Pastor Search Team Training in our churches as well.
We are in the process of updating our Pastor Search Process (Best Practices) in the association. They will be available online - you can download at no cost or purchase it printed out in the TRBA Book store, This is the book used in TRBA's Pastor Search Team Training in our churches as well.
The most important element of the search process is fervent prayer. "trust god while seeking a pastor."
Listed Below Are Resources Available To The Search Team That May Be Helpful: The following are recommended as resources to you during the search process. Some are downloadable and others require purchase. Information about the resource, and how it is attainable to member churches.
Greg Frizzell has worked with Baptist Churches for years. He is with the Baptist State Convention of Oklahoma. His book is a highly recommended resource for all Pastor Search Committees. The emphases is prayer and details how the search committee can lead the church to pray and to become prayerfully dependent on God to bring forward the proper candidate to serve has His shepherd. The book is filled with many helps. It is available for purchase in our online store. In addition, as helps related to the book are developed, we will make them available for download or purchase in the bookstore. |
Best practices lost |
NC Ministry match |
Salary calculator |
|
Greg Frizzell has worked with Baptist Churches for years. He is with the Baptist State Convention of Oklahoma. His book is a highly recommended resource for all Pastor Search Committees. The emphases is prayer and details how the search committee can lead the church to pray and to become prayerfully dependent on God to bring forward the proper candidate to serve has His shepherd. The book is filled with many helps. It is available for purchase in our online store. In addition, as helps related to the book are developed, we will make them available for download or purchase in the bookstore.
|
Looking for Resumes? |
Interim Pay Calculator A resource generated by our Associational Missionary.
Please Contact us if you have any questions or would like other resources during your search process. |
If you would like to send a Resume to be considered for a Ministry Position please email us.