WHAT KIND OF PASTOR ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

A brief summary of what we heard from the Deacons, Church Council, and Church Body

After listening to all three groups, the encouraging news is that we are strongly aligned. The church is not simply looking for a good preacher or administrator. We are looking for a shepherd-leader - someone who genuinely walks with God, loves people, faithfully teaches Scripture, and can help lead our church forward.

THREE THINGS RISE TO THE TOP

1. A MAN WE CAN TRUST	Character matters. We are looking for integrity, humility, honesty, spiritual maturity, consistency, and a genuine walk with Christ.
2. A SPIRITUAL LEADER WE CAN FOLLOW	He should know, live, and faithfully teach God's Word; be prayerful and Spirit-led; and help people grow as disciples of Jesus.
3. A LEADER WHO CAN MOVE US FORWARD	He should build unity, reach our community, develop people for ministry, value every generation, and have the courage and wisdom to lead appropriate change.

THE PASTOR PROFILE

We are seeking a godly, trustworthy, Spirit-led and biblically grounded pastor who genuinely loves people, faithfully teaches God's Word, builds relationships and unity, equips believers for ministry, reaches into our community, values children, students, families and senior adults, and has the courage and vision to lead our church toward the future God has for us.

THE BALANCE WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Biblical conviction without rigidity. Courage without arrogance. Vision without ego. A love for the people who are already here while having a heart for the people who are not here yet. A willingness to honor the church's history while helping us reach future generations.

CAN WE TRUST HIM?

CAN WE FOLLOW HIM SPIRITUALLY?

CAN HE LEAD US FORWARD?

The church appears ready for a pastor who will love us, teach us, and lead us. Our responsibility is to seek God's direction carefully and be prepared to follow where He leads.

 

SELECTING THE PASTOR SEARCH COMMITTEE

Choosing the right people to help our church seek the right pastor

Selecting a Pastor Search Committee is more than choosing people to review resumes and conduct interviews. We are asking a group of people to carry an important spiritual responsibility for our church family. The goal is not to select people who will represent a personal agenda or particular group, but people we trust to prayerfully seek God's direction for the whole church.

WHAT KIND OF PEOPLE DO WE NEED?

SPIRITUALLY MATURE	People who demonstrate a consistent walk with Christ, respect Scripture, pray, and show wisdom and discernment.
TRUSTWORTHY	People known for integrity, good judgment, confidentiality, and handling sensitive information responsibly.
GOOD LISTENERS	People willing to listen to God, the congregation, one another, candidates, and references - and who can change their mind when needed.
ABLE TO DISAGREE WELL	People who can ask hard questions and hold different opinions without becoming divisive, defensive, or personal.
WHOLE-CHURCH MINDED	People who will represent the entire church rather than one age group, ministry, friendship group, tradition, or agenda.
OPEN TO GOD'S FUTURE	People who understand that we are not only looking for someone who fits the church today, but someone who can help lead us toward what God wants us to become.

A HEALTHY COMMITTEE SHOULD REFLECT THE CHURCH

Look for a healthy mix of men and women, different generations, long-time and newer members, ministry leaders and members without formal titles. Because the church has clearly expressed concern for children, students, younger families, and future generations, those perspectives should not be overlooked. But every committee member should ultimately represent the whole church.

FIVE QUESTIONS TO ASK ABOUT A POTENTIAL MEMBER

1. Do we trust this person's spiritual maturity and judgment?

2. Will this person represent the whole church rather than a personal agenda?

3. Can this person listen well and consider information that may challenge an initial opinion?

4. Can this person maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive conversations wisely?

5. Will this person seek God's direction above his or her own preference?

The search committee is not being asked to find the pastor they personally want. They are being entrusted with the spiritual responsibility of prayerfully seeking the pastor God is leading our church to call. That means being sensitive to the hopes and desires of our congregation, while also having the spiritual discernment to listen carefully to what the Holy Spirit is saying and the courage to follow His leading.

The church is looking for the right pastor. First, we need to select the right people to help find him.