We know how difficult it can be to serve on a search committee. Below are some resources to help congregations begin the process and to help the committee members themselves.
Pastor Profile Survey
An example of a survey to share with the congregation to help guide the committee in qualities desired in a candidate.
Serving on a Search Committee Can Be Overwhelming
An article by Dave Odom.
Search committees are sometimes in awe of their responsibility to chart the future of a congregation and examine the qualifications of a prospective pastor. This strategic work isn’t just about identifying a skilled leader but about finding one with the right mix of skills and character.
Seven Tips for a Better Search Committee
By Marv Knox. How should a church behave when it’s seeking a pastor? That’s a more complicated question than you might think. Unfortunately, many congregations bungle the process.
Phases of a pastor search committee’s work
(short bullet points) by Bill Wilson
Phases & details of a pastor search committee’s work
(with detailed explanations) by Bill Wilson
Pastor Search Questions for Staff
Possible questions for the search committee to ask existing staff
Ten Commandments for Pastor Search Committees
Produced by The Center for Baptist Studies of Mercer University with Walter B. Shurden, Executive Director and Bruce T. Gourley, Associate Director
Introduction of Candidate
An example of document to introduce a candidate to the congregation
Online articles:
- Can we have a healthier pastor search process? by Bill Wilson
- Search Committee Ethics by Bill Wilson
- Four pastors describe a healthy search process by Bill Wilson
- Five issues that bother pastors about search committees by Bill Wilson
