Pastor search committee kit

How long a search takes

The normal search process ranges from eight to eighteen months.Dallas Theological Seminary, “The Search”

The Canadian Baptists of Ontario and Quebec put steps six through ten of their own process at three to six months, when the leadership team meets weekly or every other week (source).

The steps

1. Form the committee and agree how it works

   Name the members, a chair and a secretary. Agree in writing to keep every candidate’s name and every discussion confidential, to attend, and to speak with one voice to the church.

2. Write the church profile

   Describe the church as it is: attendance, budget, staff, the confession of faith, how the church worships, and what the next pastor will face. Candidates read this first.

   Source: Dallas Theological Seminary, “The Search”

3. Write the job profile and the pay range

   List the duties, the hours, who the role answers to, the pay range, housing (parsonage or allowance), retirement, health coverage and time off. Put housing terms in writing.

4. Post the job and collect résumés

   The SBTC handbook receives résumés for thirty to forty-five days.

   Source: Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, Pastor Search Committee Handbook

5. Narrow in rounds

   The SBTC handbook allows two weeks of prayer and evaluation for each round, narrowing from all résumés to about 30 to 35, then to a top five.

   Source: Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, Pastor Search Committee Handbook

6. Send a short questionnaire

   The SBTC handbook keeps the questionnaire to no more than ten questions, sent to the top three to five candidates.

   Source: Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, Pastor Search Committee Handbook

7. Interview, hear the candidate preach or lead, and check references

   The SBTC handbook checks references for up to three candidates, asks each reference for a second reference, and never contacts a candidate’s current church without written permission.

   Source: Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, Pastor Search Committee Handbook

8. Write to every candidate you release

   The SBTC handbook sends a letter to each candidate who is no longer under consideration. A short, kind letter at each round keeps no one waiting.

   Source: Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, Pastor Search Committee Handbook

9. Present one candidate and call the vote

   The SBTC handbook announces the vote and the candidate’s weekend two weeks in advance.

   Source: Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, Pastor Search Committee Handbook

Reference check questions

1. How do you know the candidate, and for how long have you known him?Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, Pastor Search Committee Handbook
2. What can you tell me about his character and his leadership style?Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, Pastor Search Committee Handbook
3. Do you have any concerns about this candidate’s ability or willingness to serve our church as the senior pastor?Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, Pastor Search Committee Handbook
4. Is there any matter you feel we should consider if we are to pursue him further?Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, Pastor Search Committee Handbook
5. In your opinion, what are his greatest strengths?Carolina Baptist Association, reference questions
6. Is he able to lead through or in spite of difficult circumstances?Carolina Baptist Association, reference questions
7. How does he respond to criticism?Carolina Baptist Association, reference questions
8. If you were in our place, would you consider Pastor ***** as your pastor? Why or why not?Carolina Baptist Association, reference questions

Letters and forms to copy

As a member of the [Church] search committee, I will pray for this search, attend every meeting I can, read every candidate’s file before we meet, keep each candidate’s name and our discussions confidential inside the committee, speak about the search to the church only through the chair, and support the committee’s decision once it is made.

Signed: ____________________  Date: __________

Dear [Name],

Thank you for applying for [Role] at [Church]. We received your materials on [date]. Our committee meets every [day] and expects to finish its first review by [date]. We will write to you either way by then.

In Christ,
[Chair], for the search committee

Dear [Name],

Thank you for the care you put into your application for [Role] at [Church]. After prayer and review, the committee has decided not to move your application forward. We are grateful for your ministry and will pray for the next step God has for you.

In Christ,
[Chair], for the search committee

Dear [Reference],

[Candidate] has named you as a reference for [Role] at [Church], and has given written permission for us to contact you. Could we speak by phone for twenty minutes this week or next? Everything you tell us stays inside the search committee.

Thank you,
[Name], [phone], for the search committee

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