How to Talk to a Church Search Committee | Pastor Well - Ep 57

When looking for a new pastoral position, what are the most important things to discuss with a search committee? In this episode, Hershael York talks about what to pay attention to, and what questions to ask when being interviewed by a search committee.
Hosted by pastor-scholar Hershael York, the Pastor Well Podcast offers a wellspring of wisdom from about the insights learned from a life of faithful ministry.
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[@Rightlydividing-wx1xb]

I don't understand search committee concept when I read 1 Timothy 3. Those believers were given criteria for appointing overseers/elders. This needing to look outside of one's own congregation is surely an indicator of believing men across the board who are ignorant of God's word (they would remind the congregation of 1 Timothy 3) and the consequences of that are, women running a congregation and essentially immature believing men whom Paul implies are to be able to be elders if they meet the qualifications provided. Paul presumes there are believing men in a congregation of the Lord. Searching for an overseer outside of one's own congregation is proof enough of several things, including very shallow teaching and a clear laziness from the men who presume to teach in said congregation. I hope this helps someone and moves men who believe in Jesus Christ to get to know the Epistles of the New Testament, specifically addressing the Body of Christ under grace not law for righteousness/justification.

[@johndufford5561]

Great counsel. Thank you. It is a two way street, there must be a good fit. If you are the only person who brought a Bible into that room, on this important decision, it should tell you something. They'll ask doctrinal questions, no doubt, and if they didn't bring their Bibles, you may be looking at a group who rely on the best human reasoning available rather that God's counsel. Should say that such doesn't disqualify them from a place you'd like to serve, but it indicates an area where you may be very helpful to them in bringing them back to God's sovereignty in future preaching. Hurry slowly... And be honest! They will want to hear & see you preach. You've known of this interview for months & if you pull out & dust off the best sermon you have ever preached & present that one, you're communicating that is the caliber of lesson they can expect every Lord's Day & that's not the truth. That's the "swimsuit competition" part of interviews & if you're not prayerfully cautious, it can be deceiptful. Phoney. The tyranny of preaching is that Sunday comes once a week. You'll not hit it out of the park every time & you know it, so don't pretend to them that you will. May ask them what they would like you to preach /teach on the day of your interview & work up that lesson for that occasion. More honest that way. They see how God can use you & determine more accurately if this marriage will work.

[@jefffuhr2393]

@johndufford5561 *Thank you* for your comment, which also is great advice! And applicable to a great many things in life. (IMHO)

[@mohanram1397]

Awesome. Praise ye the Lord. Hallelujah!

[@thepastorwill]

This is absolute gold!

[@drjeremywilliams]

1. Be Honest 2. Tell the Truth 3. Refer to 1 and 2

[@BibleStudywithVernon]

I say this with love and passion, we should just obey 2 Timothy 2:2. Over 250 pastors quit the ministry monthly, most instances pertain to outsourcing.

[@HowToMinistries]

Very timely, thank you!

[@lbrooks7785]

Dear Dr. York, Can you do a pastor well on how to deal with underpaid staff, particularly the pastor? Better yet, how to talk to the finance leader.

[@teddyboy252]

Thank-you so much

[@j.naranjo8395]

Great sound advice!

[@mchristr]

A search committee? The corporate influence in the Church is reprehensible. That fellowship should have already been in the process of raising up one of their own. In the case of a very small congregation, they should already be familiar with character of anyone being considered for eldership. Is the man really called to serve, or is he simply climbing the "corporate ladder"?

[@williammarinelli2363]

"Short truthful statements are your friend...it's enough to say, for instance, if you're a Southern Baptist, you know, I agree completely with the Baptist Faith and Message 2000." 13 pages. 5080 words. Stealth Calvinism from a Calvinistic seminary.