Pastors: don't settle in your searches
Back in the fall I predicted that a tidal wave of pastoral departures awaited near the end of the pandemic. I stand by that assertion, particularly now that:
This might be the hardest stretch of the Covid-19 crisis for clergy.
It is becoming more possible for searching churches to host on-site visits for pastoral candidates, meaning search activity is picking up.
Ministers are starting to accompany their congregations beyond the most restrictive distancing practices, a milepost many had set for themselves before searching for a new call.
Clergy could potentially have in-person closure with the churches they are departing, which is important to many.
If you are a pastor who is searching or whose search is imminent, please do not settle. There will be - and already is, in many denominations - so much turnover. Instead,
Cast a wide net. After a year of staying at home and doing things differently, you probably have developed some new self-awareness. It could be about the shape of your ministry, the kind of place you want to live, your values, or your gifts. Permit yourself to take all of these factors into account as you search.
Apply for positions that seem like stretches to you. The worst a search team can do is say no, which feels terrible but also broadens your network and provides you with more information for discernment. And what might have been a reach for you in a tighter job market might not be now, particularly since you have lots of examples of how you lead well even in crisis.
Name your non-negotiables and stick to them. This might be about compensation or days off, but it might not. Maybe you’ve developed a new ministry passion or skill this past year that you want to have space to continue building on. Maybe you want to push for more meetings via Zoom than in person for reasons that are helpful to you or others.
Take your time. Haven’t found the right fit yet? More and more positions are opening up all the time.
Ask for what you need and for what you’re worth. Yes, it’s important to pay attention to how Covid-19 has impacted a church’s finances and raised questions about long-term sustainability. But with so many congregations searching, now is not the time to undervalue your worth.
Ensure everyone is on the same page regarding expectations. The church is (or at least needs to be) different post-pandemic. Find out what identity, mission, and leadership pieces the congregation you’re considering has and hasn’t already worked through. Talk with the search team about what covenanting with and educating the congregation about the shape of your role could look like.
In short, take heart and be bold. May your search be a process of embracing who God has made you to be and discovering where you can flourish.
Photo by Cherry Laithang on Unsplash.