Many pastor search processes gear up or reconvene after Christmas. If your pastor search team doesn’t know where to start, has hit a snag, or has a Big Question it’s not sure how to answer, good news! Practical Resources for Churches is hosting (and I am leading) a free webinar on best practices for pastor search teams on Thursday, January 20, from 7:00-8:00 pm eastern.
In this webinar your pastor search team will learn best practices for conducting a search that not only results in calling a great-fit pastor but that also promotes spiritual transformation for those involved and blesses the candidates that come into contact with your process. I’ll give a brief overview of all the opportunities baked into a pastor search and the head/heart orientation that will allow your search team to make the most of them. I’ll provide an introduction to the five main stages of a pastor search, explaining how their completion contributes to a successful search process and a great foundation for mutual ministry with your new pastor, along with best practices for each stage. I’ll take a deeper dive on some questions that are common to many search teams, such as where to search, how to review materials, what questions to ask of yourselves and the candidates, and how to communicate with candidates. There will be particular tips for small churches and part-time calls. Ample time will be reserved for questions specific to your situation.
Even if you aren’t able to attend the webinar live, you can register and receive the webinar recording afterward. I encourage you then to register and to share the webinar information with others who might be interested. If your search team needs more guidance after the webinar, I offer affordable, remote coaching and training options.
I look forward to my first opportunity to work with Practical Resources for Churches, a nonprofit ecumenical resource center for churches. It presents over 60 webinars each year, many featuring nationally recognized presenters and authors, in the areas of faith formation; children's, youth, adult, and intergenerational ministry; church management; stewardship and finance; technology; worship; caring ministry; and more. Each year thousands of people from around the country and the world watch or register for these webinars. All of PRC’s webinars are free.
