Searching for a new pastor is a challenging task that many churches find intimidating. Some churches have a history of changing pastors or adding new pastors to their staff regularly. Other churches only need to find new pastoral leadership once every few decades (which means it isn’t something they feel well-versed in doing).

In a denominational context, many churches used to be able to rely on their denomination to supply a pastor when they had a need, but that’s not always an option anymore. Frequently, there are more churches seeking pastors than there are pastors who are available to serve.

In my role of leading a mission board, I’m frequently tasked with the need to find pastors for churches. Listed below is the system I’m using. I have found it to be rather helpful, and if your church has particular bylaws or other requirements, this system could also be adapted to accommodate them.

Candidate Search Process / Steps to finding a new pastor

1. Take an honest assessment of the church to determine what kind of leadership is needed and begin this search process with a time of prayer to seek the Lord’s guidance and providential help.

2. Write a compelling, but honest ad that can be posted on JobsForPastors.com or a similar ministry job directory. Include salary, housing, and benefit details as well as requirements for potential candidates (see sample below).

3. Create a search committee of approximately 5 or so people to review applicants.

4. Take 4-8 weeks to accept applications, review resumes, review doctrinal statements, and listen to previously recorded messages.

5. Invite top applicants to come and speak. Include time to meet with them conversationally afterward. Stream their message to Facebook so it can be re-watched later.

6. Choose your top 2 or 3 candidates from speakers. Invite them to do the following.

• a. Come and speak for two consecutive weeks.

• b. Participate in an informal Q&A session with the congregation after a worship service.

7. Search committee makes a recommendation to the congregation regarding the candidate they feel strongest about, second strongest, and third strongest.

8. Congregation votes to offer candidate the position.

Sample Ad to post on JobsForPastors.com or other ministry job directories

Headline: Bi-vocational pastor needed to revitalize church

Grace Community Church is looking for a bi-vocational pastor to revitalize a church in Philadelphia, PA.

The church has a lot of potential. The property has been cared for even though the congregation has become small. At present, the pulpit is being filled by a faithful member of the church, but the long-term desire of the congregation is to call a full-time pastor who can revitalize this church.

At present, the church averages about 25 people at worship services. Ten years ago, it averaged around 140. Most of the people present in the church remember those days and would like to attempt to get back to becoming a healthy, vibrant church yet again.

The church can offer the pastor that's selected the following compensation:

• Base Salary: $35,000

• Parsonage plus utilities

• Health insurance

• Educational allowance of $1,000 annually

If you have a gift for evangelism, vision, leadership, team-building, and would be interested in becoming part of the Philadelphia, PA community with the goal of making the gospel known, building disciples, and helping to revitalize a struggling church with lots of potential, please take a moment to apply.

As stated above, we are looking for someone who can be bi-vocational. The new pastor will most likely need to have an additional source of outside income during the early years of his service in this church revitalization ministry.

You can read more about our beliefs, practices, and application process by visiting our website.

Basic Job Qualifications: Evangelistic, knowledge of Scripture, gifted leader with strong communication skills. 

© John Stange, 2021