~ A place to find answers to gnawing spiritual questions ~
Question: We are a church without a pastor, and are currently seeking candidates. I would like to know what the proper questions are to ask a candidate.Answer: I am so glad that you have chosen to write this ministry. Not that we have all the answers, but we do desire to give sound practical biblical advice.
The Bible tells us to "know them that labor among you" (1 Thessalonians 5:12). This is speaking to churches, directing that they investigate and understand the person(s) that are ministering to them.
To begin with, you obviously need to call for prayer and fasting among your people. If the word has gotten out within your denomination that you need a pastor, you may begin receiving calls or letters from potential candidates. If the 'headquarters' doesn't know that you are looking for a pastor, they need to know, so that they can pray as well as help you in searching for a pastor.
At this point, you need to ask for resumes of those interested in the position of pastoring your church. This should help reveal vital facts to you about the candidates. This may even help you and the search committee 'weed out' the ones you do not want due to the information that they provide on the resume.
After narrowing the field of potential candidates, you need to decide who you feel most interested in at that point. You can determine this by looking at their resumes. By the way, if the resumes are not that explicit, they need to be redone. If the candidate is not willing to share with you this vital information, they should not be considered for pastoring.
When the search committee decides who looks to be most 'fitting' for your church at this point, they should be asked to come preach for at least one whole weekend of services. DON'T go by their ability to preach alone. Good preachers do not always make good pastors. Hopefully you will get a good preacher (teacher) as well as a good pastor.
The committee should be prepared to ask a series of important questions of the candidate. You can probably obtain a booklet from your church's headquarters that will tell you what kind of questions you should ask. If your headquarters don't have such a book, a Christian book store could provide you with one.
The areas of questioning will involve such things as their beliefs, finances, family, does he believe in visitation, is he personable, etc. Also, make sure his wife is in on the questioning. You may learn a lot about him through her. It would be wise to observe what kind of children they have too (rebellious or obedient); that is if they have children.
You must not be afraid to ask such questions. It is far better to ask at this point, than to have a man come and then disappoint you later on.
You need to call people that know him, such as other churches that he has pastored, seminary professors, as well as other ministers that may know him.
All of these things combined should help you to come to an intelligent decision.
You then want them (candidates) to feel free to ask you some questions. This will help you in determining what is important to him.
I strongly advise that you 'try out' and vote on one candidate at a time. If you do not vote the first man in, then call the next man on the list, and so on. It would be nice if the first man is elected, but if he is not, do not get discouraged, but wait on the Lord for the right man. By the way, do not get desperate either. Too many men have been 'rushed' into pastorates, and many times it has proven to be disastrous.
The main thing is to trust in the Lord to give you the right man for your church. These other things are important, and God wants to give you wisdom in selecting a pastor. You must be willing to use the wisdom that He provides.
May God bless you and help your church to find a pastor that will love and minister to your flock.
