Your Complete Guide to the Pastoral Search Process
- GMBSC of MS, Inc.
- 6 days ago
- 2 min read
Selecting a new pastor is one of the most important decisions a congregation will ever make. Using the proven Pastoral Search Process guidelines developed by the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc., churches can move through each phase with clarity, structure, and unity of purpose.
This guide provides structured steps, tools, and templates to help congregations prayerfully, fairly, and effectively select a new pastor, ensuring both leadership and congregational input are valued throughout the process.
1. Forming an Effective Pastoral Search Committee
A strong committee brings balanced representation from church leadership and ministry teams, including deacons, trustees, Christian education, youth ministry, music ministry, and at-large members. An odd number of members helps ensure decisive voting.
2. Conducting a Congregational Survey
Church members help shape the pastoral profile by providing input on expectations, qualifications, ministry strengths, teaching styles, and desired pastoral attributes. These insights guide the search committee’s criteria and job announcement.
3. Managing the Application & Candidate Review Process
From setting resume deadlines to screening applicants, the committee narrows the pool to the most qualified candidates. Decline letters and invitation letters help maintain respect and professionalism during the process.
4. Interviewing & Hosting Candidates
Committees use structured interview questions that explore doctrinal alignment, leadership style, vision, strengths, weaknesses, and philosophy of ministry. Churches are encouraged to invite candidates to preach, teach, and engage with the congregation.
5. Evaluating Candidates with Integrity
A formal candidate evaluation tool allows committee members to review teaching, preaching, confidence, doctrinal clarity, personality, and overall congregational response on a standardized scale. This creates fairness and measurable comparison.
6. Preparing for the Final Vote
Before voting, committees coordinate with deacons and trustees to finalize compensation packages, establish voting procedures, and seek oversight from an unbiased moderator to ensure orderly congregational meetings.
This comprehensive pastoral search process ensures that churches select a pastor prayerfully, strategically, and with full congregational unity.
