Leadership Journal

One pastor recently said, "I would rather ride a bucking bronco of a church than try to prop up a dead mule." It's helpful to know if you're going to get either of those beasts before you mount up.

Just as the search committee is going to be thorough, the candidate needs to be thorough, as well. Asking is critical. Here is a list of strategic questions to help you discern any potential problems when you're seeking that "perfect" church.

Does the committee tend to define itself by its past, or is it excited about dreams for the future? Do the core values look inward or outward? Rick Ezell, pastor of Naperville (Illinois) Baptist Church, believes it's similar to describing an individual: "I can say, 'I'm tall, but I'd like to be taller. I'm growing, but I'm not growing like I should.' I'm listing a lot of negative inflections." That may point to some past conflict or a negative spirit.

Was the church born out of a split? "Even if it's 100 years old," says Leroy Armstrong, pastor of Greater Good Hope Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky, "there's a good possibility that through the generations since the split, that spirit of fighting might still be in the church."

Have they defined its mission? Does it have a well-thought-out strategy?

What sets this church apart from other churches in terms of character, culture, staff? What specific people groups does it reach out to, or what specific ministries does it operate that no other church in this community does?

"When I asked this of one search committee, a couple of guys looked at me like, 'Why would you want to know that?'" said John Beukema of the Village Church in Western Springs, Illinois. "That told me a bundle about them. They were not thinking about outreach."

Does the church have a commitment to follow Jesus Christ as head?

1. worship
   
2. small group Bible studies
   
3. board meetings
   
4. business meetings
   
5. special events.
   

Do members of the committee agree or do they give opposite answers?

The answers should tell you how the church perceives its greatest needs and greatest strengths.

The number of ministries will indicate how involved the membership is.

If none, you may encounter the we've-never-done-it-that-way-before syndrome.

Leroy Armstrong recognizes that "invariably the pulpit search committee is made up of influential, respected people. If they don't have any dreams, it's not likely that many in the congregation will have any."

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