My husband has served three churches during his 13 years in pastoral ministry. We've had the opportunity to interact with many search committees, which is an exasperating experience at times.
As a pastor's family, we will never be on a pastoral search committee or be able to directly influence the process. This letter, then, is my attempt to make candidating more humane.
1. Simplify the first round of questioning.
Many search committees use lengthy questionnaires to make their preliminary cut of candidates. Some have required more than 50 pages.
Please consider using a short questionnaire with broad questions like "Are there any areas of our church's statement of faith that you disagree with?" instead of long lists of issues such as "What are your views on women's roles? … on music? … on abortion?"
More detail may be appropriate after you have narrowed the candidate list.
2. You want timely responses of us. Please return the favor.
We have often waited months between phases of a committee's search before hearing any response from them. We totally understand that search committees are not doing this full time, that they have jobs and families; but please appoint a correspondence secretary and keep those on your list up to date.
3. Tell us about your church.
You ask for tons of information from prospective candidates. Please provide information to us about your church and your community.
My husband is routinely asked personal details of his life and ministry by strangers. He is often required to name friends and references without knowing a thing about the church making the contact.
Please include at least a one-page sheet about your church (leadership style, worship style, size) and your community (demographics, economy, schools). We would like information to prayerfully consider applying, or to avoid wasting your time.
4. Reject others as you would have them reject you.
When communicating rejection to a pastor, would you be so kind as to say something positive before you say, "After much prayer, we have decided that you are not a good fit for us"?
It is incredibly disheartening, after spending hours on a questionnaire, to receive a terse, impersonal rejection letter.
My husband remembers one rejection letter that actually made him feel good. The committee commented on his strengths and gifts even though he was not the right match for them. It was obviously not a form letter, and he benefited from the thought that went into it.
We will appreciate whatever you can do to make the search more productive and positive for everyone involved. May God bless you in your search.
A pastor's wife from California.
