Pastor Search # 9

"Why Aren't We Happy"

I am writing this from the ninth floor of Seawatch in Myrtle Beach, SC. This week should be perfect. We are here with our son, daughter in law, three and a half year old grandson and our daughter in law's parents. What can get any better than spending a few days at the beach with family, especially grandchildren. The problem is that I am inside. I am looking at the sea from behind a glass patio door. The reason is the temperature. It is cold!!! Who ever heard of having to wear heavy coats when you go to the beach. It just isn't right.

I have seen this play out in too many churches. You go a long time without a pastor. You go through the process of finding "God's Man". Your long awaited day finally arrives. You are excited, ready to go forward, enjoy the new chapter and all of a sudden you realize that it is not turning out like you had planned.

Sometimes it is because the committee may have overlooked some very important information. Too many times the church family is in such a hurry to fill the position that they put pressure on the committee to hurry up and call a pastor. When this happens the results will not be what you want. The warm body may not be a fit for the church.

Sometimes it is because the committee did not get the information needed to make the right fit for the church. We all have been guilty of sending the "sugar stick" sermon DVD to the committee. One sermon will not give a good picture of the pastor's style, personality or theological depth. It is important to use all tools available to get the greatest information in order to make the best decision for the church and the prospective pastor. One of the best things a committee can do is say to a prospect after going through the process, "We are sorry but right now our church is not a good fit for you". It is better to acknowledge that up front rather than wait until the pastor has accepted the position and moved on the field.

At http://www.ministrytogether.com we use a 54 point matching system to address these problems. Our matching questions deal with theological, contemporary, education and many other issues that will match the prospective church and pastor. When the senior pastor position is entered into our system the questions are answered according to the needs and beliefs of the church. The prospective pastors answer the same questions and the database finds and matches them to each other. It works very well and the outcome is a senior pastor or staff person that is matched to the particular church.

If we had chosen a different date for our trip to the beach or if we had checked the weather forecast in December when it was booked we may have had a different outcome. We might be walking on the beach with our grandson rather than cuddled on the couch looking out the window watching the waves.....Preacherman