{"id":3777,"date":"2015-06-24T13:51:13","date_gmt":"2015-06-24T20:51:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/admin.patheos.com\/blogs\/irreverin\/?p=3777"},"modified":"2015-06-24T13:51:13","modified_gmt":"2015-06-24T20:51:13","slug":"good-call-10-ways-to-nail-that-pastoral-search-interview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/irreverin\/2015\/06\/good-call-10-ways-to-nail-that-pastoral-search-interview\/","title":{"rendered":"Good Call: 10 Ways to Nail that Pastoral Search Interview"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

It\u2019s that time again. All over the country, exhausted pastoral search committees plow through another pile of profiles, fumble with the technology for another round of Skype interviews, and miss another week of family dinner times to make a series of reference-check phone calls. Meanwhile, pastors sit anxiously by the phone, like they are waiting for the daggone quarterback to call on a Friday night, just hoping for that next small sign of hope: \u201cwe are moving ahead in our selection process, and we\u2019d like to talk to you again.\u201d<\/p>\n

Last spring, I wrote about things a pastoral search committee shouldn\u2019t ask <\/a>the candidate. Some of the questions are downright illegal; some are in poor taste; and others, while not exactly harmful, are a dramatic exercise in missing the point.\u00a0\"map\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Since it\u2019s that season again\u2014when search teams double down their efforts in the hopes of securing a new pastor before the school\/program year begins\u2014we\u2019ll\u00a0continue the conversation: this time, for the pastors hoping to receive a new call.<\/p>\n

Clearly, this is not an exhaustive list of do\u2019s and don\u2019ts. Every congregation is different; and I\u2019ve only done this a few times, so I am by no means an expert. But I know enough pastors who have done this well, that I feel comfortable sharing a list of best practices. These basic guidelines will not only make a candidate appealing to a congregation; but will\u00a0also help the pastor in his\/her own discernment about whether a particular church would be a good fit. Because this long, arduous road goes two ways\u2026<\/p>\n

1. Avoid<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0stock answers and the clich\u00e9s<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0\u00a0I read a search and profile call once where the candidate, when asked about his long-term career goals, had stated \u201cMy only career goal is to someday hear my Lord and master say \u2018well done, good and faithful servant.'\u201d Well\u2026 that was a conversation stopper alright, but probably not in the way this guy intended. Seriously, a church wants to get to know YOU. Answers to personal questions should not sound like a Hallmark card or a bumper sticker; and answers to theological questions should not sound like a passage you memorized out of a text book<\/em>. Be authentic. Be concise. Be original.<\/p>\n

2. Know who you are as a pastor; and be prepared to articulate it in 200 words or less.<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0<\/strong>You KNOW they are going to ask you about your strengths and gifts. You don\u2019t have to talk extensively about either, but you should be able to speak\u00a0specifically\u00a0<\/em>about both. It doesn\u2019t make you conceited, it makes you confident and self aware. They will also ask about weaknesses, so be prepared to say a few words about that (note: do not say \u201cMy only weakness is that I work too hard and care too much!\u201d) Do, though, leave your weakness on a positive note: \u201cI am not the best at ____, but I\u2019ve learned how to compensate for that by ____.\u201d Or, \u201cSometimes I struggle to _____, but I know how to delegate\/place the right people in that role.\u201d Etc. And finally\u2013beyond the surface gifts\/strengths conversation, be prepared to discuss some relevant experiences and learnings from specific ministry settings<\/em>. These folks only know where you\u2019ve been on paper. They may not know anything about the kind of context you\u2019re coming from, and how it shaped you for this new challenge. Tell them!<\/p>\n

3.\u00a0Find out what they understand the role of the pastor to be<\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>in their particular setting. There is not necessarily a right or wrong answer here\u2026 however, if you are in a room of 10 people and get 4 different answers, then that\u2019s a problem\u2026 Meanwhile, knowing what they expect\/desire will help you better answer the rest of their questions.<\/p>\n

4. Don\u2019t bring your baggage.<\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>I\u2019m not talking about the stuff you had at the airport when they picked you up. I mean like, your spiritual\/emotional baggage from what might have been painful or disappointing about your last call. You can be honest about it\u2013in the simplest terms\u2013but this is not a counseling session. And they are not your spiritual directors. Crying about the toxic personnel chair or the unfair family leave policy at your other church is like crying about your ex on a first date. Said date is NOT gonna call you again.<\/p>\n

5.\u00a0Don\u2019t make assumptions.<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0<\/strong>Just because they called you back for a second interview doesn\u2019t mean it\u2019s in the bag, so don\u2019t make \u201cWhen\u201d or \u201cWill\u201d statements. (WHEN I get here\/we WILL change\u2026) Until votes are in and paperwork is signed, everything comes with an IF. But at the same time, r<\/strong><\/em>emember that you are interviewing them, too.<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0<\/strong>Take every opportunity to ask more questions. This reminds them that they also want to impress you.<\/p>\n

6. Get a feel for the area.<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0Not just the community, but for the larger Church that you will be a part of. Talk to colleagues who serve in the same conference\/region\/diocese and ask them what the leadership is like; what continuing ed or leadership development resources are available; how often clergy connect for support; etc. While they may not seem important early in the process, these are all things that could be a big part of your daily life in an actual call, and can really make or break your overall success and happiness. (It is also good to know about clergy groups and interfaith gatherings outside of your own denomination. Especially if your denomination is not strong in a particular area).<\/p>\n

7. Ask open-ended questions<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0about the identity, mission and values of the church. Not that you are listening for a particular answer; but you do want to gauge how well a committee can capture its congregational sense of self. If they don\u2019t know or don\u2019t have clear answers, that might be ok. To say \u201cWe don\u2019t really have a strong sense of mission focus right now, and that is something you might be able to help us with,\u201d then great. Yes, you probably CAN help them with that. But if you ask the question and they give you a blank \u201cwe\u2019ve never thought about that before\u201d stare\u2026 This might be a tough place to serve. Maybe run. Unless there is some otherwise compelling reason not to.<\/p>\n

8. Look at the budget.<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0<\/strong>Always, always ask to see the budget. Talk to colleagues or denominational leaders to learn about what is fair compensation for the area; look at the overall mission giving in relation to the total operating amount; and among other things, find out if giving is distributed among the members in a healthy way. A scary financial picture does not have to be a deal-breaker. Most churches, with good leadership and intentional planning, can greatly improve their fiscal health over time. Just know what you\u2019re walking into, and make sure you\u2019re equipped to deal.. and that they are prepared to LET you deal. (see #3). Furthermore, asking to see the numbers\u2013and being prepared to discuss them\u2013will give the committee confidence in your administrative leadership. And also show them that you aren\u2019t afraid of the more difficult parts of ministry.<\/p>\n

9. When in doubt\u2026gather stories.<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0<\/strong>At some point, they\u2019ll be done asking questions, and they\u2019ll say \u201cnow what else can we tell you about us?\u201d Don\u2019t miss that moment!\u00a0Never say\u00a0\u201cno, I think everything I need to know is in your profile.\u201d It never is. If nothing else\u2013ask the committee members what THEY love about their church, or why they are committed to this ministry. This will tell you more about the congregation than anything they put in writing. Also, it says to them that you care about them as people and leaders, and not just as potential employers. Which, of course, you do.<\/p>\n

10. Finally, go in with pink hair<\/strong><\/em>. Or an exposed tattoo or your favorite nose ring. Or crazy shoes. Or that one ugly tie your kids got you for Father\u2019s day. Doesn\u2019t matter what it is\u2026 But in addition to your professional\/clerical attire, sport something that is uniquely you,<\/em>\u00a0that you might otherwise think twice about sharing on a first date. Let it fly. Because listen\u2026 if they don\u2019t want you because of that thing, then you aren\u2019t going to be happy there for long. You can only hide your own personal brand of crazy for so long. Best find out early if it\u2019s going to fly in this new place.<\/p>\n

Which is to say: Be you. Say what\u2019s true. And trust the Spirit\u2014if not the arduous, vague, never-ending process\u2014to take care of the details. Peace. And good luck out there.<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s that time again. All over the country, exhausted pastoral search committees plow through another pile of profiles, fumble with the technology for another round of Skype interviews, and miss another week of family dinner times to make a series of reference-check phone calls. Meanwhile, pastors sit anxiously by the phone, like they are waiting […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1154,"featured_media":3778,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[59,105,1081,805,1080],"class_list":["post-3777","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-faith-and-community","tag-church","tag-ministry","tag-ministry-placement","tag-pastoral-life","tag-search-and-call"],"yoast_head":"\nGood Call: 10 Ways to Nail that Pastoral Search Interview<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"It's that time again. 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