In order to get good matches it is important for congregations and clergy to understand each other on a very deep level. Here are some questions that will help congregations understand who they are hiring.
Who is Jesus God?
Who is Jesus Christ?
Who is the Holy Spirit?
What is God like?*
What is your philosophy of leadership?
How do you manage staff?
How do you view the authority of the office of pastor?
What does it mean to be a servant of the church?
How do you do evaluations?
Who currently supervises you?
How do you give difficult feedback?
What is your view of change?
How has your ministry improved over the time you have been in ministry?
What did you once believe about ministry that you now think is wrong?
What is a mistake you have made in leadership? What did you learn from it?
What is your view of the role of pastor?
What task of being a pastor do you find most meaningful?
What task do you find most draining?
What are your goals for the first 30 days? 6 months? 1 year?
What is your view of the role of deacons?
What is your view of the role of church committees?
What is your view of how administration should be done in the Church?
What is your view of the role of women in the Church? Why?
What denominational groups are you affiliated with and why?
How do you participate in denominational life?
Do you prefer the 1963 Baptist Faith and Message or the 2000 Baptist Faith and Message? Why?
Would you call yourself a conservative, moderate, progressive, or some other label? Explain.
What is your position on LGBTQ+ issues?
What is your view of community involvement as a pastor?
What is your view of politics in the life of the Church?
In reading our constitution and by-laws are you in disagreement with any of them? Why?
What is your view of Calvinism?
Did Jesus die for the sins of the world or for the sins of the Church?
What is your view of the inspiration of Scripture?
What ministry related books have you read recently?
Do you follow any pastors/writers? Who? Why?
What books, other than the Bible, have influenced your thinking the most?
What section, book, chapter, or verse of the Bible is most meaningful to you?
What is your view of preaching?
Are there topics you do not address during the sermon?
How long are your sermons on average?
What is your view of worship?
Do you have a preference for contemporary or traditional worship?
What have you done to address the problem of physical/sexual abuse in the Church?
*This is perhaps the most important of all the questions. The way one understands God will have a direct effect on the way one practices ministry even if it is only implicitly.
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