Update on our pastoral search. [View all]

[ColesCountyDem]

After the congregation endorsed our recommendations regarding educational and professional requirements, total compensation package, statement of beliefs and 'vision statement', we set about creating both a DVD and printed 'church profile' for prospective pastors. On January 1st, our ad in our denomination's national magazine seeking a pastor appeared.

Since the ad's publication, we have received a total of 73 resumes from qualified pastors! We are pleasantly amazed. When we met with our regional minister and expressed both our pleasure and surprise, she told us that she was NOT surprised at all. She informed us that we had done 'an excellent job' with our presentation, our congregation is not divided or feuding, our finances are in good shape, we have a clear vision of our future and our expectations for our next pastor and, tongue in cheek, that we had not made the mistake of seeking to employ Jesus himself. Dr. Johnson said that this last item is often a church's stumbling block, when seeking a new pastor, and that we had not fallen prey to it.

Now the hard work begins-- reducing the number of prospective pastors about whom we wish to know more to a dozen, or so. Each of us on the committee have agreed to pick ten prospects we believe to be 'the best', and then meet and compare our choices, where we will discuss what we believe to be each one's greatest strengths and weaknesses.

Pray for us and for our prospects, that God may grant us all the wisdom to extend our call to the man or woman to lead us into the future.

Thank you!