Pastor Search Process: Calling a New Pastor 2022

The Pastor Search Process Everything you need to know about calling a new pastor . . . . . . step by step . . . 2022 The Pastor Search Process 1

The Pastor Search Process Q&A Question: Isn t this just church language for a personnel search? Answer: NO, it s so much more! Calling a pastor involves a spiritual discernment process. Stay Calm and Carry On... This can be an exciting spiritual journey for your church. 2022 The Pastor Search Process 2

Helpful Acronyms PNC = Pastor Nominating Committee COM = Committee on Ministry MIF = Ministry Information Form PIF = Personal Information Form 2022 The Pastor Search Process 3

Beginnings ending a current call FIRST the decision is made that the pastoral call between the church and the current pastor is ending, and that decision must be communicated to the General Presbyter or the Committee on Ministry of the Presbytery of Arkansas, either through the liaison or Moderator. THEN the COM liaison will work with The Session, The congregation, and especially the PNC, if and when one is elected 2022 The Pastor Search Process 4

Beginnings Exit Interviews and Final Worship The liaison will conduct an exit interview with the departing pastor The COM liaison, or a representative of the COM, will attend the last worship service of the pastor and declare the pulpit vacant. . . . and . . . There s more! 2022 The Pastor Search Process 5

Beginnings Initial Meeting with the Session The Liaison(s) will then meet with the Session to Explain the call/search process Explain the role of the Session, PNC, and COM Explain nomination and election of a PNC, if and when one is elected Discuss the possibility of a Transitional Pastor or other temporary pastoral leadership Discuss the possible need for a mission study Discuss setting a budget for the PNC if and when one is elected Discuss and determine the range of salary for the new pastor 2022 The Pastor Search Process 6

Beginnings Considerations Other things for the session to consider Sabbatical Leave Repair/Remodel the Manse if there is one Repair/Remodel the church office Possible changes to church staff 2022 The Pastor Search Process 7

Beginnings Making the Pastor Search Official When the Session receives permission from the Committee on Ministry a congregational meeting is called to Elect a Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) And the Adventure Begins! 2022 The Pastor Search Process 8

Initial work of the Pastor Nominating Committee Elects a Chairperson and a Clerk Determines how often they will meet Decides how their decisions will be made By a simple majority? By a Unanimous vote? 2022 The Pastor Search Process 9

The MIF (Ministry Information Form) The PNC begins work on the MIF Be frank and open Consider how your MIF will be read This is your opportunity to shine Your church s MIF must be approved by the COM liaisons Your church s MIF must be approved by the Session 2022 The Pastor Search Process 10

Posting the MIF Online Once approved, the Chair of the COM can provide passwords for online access for the: PNC Clerk of Session Go to pcusa.org/clc to enter the form online Once the MIF is online the General Presbyter will perform an initial match and send PIFs to the Chair of the PNC 2022 The Pastor Search Process 11

Other Information Besides the MIF Work with the session, or whomever is responsible for the church s website, to make sure that it is current and tells the story of the church well, because anyone considering your congregation will definitely check it out! The MIF may be linked to the website. New information may be added to the website as needed for the good of the search. Other means of communicating the search for a pastor may be considered in addition to the MIF. 2022 The Pastor Search Process 12

Receiving PIFs (Personal Information Forms) PIFs may be received Through the computerized process from Church Leadership Connection (CLC) The PNC may ask a pastor they ve heard about to submit a form Pastors may self-refer Always remember: CONFIDENTIALITY is key! 2022 The Pastor Search Process 13

Communication with Congregation The PNC may not share information about who they are considering, or where they are looking, but the PNC does need to regularly communicate with the congregation to share general information, and ask for their prayers. Good information to share includes: How often the PNC meets How many PIFs they have received and reviewed How many pastors/candidates they have talked with How they feel about the process Speak at worship and through other communications! 2022 The Pastor Search Process 14

Receiving Personal Information Forms After the MIF is online and the initial match is made, PIFs will start coming to you Every member of the PNC should read each PIF carefully A process of prioritization or ranking system needs to be determined in order to narrow the list Decide how you will respond to applicants When you need more PIFs ask the General Presbyter for more!!! 2022 The Pastor Search Process 15

Contacting the Candidate The PNC should immediately call all prospective candidates the PNC is interested in and ask: Are you still seeking a call? Would you be interested in receiving further information and a copy of our MIF? Would you send a link to a sermon? The members of the PNC should then begin calling references listed on the PIF under review 2022 The Pastor Search Process 16

Contacting the Candidate Call at a convenient time Have your questions prepared Introduce yourself and explain what the call is about Ask if this is a good time to talk. If it s not, then when would be a good time? Take notes Thank them for taking the time to talk 2022 The Pastor Search Process 17

Contacting References For confidentiality reasons, be careful about contacting any secondary references, meaning references not on their form, without the candidate s knowledge. The Chair of the Committee on Ministry of their Presbytery is a safe secondary reference to contact. Under no circumstances are you to contact members of a pastor s present congregation without her or his permission to do so! 2022 The Pastor Search Process 18

Vetting the Candidate Keep your COM Liaisons in the information loop as you consider potential candidates. Including them in all emails going to PNC members is a good way to keep them informed. The General Presbyter or COM Moderator must also do reference checks on all candidates prior to the PNC bringing a candidate in or visiting that person in person there s no use falling in love with a potential pastor if there are serious issues with that person that only a conversation between General Presbyters would reveal. 2022 The Pastor Search Process 19

Contacting the Candidate After checking references, the PNC may communicate with the candidate in a variety of ways: Telephone conversations Conference calls Email and texts Video Zoom conferences Facetime Going to visit the church where the pastor is serving, if serving a church, but with great care so as not to be recognized or jeopardize confidentiality!!! 2022 The Pastor Search Process 20

Conversations Conversations may continue with all potential candidates as the list of those you are interested in is narrowed down. But take care to focus on the two or three on the top of your list. Check in regularly with those you are interested in to ensure they are still interested in YOU. While you are deliberating, pastors may be called by another church. 2022 The Pastor Search Process 21

What if the Candidate is not already ordained? If the person being considered for your church is a candidate for ordination under care of a Preparation for Ministry Committee, the COM will consult with that committee 2022 The Pastor Search Process 22

Bringing a Candidate In The candidate and family may be brought to the community after the General Presbyter or COM Moderator has visited with their Presbytery representative. If the PNC is serious about a candidate, then an examination of that candidate by COM could be set up to occur during the candidate s visit. But an exam at this stage would only be needed if the candidate and PNC are working on finalizing a call. 2022 The Pastor Search Process 23

Face-to-Face Visit The PNC will meet with the candidate to Show them the church Show them around town/community Schools, homes, places of interest Have an in-depth conversation about the church and the call Be careful about confidentiality! Spouse may be invited 2022 The Pastor Search Process 24

Examination of Candidate When a PNC wishes to extend a call, then the potential pastor is examined by the Examinations Subcommittee of the COM regarding Their faith journey Their fit with the church The constitutional areas of examination: Theology Worship and Sacraments Presbyterian Polity Their connection and commitment to the PC(USA) 2022 The Pastor Search Process 25

Other Requirements for Potential Candidate A Pastor who is called by a congregation of the Presbytery of Arkansas must also: Complete Background Check forms for the presbytery s sexual misconduct polity Submit a one-page Statement of Faith that is generally included in a Personal Information Form (PIF) 2022 The Pastor Search Process 26

Decision Time IF the COM Examinations Subcommittee sustains the examination, and IF the PNC wishes to extend a call to the candidate THEN the PNC communicates that desire to the candidate and, if the candidate also feels called, they work together on the terms of call ..THEN .. 2022 The Pastor Search Process 27

Decision Time IF the PNC and candidate agree that God is calling the pastor to this congregation THENthe PNC submits to the COM the terms of all for approval IF the COM approves the terms of call THEN the Session calls a congregational meeting to elect the Pastor ..THEN .. 2022 The Pastor Search Process 28

Decision Time IF the congregation elects the candidate to be their pastor THEN the PNC works with the incoming Pastor to provide the COM with Date and time for an Installation/Ordination service Offering recipient Names for members of an Administrative Commission to install/ordain The Moderator of Presbytery moderates, and all members should be asked prior to their names being submitted 2022 The Pastor Search Process 29

Then at the next presbytery meeting, COM will recommend that the Presbytery approve the pastor for membership in the presbytery that the information concerning the Administrative Commission and worship service to install/ordain be approved 2022 The Pastor Search Process 30

Presbyterys COM is here to help and we are with you and your congregation as you go through this process 2022 The Pastor Search Process 31