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When a Church Seeks New Staff

When a Church Seeks New Staff. An Overview of the Search Committee Process.

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When a Church Seeks New Staff

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  1. When a ChurchSeeks New Staff An Overview of the Search Committee Process

  2. The information provided is based on experiences of past search committees. It is intended solely as a guide. Each Baptist church is autonomous and is responsible for its own procedures regarding finding and calling ministry staff. --Education/Discipleship Team, BGCT

  3. A staff position at your church becomes vacant The Vacancy Challenge Emerges orYour church creates a new staff position

  4. What steps should be taken?When should they be taken?Who is responsible for those steps? The Vacancy Challenge Emerges

  5. The search process includes: Congregation’s Responsibilities Search Committee Responsibilities …During the Candidate Search Search Committee Responsibilities …After Selecting a Candidate

  6. Responsibilities of Congregation Decide how responsibilities of vacant staff position will be handled until a new staff is selected. Consider forming a transition committee.

  7. Responsibilities of Congregation If position is for pastor, consider calling an interim pastor: Traditional/ Intentional Interim Pastor The interim is a good time to develop a clear sense of expectations for the new pastor as well as to clarify and evaluate the church’s identity and vision.

  8. Responsibilities of Congregation Covenant to pray for the search committee and the future minister.

  9. Responsibilities of Congregation Select search committee members based on your church’s by-laws.

  10. Responsibilities of Congregation Consider a church-wide self-discovery and re-visioning time.

  11. Responsibilities of Congregation Consider a church-wide survey or a church-wide open forum to discover church perceived expectations.

  12. Responsibilities of Congregation Create/revise a job description for the position.

  13. Responsibilities of Congregation • Create/revise a reasonable compensation package.

  14. Responsibilities of Congregation Gather appropriate/official documents for search committee reference.

  15. Responsibilities of Congregation Submit résumés of prospects to search committee.

  16. Responsibilities of Search Committee During the Search: Choose officers: Chair Vice-Chair Recording Secretary (Correspondence Secretary?) (Prayer Coordinator?)

  17. Responsibilities of Search Committee During the Search: Establish guidelines for how the committee will function.

  18. Responsibilities of Search Committee During the Search: Guidelines: • Attend a search committee workshop • Set up meeting schedule • Plan for reporting to congregation • Outline committee expense budget • Decide what vote percentage to require

  19. Responsibilities of Search Committee During the Search: More Guidelines: • Set procedures for alternates • Set rules of confidentiality • Set travel guidelines • Prepare a committee covenant

  20. Responsibilities of Search Committee During the Search: Spend time building relationships. Commit to pray together regularly, asking for the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

  21. Responsibilities of Search Committee During the Search: Discuss committee/church views of: • doctrine • theology • leadership styles • worship styles • other issues that the committee members believe would be significant

  22. Responsibilities of Search Committee During the Search: Decide whether or not to put ads in Baptist newspapers (state & association).

  23. Responsibilities of Search Committee During the Search: Clarify a desirable profile for person to fill the open staff position.

  24. Responsibilities of Search Committee During the Search: Meet with your church’s present staff: • Listen/respond to their concerns • Explore their insights • Assure them as you can

  25. Responsibilities of Search Committee During the Search: Collect prospect résumés: • From your church members and staff • From BGCT’s Leader Connect service ……(www.texasbaptists.org/leaderconnect • From Directors of Missions • From other churches’ staffs • From seminaries, universities

  26. Responsibilities of Search Committee During the Search: Verify each prospect’s availability and interest: • Ask if they wish to be considered • Allow door to remain open if possible • Keep the résumé either way—things change

  27. Responsibilities of Search Committee During the Search: Examine prospect résumés based on the prepared profile.

  28. Responsibilities of Search Committee During the Search: Contact those being considered for permission to perform reference checks.

  29. Responsibilities of Search Committee During the Search: Prioritize remaining possible candidates’ résumés.

  30. Responsibilities of Search Committee During the Search: Check references: • By mail • By phone • Be considerate

  31. Responsibilities of Search Committee During the Search: Work with only one candidate at a time.

  32. Responsibilities of Search Committee During the Search: Determine the procedure for considering candidates. • When and where to meet • When and where to observe candidate • When to have candidate come to your community and church.

  33. Responsibilities of Search Committee During the Search: Determine procedure for considering candidate. • Neutral location for first meeting • A few observe candidate—report • Second meeting • Committee observes candidate

  34. Responsibilities of Search Committee During the Search: Determine procedure for considering candidate. Allow Candidate to: • View community/church facility • Meet your leaders/staff • Participate in service for congregation’s consideration

  35. Responsibilities of Search Committee During the Search: Contact prospect to express interest. • Consider confidentiality when contacting prospect. • Let prospect know right away when no longer being considered.

  36. Responsibilities of Search Committee During the Search: Create confidential file on each prospect. • Only committee has access. • Destroy file when prospect no longer being considered.

  37. Responsibilities of Search Committee During the Search: Perform background checks. • Verify permission with candidate. • Include at least these: • Credit • Criminal (national / state) • Sexual Offender • Identity Verification • Education Verification

  38. Responsibilities of Search Committee During the Search: Set up first face-to-face meeting. • Neutral location, relaxed, confidential • Allow candidate to ask questions. • Get a “feel” for candidate and spouse.

  39. Responsibilities of Search Committee During the Search: Observe Candidate in Worship Service • Ask if it will be an appropriate Sunday to visit. • Arrive a little early. • Do not take notes in an obvious manner during the service—exit quickly after the service.

  40. Responsibilities of Search Committee During the Search: Have Second Face-Face Meeting • Allow candidate to tour facilities and see community. • Ask more penetrating questions. • Discuss money matters, personnel policies, faith and vision, job description, results of church questionnaire.

  41. Responsibilities of Search Committee During the Search: Decide if candidate is the one for your church. • Let candidate know promptly either way. • If candidate says yes, begin planning appropriate process for presenting the candidate to the congregation.

  42. Responsibilities of Search Committee After Candidate Is Selected: Check constitution and by-laws for procedure guidelines.

  43. Responsibilities of Search Committee After Candidate Is Selected: Anticipate and meet the needs of the congregation so they can make an informed decision. • Develop an information piece. • Mail information to church members (carefully consider timing).

  44. Responsibilities of Search Committee After Candidate Is Selected: Consider a minister/church covenant. • Both church and candidate contribute to its contents. • Expectations are clarified for both church and candidate.

  45. Responsibilities of Search Committee After Candidate Is Selected: Finalize proposed “package” to be offered. • Most will have been done. • Customize the original version to fit this particular candidate’s experience, needs, and qualifications.

  46. Responsibilities of Search Committee After Candidate Is Selected: Plan for candidate’s participation in Sunday worship. • Inform staff involved in service • Provide bulletin information to office • Make hotel reservations if needed • Assign person to escort candidate

  47. Responsibilities of Search Committee After Candidate Is Selected: Consider introducing candidate to present church staff and lay leaders before the service.

  48. Responsibilities of Search Committee After Candidate Is Selected: Allow church members to vote at a time when most will be present.

  49. Responsibilities of Search Committee After Candidate Is Selected: Let candidate know results of the vote as soon as possible. Allow candidate plenty of time to consider and to inform current church.

  50. Responsibilities of Search Committee After Candidate Is Selected: Celebrate new minister’s arrival. • Consider filling their pantry. • Provide welcome notes. • Be sensitive to their pain in leaving former church and friends.

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