Everybody’s Trying Out — preachers and churches

A few months ago, a preacher-friend told me he hated the selection process. He felt uncomfortable and intimidated in a room with several people asking him questions, knowing that his selection depended on what he said, how he said it, how he looked, and how his wife and children acted before, during, and after Sunday services.

I suggested he equalize the pressure. He should have questions for the elders and the search committee. He needs to talk with preachers who’ve worked with this church for the past twenty-five years, the secretary, members, members who left, and other Christians in the community. It’s good to listen to and watch sermons from former preachers. Let those searching tell what they like most about the congregation and what they want to see improved. Ask about their Bible study habits. How do they function and grow in their roles? Ask what reading and training they’ve done in the past twelve months as elders, teachers, deacons, and members to grow. In what way do they see themselves being more like Jesus than they were twelve months ago?

Considerations for Both Preacher and Church

1. Would you rather have a plumber with few tools and leaky faucets at home or one with a history of excellent work and many references for dependable service?
2. When you look for a preacher, will you look for one who seems unprepared and uninterested in what he’s preaching, with no references that say he’s prepared and engaging, challenging, and comforting in his classes and sermons, and Christ-like in his life?
3. When a prospective preacher talks with you, will he be more impressed when you tell him what you will do individually, and as a congregation if he comes to be your preacher, or when you speak and show him how you’re consistently becoming more and more like Jesus in your daily life and are working together as a group of God’s people serving this community and sharing the good news with your friends here and abroad? Tell your history of encouraging and supporting preachers who work with you.
4. It’s too late to start preparing for the interview three days before the interview. Being a disciple of Jesus is a daily practice.
5. The purpose of the interview process is to determine if the church and preacher fit. It’s first objective isn’t to “get a job” or “hire the preacher.” It’s to see if we can work together, respect and appreciate the opportunity of being connected, and mutually feel blessed by being on the same team.

And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” — Luke 9:23, ESV

Many ask me, “How many churches do you noticeably help as an interim minister?” The answer is about 50%. Some congregations talk about what they will do when the new preacher arrives after I leave. Others grow individually and as a group in the grace and knowledge of Jesus. They say, “Speak, Lord, your servant is listening,” — not, “When are the elders going to do what we want them to do,” and the elders ask, “When are the members going to do what we told them to do?”

Here is a principle I repeat when a church is looking for a preacher and a preacher is looking for a church:

Everybody is trying out!

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