We know how difficult it can be to serve on a search committee. Below are some resources to help congregations begin the process and to help the committee members themselves.
Downloadable documents:
- Pastor Profile Survey - an example of a survey to share with the congregation to help guide the committee in qualities desired in a candidate
- Serving on a Search Committee Can Be Overwhelming - an article by Dave Odom
Search committees are sometimes in awe of their responsibility to chart the future of a congregation and examine the qualifications of a prospective pastor. This strategic work isn’t just about identifying a skilled leader but about finding one with the right mix of skills and character. - Seven Tips for a Better Search Committee by Marv Knox
How should a church behave when it's seeking a pastor? That's a more complicated question than you might think. Unfortunately, many congregations bungle the process. - Phases of a pastor search committee's work (short bullet points) by Bill Wilson
- Phases & details of a pastor search committee's work (with detailed explanations) by Bill Wilson
- Pastor Search Questions for Staff - Possible questions for the search committee to ask existing staff
- Ten Commandments for Pastor Search Committees - Produced by The Center for Baptist Studies of Mercer University with Walter B. Shurden, Executive Director and Bruce T. Gourley, Associate Director
- Pulpit Committee Guidelines - a profile of a search committee with purpose and objectives by Les Robinson
- Introduction of Candidate - an example of document to introduce a candidate to the congregation
Online articles:
- Can we have a healthier pastor search process? by Bill Wilson
- Search Committee Ethics by Bill Wilson
- Four pastors describe a healthy search process by Bill Wilson
- Five issues that bother pastors about search committees by Bill Wilson
Watch a Skype interview with Bill Wilson about search committees: