PASTORING BEGINS WITH THE SEARCH COMMITTEE
Everett L. Wilson
October 1, 1990
On a June Sunday morning, I was introduced to the Victorian stained glass, antique woodwork, and cushioned pews of First Covenant Church. But in spite of the beauty, I preached under tension. I needed a call-and fast. The autumn before, my church, while not actually giving me notice, had sent unmistakable signals that eleven years was, let's say, enough. So I'd been looking for eight months. One search committee had interviewed me and turned me down, and another congregation had missed issuing me a call by three votes. Now I was preaching at First Covenant. After the service we drove to a trustee's home for dinner with the search committee. The atmosphere was different than when candidating at previous churches. Conversation flowed easily over dinner, and then, after the dishes had disappeared into the kitchen, talk shifted to the church. No obvious seam marked the passage from mere talk to serious business, but before I realized it, the interview was in progress. I wasn't performing; I was being myself. I eventually received the call. I suspect the non-adversarial and pastoral tone established over dinner had something to do with the mutually positive impressions we had of one another. Think pastor, not applicant
A primary attitude in candidating, I decided, was to remember that getting the job is secondary to doing the job. When I candidate, I want to think like a pastor and not like a job applicant. My pastorate begins, potentially if not actually, the moment I meet the search committee, because that meeting establishes personal relationships. In that meeting I'm confronted by several strangers who seem to hold my future in their hands. So I try to reduce that feeling to size by remembering that God actually holds my future. ...
Like the preview? To read this complete article
and 18,013 more in the archive—JOIN NOW!
Easily find high-quality, well-researched materials that provide a Christian perspective on topics ranging from headlines to history.
Start using this invaluable tool TODAY for preparing your Bible studies, presentations, class lectures, sermons, meetings, and more.
|
It's easy and quick to join:
Brought to You by Christianity Today Int'l |  |
|
| 
Find similar articles
E-mail this page
