Category Archives: All

20. The search committee. I have mixed feelings about search committees. I’ve had good and bad luck with and without one. I’ve been on search committees, and I’ve been part of an eldership that hired without one. I’ve had great … Continue reading →

The Christian Chronicle has published a helpful list of addresses of churches active in the relief effort. Note: Right now, one of the least effective things you can do to help Oklahoma tornado victims is load up your car with … Continue reading →

16. Check references. It’s a pain and often complicated. If the preacher has a job, he will be reluctant for you to talk to his current elders. However, we’ve sometimes had preachers offer to let us call a particular elder … Continue reading →

10. Don’t prepare a job description so much as a person description. Job descriptions are canned, boring, and unhelpful, in my experience. You aren’t hiring someone to do a job. You’re hiring someone to be in close, long-term relationship with … Continue reading →

Until a few minutes ago, I had a huge table in the right column listing all the articles in the Gospel of John series, completed a few weeks ago. I kept it there to make it easy for teachers in … Continue reading →

6. Don’t go too fast. People grow very attached to the pulpit minister. They see him as a pastor, counselor, spiritual leader, guru, father figure, best friend … all sorts of ways. Having him leave their lives will be traumatic for … Continue reading →