questionnaire

The Questions below are those used by the Search Committee asks candidates that we are interested in. The questions are geared to get a feel for the candidate and his family, if he has a family.  The hope is that we can learn some "more than basic" information on the candidate.  

Please not that this is NOT the only criterion that will be used to make our decision as to the new pastor. This is only one component of the process.



  1. State your personal testimony of your conversion, call to the ministry, and the Lord’s leading in your life to this point.
  2. When were you baptized?
  3. What do you believe are your spiritual gifts and how have those been confirmed?
  4. How would you describe your personal prayer life? What importance do you place on it in your day to day walk? 
  5. Tell us about what you do for fun and list a few of your special interests and abilities (e.g., music, drama, literature, etc.)
  6. Who are your favorite authors and theologians?  Why? 
  7. Tell us about your marriage and family. Are you married? Have you or your wife ever been divorced? Explain.
  8. When and where were you ordained? If not, just write N/A
  9. Describe your dream job, the ideal kind of church ministry you really desire.
  10. Describe your approach to the Pastoral ministry.
  11. How do you interact with ministry staff:
  12. How do you interact with other church-office staff:
  13. How do you interact with elders:
  14. How do you interact with ministry team leaders:
  15. How do you interact with the congregation: 
  16. What is your approach to stimulating spiritual growth in young people? Please be specific:
  17. Describe the role of evangelism in your ministry.
  18. Describe the role of missions in your ministry
  19. Describe your thoughts, and the importance you place on corporate prayer
  20. What are your views on the definition of marriage?
  21. What is your position on baptism by immersion, it’s place in salvation and how you teach it.
  22. What is your position on Eternal Security?
  23. Describe your eschatological beliefs and why you believe the way you do:
  24. What are your views of politicking from the pulpit?
  25. Describe your experience working in multi-staff situations.
  26. How many hours per week do you estimate this position to entail and what do you think the average should be?
  27. From your experience in ministry, please give three positives and three negatives to working in a ministry setting.
  28. Describe the setting (rural, small town, small city, suburban, urban, etc.) of each of your full-time ministries.
  29. Have you ever been fired or asked to resign from a job or ministry? If yes describe why.

For Your Spouse

  1. Their personal testimony of conversion and the Lord’s leading in their life to this point.
  2. The names and ages of your children (if any).
  3. How do you and the rest of the family feel about your spouse being in the ministry?
  4. What, if any health problems are present in the family?




References

  1. Please list references including full address, phone number, and email address if available. They should include:
  2. No more than two pastors who know you and your work:
  3. An active deacon in the church where you now serve or in the church just prior to this one:
  4. An active elder in the church where you now serve or in the church just prior to this one:
  5. Two additional laypersons in the church (men or women):
  6. A businessman who knows you well:
  7. A long-time personal associate/friend:


What Questions Do You Have For Us?

Job Description (Not Finalized)

Job Title: Preaching/Teaching Pastor


Reports To: The Elders


Position Status: Full-Time


Whom are we seeking: 


 We are seeking for a shepherd to assist the Elders in overseeing the life and direction of our beloved church body in proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ;  a  pastor who is committed to Loving God, Loving Others, and Making Disciples. This Holy Spirit-led person will be able to craft a vision, offer pastoral leadership to the congregation, and will engage in pastoral care ministries that meet the needs of persons in the church and the community.


What we need done:



  • Our new pastor will have among his attributes: servant leadership, visionary leadership, shepherding, evangelism, faithfulness, emphasis on prayer, excellent communication, and compassion.
  • The pastor will be the primary preacher and teacher for our church, speaking and effectively communicating the truth of scripture in all circumstances. 
  • The pastor is to collaborate with the Worship Team leader and/or the Music Committee in preparing dynamic worship services. These services should be well-prepared and in a form that is most suitable for our congregation.  Most of all, they must be honoring to the Lord! Total Worship and Praise!
  • Lead the congregation in effective programs to fulfill the Great Commission with vision, purpose, and priority. He will also be able to provide administrative leadership for the total church ministry.
  • Plan, lead and demonstrate effective ways to witness and win the lost to salvation through Jesus Christ. 
  • The Pastor is to maintain contact with all supported church missionaries and missions.  He is to encourage the congregation to be involved in the lives and ministries of those missionaries and missions. The pastor will visit some of our supported missionaries and missions in person on the field. 
  • The Pastor will actively support the outreach activities in the surrounding neighborhoods.  He will oversee the assimilation of new attendees to ensure a continued loving environment in the congregation.
  • The Pastor will visit members and prospects and lead the membership in a visitation program.
  • Perform weddings and memorial services. Conduct premarital, vocational, family, bereavement, counseling sessions, etc., as needed. Advise other professional help when necessary. 
  • Along with the Elders, address all church discipline matters and the management of conflict issues in the church.
  • Build a sense of team-work among the church staff and conduct regular staff meetings to coordinate the ministries of the church and to facilitate continued communication.
  • Serve as a representative of the church in civic matters.


  

One last thing:

As every pastor has come to realize, the position requires great flexibility in time schedule.  As such, the pastor will be available for evening activities as well as work on weekends.  However as we at JBC desire a joyous servant as pastor, he will be free to take one week-day off each week.