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- What are Your Strengths?
Senior pastors are responsible for the spiritual and administrative leadership of a church. They preach, teach, and shepherd the congregation. They also develop and oversee the church’s programs and ministries.
If you’re interviewing for a senior pastor position, you can expect questions about your theology, preaching style, and experience leading a church. You’ll also need to be prepared to discuss your vision for the church and how you plan to achieve it.
In this guide, you’ll find sample questions and answers that will help you prepare for your interview.
Critical Questions to Ask During a Pastoral Candidate Interview
Why Do Pastors Leave Their Jobs?
Before we dive into the interview questions, let’s revisit the issue of pastor turnover. Although it’s a sweet to picture one pastor leading a church for their entire ministry career, this is an increasingly unrealistic expectation.
Some churches intentionally change pastors on a regular rotation. Others are forced to demote or fire a pastor because of poor performance or moral failure.
In other cases, the pastor decides to quit. We’re probably all aware that burnout and mental health concerns are increasingly common and destructive for pastors.
According to the Lifeway study mentioned earlier, five of the top reasons why pastors leave their positions are:
(Respondents could select “all of the above”)
High turnover is not ideal in any situation, so the issues above should be a focus in interview questions, examples being:
Now that we’ve gone over some of the key areas to focus on during the interview process, let’s dive into a list of questions you can use to screen candidates.
Although this list was compiled with senior pastors in mind, you could also use these questions for screening youth pastors, departmental pastors, executive pastors, etc.
Remember, the goal is not to trick anyone or trip them up with “gotcha” questions. Instead, you want to get a sense of how the pastor thinks and responds to various scenarios. With that in mind, here are 30 pastor interview questions to help you find the perfect candidate:
When looking to hire a new pastor, your church should have clear and consistent application and interview steps to ensure your process is fair. This may include:
After each step of the process, take time as a hiring team to debrief and discuss your top candidates. This will help you move closer to your goal of finding the perfect pastor for your church.
The search for a new pastor can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. By taking the time to ask the right questions and involving key members of your church, you can find the perfect candidate for your congregation. Having a variety of perspectives in the interview process will help you get a more well-rounded view of each candidate.
Red Flags to Look for in Responses to Pastor Interview Questions
Do you know what red flags to look for in the interview process? Although there are general ideas about this, you should also make it personal. Consider what issues have been a source of conflict for your church and staff in the past so you can avoid them in future hires.
Finally, be sure to ask follow-up questions if anything raises red flags during the interview. It’s always better to take extra time and do your due diligence than end up with a poor fit.
While there are a few potential red flags to watch out for, the interview process is ultimately an opportunity to get to know the candidates and see if they’re a good fit for your church. By asking the right questions, you can get a sense of their character, values, and abilities. With a little effort, you can find the perfect pastor for your congregation.
What questions do you think are important to ask when interviewing a pastor candidate? Let us know in the comments below!
Example: “I’ve always admired the way First Church has been able to grow its congregation without losing sight of its mission. The pastor there is very charismatic and passionate, which I think is an important quality for any leader. He also emphasizes community outreach and volunteerism, which are two things I’m passionate about as well. I think my skills could really benefit this church if I were given the opportunity.”
Example: “I’ve been studying the Bible since I was a child, so I have quite a bit of knowledge on many different topics. For example, I know that God created humans in his and gave us free will. He also gave us commandments to follow, such as ‘Thou shalt not kill’ and ‘Honor thy father and mother.’ When we disobey these commandments, we sin and need to repent. If we continue to sin, we are no longer worthy of heaven.”
The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience leading educational programs. This can help them understand how you might lead a congregation’s Sunday school or other educational opportunities for members of the church. In your answer, try to explain any past experiences with teaching and include what skills you used in those situations.
Example: “I believe it’s important to make a personal connection with potential new members as soon as they start attending services. I always try to be available for questions or concerns during this time, so I encourage new members to reach out to me if they have any questions about our church. This helps them feel more comfortable in their new surroundings and gives me an opportunity to learn more about what they’re looking for in a church.”
Example: “When I was working as an associate pastor at my previous church, one of our most active members had a serious accident that left him paralyzed from the waist down. He was devastated by the news, but he came to me for advice on how to handle his new reality. We met several times over the next few weeks where we talked about his feelings and discussed ways he could stay positive during his recovery. Eventually, he found strength within himself and started volunteering at a local hospital.”
Hiring and Firing Tips for Executive Pastors
FAQ
How do I prepare for a pastoral interview?
…
6 Crucial Tips to Nail a Pastoral Candidate Interview
- Do Your Homework. …
- Always Alert Your References. …
- On-Time Is Early. …
- Bring Your Own Questions. …
- Prepare Yourself for the Salary Discussion.
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