Prepare, then Search and Find
Your Lead Pastor resigns, so what do you do next?
There are far too many churches that just jump immediately into forming a Pastor Search Team and get started with the hope of finding the right person in a few weeks. This is both unrealistic and unwise.
As an experienced and trained intentional interim pastor, I coach and equip churches in pastoral transition to adequately prepare before launching into a search process.
And, here's what I believe is needed as the first step in finding and calling your new Lead Pastor. It's step one in a seven-stage pastoral search process – the Prepare Stage.
Prepare Stage
- Develop and begin a strategic prayer emphasis for the season of transition between pastors.
- Experience grief over the "loss" of the former pastor and begin to find healing and hope.
- Conduct an exit interview with the former pastor if possible.
- Celebrate the ministry of the former pastor.
- Discuss the transition need with district or denominational leadership.
- Evaluate the health of the church and share the results with the congregations.
- Evaluate and revise if needed the Mission, Vision and Values of the church.
- Review the church Constitution and By-laws and make needed changes.
- Conduct and review a Journey Wall and share the results with the leadership and congregation.
- Prepare a flexible new pastor job description.
- Approve a pastor search budget.
- Decide on the need for an Interim Pastor and call one if needed.
You may see the goals in the seven-stage process on the Coach and Equip Ministries website.
Contact Coach and Equip Ministries for information about getting coaching help with finding a new Lead Pastor for your church.