The PuritanBoard - View Single Post - Advice Sought: How Does One Choose a Call?

DMcFadden · #4 (**permalink**) 04-22-2008, 09:09 PM

* What are the real values and priorities of the church (not just their pr)?
* What expectations does the congregation have for where your time should be spent?
* How much of your weekly time allocation in this ministry will be outside your area of strength? (If you love preaching and hate administration but your role will be preaching seldom and administrating constantly, then that would be an energy depleting place for you).
* What is the orientation of the congregation: ideological, behavioral, or fellowship oriented?
* How do the strengths and weaknesses of your predecessor compare to your own? (i.e., are they looking to redress the weaknesses of the former pastor? If so, look out! Most of the people probably like what he did and will not appreciate someone who is too different).
* What are the non-negotiable expectations for you (e.g., preaching, staffing levels, community involvement, service clubs, leadership style expected, etc.).
* What do they believe a pastor should know, be, and do? (e.g., how much actual knowledge do they expect you to have about the financial management of the church and your ability to read a balance sheet, etc.).
* What do the people expect in pastoral counseling? (triage + refer to professionals; engage in short/long term counseling relationships, something else?).
* What is the difference in age between you and the former pastor and how long was he there? More than 20 years is a concern, particularly if he was there for a long pastorate. People tend to socialize with those in their own age group. If the last pastor was 65 and you are . . . say . . . 30, there are a lot of people who will likely add to their grief over the pastor leaving a sense of not being attended to adequately by you. They not only lost a pastor but a social friend. You may encounter resistance and opposition by those who resent being "frozen out" of the "in group."
* Is this a declining congregation of older people looking for the young guy to bring in the younger families (i.e., by himself)?
* How well discipled and mature are the leaders of the congregation?
* If the congregation is small, are their any family groups that exert control over the congregation?
* Can you see yourself staying in this congregation and raising children here?
* What support (spiritual, logistical, practical advice, conflict mediation, etc.) will you receive from your judicatory leadership? What do the other pastors in the same organziation think of the denominational people?
* What is the reputation of this congregation in the community and why?
* What are the 5 top needs of this congregation?
* What are the 5 most important values of this congregation?
* If I were a lay person seeking a church home, why would I select this one?
* What are the first impressions you have when you walk through the front door?
* How theologically compatible are the people with you?
* What are the congregational hobby horses here?
* What did the last five people who left this church (and remained in the community) give as their reasons for leaving.

Admittedly, these kinds of questions come out of my baptist pastoral experience. I'm not sure how they transfer to presbyterian polity.

The Following 6 Users Say Thank You to DMcFadden For This Useful Post:
Backwoods Presbyterian (04-23-2008), KMK (04-22-2008), nleshelman (04-22-2008), Pergamum (04-23-2008), Pilgrim (04-23-2008), Soli Deo Gloria (04-23-2008)