Pastoral Search Process

Make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others." Philippians 2:2-4

A pastoral search is like our walk of faith. We take a lot of deliberate steps without seeing the end result. God leads, and by faith, we follow. Our opportunity as a church is to engage in the search process together, a process that may last 18-24 months, trusting God for the outcome. God will continue to direct our steps as we seek him and trust him.

One early step was to appoint a search team with members (men and women) from each generation of our congregation. Our search team has now begun their work seeking to find the next pastor God is calling to lead us! Your prayer participation lays the groundwork and supports our search; Scripture guides us, and God gives us wisdom to do our part.

One thing we know as we begin the search is that we are committed to closely following God's leading and to remain on His timetable. Please continue to pray for our search team and for our church during this time of transition.

Rick Alvord
Church Chairman
First Evangelical Free Church of Fullerton

Who will be involved in the pastoral search?

Here is how each of us will participate in the search for our next pastor.

Elder Board. The elders are responsible for guiding the pastoral search. They appointed the search committee, they will evaluate pastors whom the committee recommends for interviews, and they will present a pastoral candidate to the church.

Search Committee. The search committee is responsible to identify and recommend several highly qualified pastors to interview with the elders as potential pastoral candidates.

Congregation. The congregation's role is to join the elders and search committee in fasting and praying during the search process, to provide names of pastors for consideration, and ultimately to vote on whether to call the one presented as a candidate by the elders.

Staff. Just as our staff and other leaders provided input and guidance during the search committee selection, so will they be integrally involved with the elders in evaluating potential candidates.

What steps will the pastoral search process follow?

These are the steps we will take to find our next pastor.

Prepare to search:

• The search committee will seek a spirit of unity by grounding their work in prayer and the Word of God.
  
• The search committee will seek input from our congregation, staff, church leaders and friends of the Fullerton church who have the expertise to help us.
  
• A team will survey the congregation to get a clearer picture of who we are (demographics).
  
• Our elders and search committee will learn from pastors of other large churches how to wisely pursue a pastoral search.
  
• The search committee will develop a framework for evaluating potential candidates.

Search Committee Process:

• Collect and prioritize names of potential pastors.
  
• Listen to podcasts and other media of pastors teaching.
  
• Visit churches to hear and see pastors leading
  and teaching.
  
• Gather information about potential pastors to interview.
  
• Identify several pastors who stand out and recommend them to the elders for extended interviews.
  
• The elders will identify the most qualified pastor and invite him to candidate with the church.

Present the candidate

• We will invite the pastor to candidate, meet the church and preach at Sunday services.
  
• We will then present the candidate for a congregational vote.
  
• If the congregation votes yes, we will extend an official call to the candidate.

Here's how you can be involved in the search for our next pastor.

Search the Scriptures. Join the Search Committee in studying 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus. Paul spells out the biblical qualifications of a pastor.

Pray. To keep updated on how to pray for the search process, visit the church's website (evfreefullerton.com) and click on Pastor Search.

Provide names. To recommend a pastor for consideration, email his name and appropriate information to: search@evfreeefullerton.com

Questions?

Please email yours to .