Guided Search Engagement Process
When you hire Minister Match for a Guided Search engagement, you get much more than a “recruiter.” You get the strength and experience of our team and your own dedicated Search Manager. Partner-level involvement in every search is very important to us. Don Viar, our founder and the author of The Search Committee Handbook, is personally involved in every Guided Search engagement as both an advisor and recruiter.
Before starting the five phases of The Minister Hiring Process, we will first engage in an extra “Discovery Phase.” Your Search Manager will invest the time needed to learn more about your congregation and better understand the job opportunity at hand. During this phase, we get to know your leadership team by meeting with your elders and existing ministers. We work to understand your congregation’s recent history and your vision for the future.
As you progress through each phase of The Minister Hiring Process, we work with and through your search committee Chair as a partner and resource. We serve as mentors, advisors, and support staff to help the Chair and committee execute a great search process. Throughout the search, Minister Match shoulders a huge portion of the administrative work so that the Chair and the committee can be focused on the needs of the congregation and getting to know the candidates.
Still from a practical perspective, we understand that there is a desire to understand how the "rubber meets the road" and what exactly Minister Match does to earn its fees. While no two searches are exactly the same, here are the services that we typically provide throughout each phase of the process*:
Planning
- Consultation on the selection of the committee Chair and members
- Consultation with the elders on their “Charge” to the committee
- Training for the search committee on The Minister Hiring Process
- Initial draft of the Job Description
- Initial draft of the Position Advertisement.
- Initial draft of the Congregation Survey
- Initial draft of the Candidate Questionnaire
- Creation of a secured online document storage location for the committee
Development
- Placement of the Position Advertisement on the websites and in the publications approved by the Committee
- Prospecting and recruiting calls to potential candidates
- Monthly recruiting status report to the committee
- Serving as the congregation’s Point of Contact for all potential applicants
- Pre-screening applicants based on the committee’s minimum qualifications
- Delivery of a qualified, screened Candidate Pool
Selection
- Training for the search committee on the 5 Rounds of the selection phase
- Facilitation of the Round 1 Initial Selection Meeting
- Initial draft of the Round 2 interview questions
- Coordination of the Round 2 remote interviews and facilitation of the video or audio conference calls
- Coordination of the work samples needed for the Round 3 reviews
- Facilitation of the academic, financial and criminal background checks
- Coordination of candidate visits to your congregation for Round 4 interviews
- Initial draft of the Round 4 interview questions
- Participation in candidate referencing
- Observation and participation in the Round 5 nomination meeting
- Notification to candidates as they are eliminated from the search process
Introduction
- Creation of an Elder Update Package on the eventual Nominee
- Input on the structure of the final Job Offer and Employment Agreement
On-Boarding
- Facilitation of relocation logistics
* The actual services needed by your congregation may vary so the services shown on this list are provided on an "as needed" basis.
If this sounds like something that might be a fit for your congregation, we would appreciate the chance to discuss your situation. Please click the Get Started button below to have someone from our office reach out to you.
What is a "Guided Search"?
Think of us as an “Executive Search” service for ministers within the Churches of Christ. Search firms have traditionally brought three primary services to the table: 1) a structured and well-proven process, 2) a deep understanding of the job market and 3) a breadth of knowledge about and relationships with potential candidates. Minister Match is fullfilling these three roles for the church through our Guided Search service.
In a Guided Search, we implement The Minister Hiring Process in partnership with your congregation to expedite your search and recruiting process.
Minister Match streamlines your search by teaching you The Minister Hiring Process. Every meeting, every action should have meaning and move you closer to the goal of hiring your next minister.
A Guided Search expedites your recrutiing process to build a diverse pool of qualified applicants. By sheer volume and repetition, we know how to find great candidates. Our job is not to bring you "the" candidate, but to bring you lots of qualified candidates so that you can pick the minister who best fits your congregation.
To learn more:
- The Guided Search Engagement Process
- The Benefits of a Guided Search
- Guided Search - Frequently Asked Questions
If this sounds like something that might be a fit for your congregation, we would appreciate the chance to discuss your situation. Please click the Get Started button below to have someone from our office reach out to you.
The Benefits of a Guided Search
Experience
The act of hiring a minister is very different from just about any other position in the world. It involves hiring by committee, based upon personality, beliefs and the spiritual needs of the entire congregation. We offer the experience of a team who has been there before (both as search committee members and as ministers). We have our finger on the pulse of the minister job market and can help you expedite your search and avoid potential issues.
Structured process
A lack of experience often causes search committees to struggle with process and procedural questions about the search process itself. How do you get started? When do you start evaluating candidates? How do you know when to stop recruiting and start interviewing? In answer to these types of questions, we offer the highly structured Minister Hiring Process™. Our proven process ensures that every meeting and every action moves you one step closer to finding a great minister fit for your congregation. In a Guided Search we train your committee on how to implement the process and then work in partnership with them at every step.
Deeper candidate pool
The number one challenge that most congregations face is attracting a quality pool of potential applicants. How will you identify candidates for your position?
- Post an ad and wait for the applicants? - That tends to attract responses from ministers already out of work or those straight out of school.
- Network with your peers? - That will help you reach a segment of the church-at-large (depending on how well you are networked).
- What about the rest of the vast majority of the qualified ministers who might be a good fit? The best candidates are not actively looking for a job but might apply if asked.
In a Guided Search we leverage our knowledge of the market to find those “sleeper” candidates. Through market outreach, we connect with potential candidates on your behalf and explore their interest and fit for your position.
Better hiring decisions
In a Guided Search, we facilitate the Selection Phase of the Minister Hiring Process in partnership with your search committee. That doesn't mean that we pick your next minister - we don't even want a voice in that process. Instead, we lead you through the 5 rounds of the selection process. We coordinate all candidate interviews, site visits, and referencing activities. We handle the process of keeping the candidates up to date as the committee progresses through the search process. When a candidate is eliminated from consideration, we make sure they receive a timely and thoughtful notice.
When handled correctly, the Selection Phase is a highly interactive process between the committee and the candidate where both parties get to know each other on a deeper, more personal level. It encourages interaction on theological and philosophical issues. It helps the candidates evaluate the congregation for a potential fit with their needs. Bottom line, we create an environment for better-informed hiring decisions to be made.
If this sounds like something that might be a fit for your congregation, we would appreciate the chance to discuss your situation. Please click the Get Started button below to have someone from our office reach out to you.
Frequently Asked Questions About A Guided Search
- Do we still need a Search Committee?
- What does a Guided Search cost?
- How do you decide which candidates to present to our congregation?
- What is the nature of Minister Match's relationship with the candidates?
- Will Minister Match present our minister to another congregation?
- What guarantee do we receive with a Guided Search?
Do we still need a Search Committee?
Absolutely! A Guided Search does not take the place of your own internal Search Committee - we work in partnership with them. In a Guided Search, Minister Match comes alongside of your Search Committee as a consultant, facilitator and recruiter to help you execute The Minister Hiring Process. The ultimate candidate evaluation and hiring decisions rest solely with your Search Committee, Elders, and congregation. A Guided Search just increases the odds that your decision leads to a long-term hire that will bless both the congregation and the minister for years to come.
What does a Guided Search cost?
Not to be evasive, but the cost of a Guided Search depends on a number of factors such as the position to be filled (pulpit, youth, associate, etc.), the size of the congregation (larger congregations tend to want more experienced candidates), and the location (major metro market in the south versus a rural market in the northeast). Minister Match uses a "retained search" model where we partner with congregations under a retainer to become an extension of your committee. Guided Searches are quoted on a fixed fix fee basis plus certain out of pocket costs for items such as travel. The payment schedule is milestone-driven and spread across the course of the engagement. Bottom line: We must deliver to earn our fees.
How do you decide which candidates to present to our congregation?
People sometimes think that we just run a search through our "minister database" and print out a report of potential candidates. While we definitely have internal records for potential candidates, the information in that database is just the start of the recruiting process, not the process in and of itself. We aggressively work the phones on each and every Guided Search to drum up applicants and generate interest specific to that ministry opportunity. Our job is not to "filter" your candidates but to generate as many potential candidates as possible and then to help you work through a thoughtful selection process to find the best fit for your congregation.
As we talk to potential candidates in the recruiting process, we are initially just trying to "sell" them on the idea of applying for your position. Once we receive their Application Packet, we "pre-screen" each candidate to decide if they do or do not appear to meet the minimum job qualifications established by your committee. Those that do are placed into a "Meets Qualifications" category while those that do not are placed into a "Does Not Meet Qualifications" category. Either way, we present EVERY candidate who expresses an interest in your position.
What is the nature of Minister Match's relationship with the candidates?
In a Guided Search, we work for the congregation and are your agent throughout the search process. Having said that, we do try to develop long term relationships with ministers and may have worked with some of your candidtes as prospects or actual candidates for other positions. In another aspect of our business, Minister Match (and our sister company Minister Wanted) provides resume writing and career coaching services for ministers. If we are actively engaged with one of your candidates for career coaching, we will disclose that fact to you prior to the start of the Selection Phase of the Minister Hiring Process.
Will Minister Match present our minister to another congregation?
One of our main goals at Minister Match is to help REDUCE minister turnover within the church. Guided Search clients receive a 5 year "off-limits" guarantee for all positions filled by Minister Match. We will not solicit nor present your minister to another congregation during that timeframe without your express written permission. While engaged in the Guided Search process itself, we will also refrain from presenting one of your existing ministers to another congregation. In other words, if we are helping you fill a pulpit minister position through a Guided Search, we would not present your youth minister to another Guided Search customer without your express written permission.
What guarantee do we receive with a Guided Search?
Minister Match includes a Replacement Guarantee with every Guided Search engagement. If your new minister leaves voluntarily or is terminated for cause within 12 months of their start date, Minister Match will conduct a replacement search free of charge (less out of pocket expenses). Terms and conditions may apply. See your Guided Search Agreement for complete details.
If you would like to learn more about a Guided Search engagement, we would appreciate the chance to discuss your situation. Please click the Get Started button below to have someone from our office reach out to you for a risk free conversation.
Create Your Profile
Minister profiles are multi-media resumes that can be used by congregations when they are searching for a new minister or guest speaker. Your profile can include pictures, searchable text, uploaded resumes, sample lesson plans, and audio or video presentations.
Who Should Create a Profile?
Literally, every minister in the Churches of Christ needs a profile on Minister Match -- even if you are not looking for a new job! Your profile is a great way to:
- Document your career development,
- Search for new job opportunities, or
- Find gospel meetings, lectureships, or other speaking engagements.
What If My Church Sees My Profile?
Don’t worry! You have full control over the details and visibility of your profile. You get to pick if you are publicly or privately seeking opportunities, if you want to appear in our Minister database, or if you are happy where you are, but would be willing to serve as a guest speaker.
What Does It Cost?
Minister Profiles are free of charge to all Registered users. Premium Members are able to post Featured Resumes that come to the top of employer searches as well as setup alerts for when new jobs are posted.
Click the button below to Register as a Minister and get started!
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Contact Information
Minister Match
410 South Lowe Avenue
Cookeville, TN 38501
Your congregation has just hired a minister, and it seems like they are the perfect fit. Congratulations! There is one more step to the process, though, and it is just as important as the process of finding the right minister. You might have heard people refer to how the “first hundred days” of someone’s job usually sets the tone for their entire career with that organization. The same is true with ministers. Just as your congregation is going through a major transition, so is your new minister. The first few months of a job are a stressful time, and it is the job of the elders and search committee to help your new minister through their transition.
We refer to this as the “On-Boarding Stage.” Since the “first hundred days” is so important to the rest of a minister’s career with your congregation, we believe this stage is one of the keys to reducing minister turnover in the church. In this post, we want to talk about a few of the things that a new minister needs from their congregation during this transition period. We will refer to them as the ABC’s of the On-Boarding Phase.