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.