The Search Committee Handbook

The Search Committee Handbook provides a detailed, step-by-step instruction manual on how to hire a minister. The goal is to help congregations attract great candidates and make better hiring decisions. As a result, the congregation should enjoy longer ministry tenures, greater stability and more effective ministries.

The book is divided into 5 sections that mirror the 5 phases of The Minister Hiring Process. Section 1 contains 4 chapters that focus on the Planning Phase.  We discuss the leadership needed from the elders as they cast a vision for the position and form a Search Committee.  We walk you through the startup of the Committee, how to train them and what they should be focused on at this stage of the process.

Section 2 focuses on the Development Phase. Great Candidate Pools are built through a combination of advertising, peer-to-peer networking, and outright recruiting.  We discuss how to leverage all three strategies for maximum effectiveness both with and without the assistance of a search firm. Last, we talk about how to manage applicants and set their expectations so that great candidates are not lost due to mismanagement.

In Section 3, the focus is on the 5 rounds of the Selection Phase.  With a chapter for each round of the process, we take you step-by-step through the candidate evaluation process. Over the course of 8-12 weeks, both parties really get to know each other personally, professionally and doctrinally before the committee selects its final Nominee on behalf of the congregation.

The Introduction Phase takes center stage in Section Four. It is time to develop a competitive job offer and introduce the Nominee and the congregation to each other. We show you how help your candidate evaluate your congregation and community as a fit for them and their families.

Finally, Section 5 goes one step beyond where most search committees quit and focuses on the On-Boarding Phase.  It is vitally important that you work with your new minister to ensure a smooth relocation and transition plan as they settle in to your community.  

When coupled with the free Documents and Templates available on MinisterMatch.com you get a detailed model of how find and hire the right minister for your congregation.

If you are an elder, this book provides key insights into how to setup the search process. If you are a search committee chair, you will find detailed instructions on how to best lead the process. If you are a search committee member, you can go beyond the big picture and understand the process at a deeper level.