When forming a Pastor Nominating Committee, it is important to determine how a slate of candidates to serve will be selected. The current nominating committee of congregation may be tasked with this role. The session ruling elders may also play a role. Ultimately, the congregation will elect and commission the PNC.

Establish the criteria for nomination and the number of candidates you plan to commission. The size of a PNC depends in part on the size of the congregation and whether or not you plan to elect alternates. Decide how the chair and other roles will be determined.

Criteria to consider...

4 Ideas for Developing an Interim Roadmap

Spell out the steps from former pastor leaving to new pastor beginning using a roadmap graphic for print/handouts—see a sample roadmap below.
Develop an interactive roadmap for digital applications such as the church website and social media.

Interim Ministry, Church Leadership, Pastor NominatingShari Jackson MonsonJuly 12, 2017Interim road mapComment

8 Ideas for Churches Seeking an Pastor

Write a thoughtful job description outlining the desired leadership traits you are looking for: pastoral care, teaching gifts, conflict management and resolution skills, etc. Be prepared to articulate these traits clearly in the interview and explain why each is necessary.
Record online conversations and interviews—always ask for the candidate’s consent before doing this. When talking to many people, it's easy to forget details, take incomplete notes, or come away with differing opinions, so a recording provides a way to go back and replay the conversation later. It is also a helpful resource to share with others who did not participate in the original call.

A Conversation with Betsey Moe

How do you approach the preaching task during a season of anxiety?

Betsey: I try to be as honest as possible with myself about what I feel anxious about and what I hear others are anxious about and not be afraid to give voice to it. When I read and study a text, I think, "Where does the rubber hit the road here? If I were in a pew, what thoughts would I have going through my mind as I came to church and then as I heard this scripture passage read?"

Church Leadership, Interim MinistrySharijacksonmonsonJanuary 19, 2017anxiety, preaching, narrative, growth, church leadership, interim ministryComment

"Being the Body"— A Sermon for Anxious Times

What the people at Lord of Life are finding is that in unsettled times, when the future is largely unknown, it’s hard to figure out how to be the Body of Christ. They can all pretend that they’re going along with business as usual, but underneath the surface, there is grief and anxiety right alongside hope and anticipation.

Church Leadership, Interim MinistrySharijacksonmonsonJanuary 19, 2017anxiety, sermon, body of Christ, church leadership, interim ministryComment

14 Questions to Ask a PNC

Thoughtful Pastor Nominating Committees and Presbytery Executives will be ready and willing to answer questions along these lines.