How does one find a church to pastor?

[Michael The Disciple]

Originally Posted by Praxeas

You're not in a Church body?

I am not in a LOCAL CHURCH.

[RandyWayne]

Originally Posted by n david

I cringe when I hear the term "trying out" with regards to becoming a Pastor; like it's some sport or job.

When I think of a bunch of pastors applying for the job I think of some advice Timmy gave a while back: Just ask all those who are interested in being the pastor "Do you feel led by God to be here?". All but ONE should say "No".

Of course if that doesn't get quite the results it SHOULD get, check several non-related references, do a criminal background check as well as run their credit scores. I would say those three things are FAR more important than any fiery preaching he may unleash in order to "wow!" his potential congregation.

[Real Realism]

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

Check several non-related references, do a criminal background check as well as run their credit scores. I would say those three things are FAR more important than any fiery preaching he may unleash in order to "wow!" his potential congregation.

Fo' sho'.

[Originalist]

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

When I think of a bunch of pastors applying for the job I think of some advice Timmy gave a while back: Just ask all those who are interested in being the pastor "Do you feel led by God to be here?". All but ONE should say "No".

Of course if that doesn't get quite the results it SHOULD get, check several non-related references, do a criminal background check as well as run their credit scores. I would say those three things are FAR more important than any fiery preaching he may unleash in order to "wow!" his potential congregation.

So if his credit score is bad for no fault of his own, that disqualifies him for ministry?

[houston]

Originally Posted by Originalist

So if his credit score is bad for no fault of his own, that disqualifies him for ministry?

how is it no fault of his own?

[RandyWayne]

Originally Posted by Originalist

So if his credit score is bad for no fault of his own, that disqualifies him for ministry?

Obviously many things can effect which are no fault of the individual but it is a tool that can open up further inquiry as to "why" and "how" it is what it is. I believe a credit score is MOST important when dealing with someone who has held the previous position of FULL TIME pastor for an extended period of time. As I type this I can think of one specific pastor who would have never gotten his job had the congregation done a simple background check, including credit score, before offering him the position. Instead they were made to feel that any such check would have been "showing lack of faith in the will of gawd!" and relied totally on the previously mentioned "fiery sermons!" to vote on their guy, with horrible results.

[Originalist]

Originally Posted by houston

how is it no fault of his own?

Sudden loss of income due to catastrophic illness or other circumstances beyond his control.

[n david]

Originally Posted by Originalist

So if his credit score is bad for no fault of his own, that disqualifies him for ministry?

I don't agree with that either. Background checks, I can understand, but not a credit check.....at least not to disqualify them as Pastor.

[Real Realism]

Especially when in most churches the pastor is the sole manage of all accounts receivable for the church. Even pastors I know who are very open with reporting the churh income and expenses do not include the aggregate tithes in that total number (I fail to see why the church can't know the total amount in tithes that are given...keep individual giving classified, sure, but why are you afraid for the churh to know how much is coming in total?). But that said, at the very least the church has an expectation that their offerings will be used fairly and honestly to cover the overhead expenses of "having church" as well as contributing to outreach and ministries the church claims to support. If a pastor has previously mishandled his own finances, I find it terrifying to trust the man with the finances of an entire church. If a poor credit score shows up, he should be given opportunity to explain, but short of a valid and open explanation, I'd be skeptical.

[RandyWayne]

Originally Posted by n david

I don't agree with that either. Background checks, I can understand, but not a credit check.....at least not to disqualify them as Pastor.

Absolutely it should be a tooled used. Again, I am thinking of one very specific circumstance where such a check would have possibly saved a whole church of several hundred which now longer exists because of gross financial mismanagement -which previous such mismanagement was present on his credit score and available for all to see.