Dear Search Committee:

Dear Friends,

   The process of seeking a Godly pastor is a wonderfully important and humbling task. The charge and challenge of choosing a new pastoral leader for the body of Christ is an awesome responsibility. As you seek God’s will in prayer and discernment, it is
our prayer that our Lord would provide you with the person He has prepared. 

      Search committees seeking to find pastoral leadership in historic churches face new challenges in a new millennium. You are not alone. If it has been a while since your church last made this decision it will be important to consider these new circumstances as your approach your search. 

Ø                        Churches in general are now far more post denominational and ecumenical in their understanding of identity
 and mission. Few if any younger members remember or care about being “Methodist” or “Lutheran” or “UCC.”  A significant
 percentage of people preparing for the ministry have a similar perspective and therefore do not align with a denomination
before they receive a call to a particular setting. Competence, commitment and vision will be more important in the future than denominational identification or loyalty.

 

Ø                        The majority of local churches in our tradition now use a diversity of resources when seeking a pastor including
 the internet, seminary placement services, traditional denominational referrals, Christian publications and referral networks
such as ours. Churches -- like American corporations, schools, and sports teams -- are more open to finding the best
person for the position from wherever they can and are becoming increasingly creative in the search

Ø                         Our denomination like many mainline denominations in the U.S. is facing a serious clergy shortage,
particularly if you are looking for a younger person with a deep commitment to Christ and a personal history of character and stability.  UCC statistics count 3700 people currently serving as pastors for our 5804 congregations with 1800 clergy reaching retirement age within the next 5 years.  Fewer than 7% of UCC clergy are under 40, and 70% of UCC clergy are age 50 and older. 

Ø                        The larger, cutting edge seminaries focused on training tomorrow’s pastors are inter-denominational seminaries
, training students from a diversity of backgrounds. These seminaries provide hundreds and in a few cases even thousands of candidates for pastoral ministry each year.  Our 7 UCC seminaries have together only been able to graduate an average of 60 or fewer ordination candidates a year over the last decade.

We of the Pastor Referral Network are here to assist you in the search process.  We believe that churches, through
 prayer and discernment, should actively participate in choosing and calling those they want to serve their church. We are sensitive
 not only to the opportunity these new possibilities present, but also their liabilities. Passion and vision are not all that is necessary
 for effective pastoral ministry. Solid training and compatibility to our traditions and style are very important. 

The PASTORAL REFERRAL NETWORK grew out of the needs of historic churches of the Evangelical, Reformed, Congregational, and Christian traditions and is therefore strategically situated to serve as a resource in your context. As a referral service, we are simply a vehicle to help you to connect with possible candidates. We are not responsible for what you discover as
 you interview.  If you find something of negative concern we would ask of course that you contact us at once.  Our goal is simply to be helpful to you in discovering as many good candidates as possible in order that you may find God’s person for your congregation.  

What do we do?

Ø                        We provide a packet of useful information to assist your committee in its consideration.  If you want the packet, please email info4clergy@pastorreferralnetwork.com

Or print text versions of the materials from the following links:

Seeking a Godly Pastor (booklet about search process)

Shopping for a Godly Pastor (characteristics of a Godly Pastor)

SPIRITUAL SELF-ASSESSMENT FORM

CHURCH REGISTRATION FORM. 

Ø                        If you choose to work with us, we will refer candidates to your committee and circulate a brief paragraph of information about your opportunity to a number of seminaries and networks with whom we have relationship.

Ø                        We will provide any references or non-confidential information we have about a candidate to assist you in your process.

We are not competing in any way with denominational resources, but rather we offer a wider range of ecumenical opportunities that would not ordinarily be available to denominational staff. There is no obligation for working with us or using our resources. We exist only for the good of the Church and are supported entirely by individuals and churches that share a vision for what God is doing through us. 

To list your church with the Pastor Referral Network, simply fill out the CHURCH REGISTRATION FORM and return it with
 a copy of the informational material you’re using to describe your congregation to prospective candidates.  We do not circulate this profile packet, but keep it for reference to help in the referral and networking process. The SPIRITUAL SELF-ASSESSMENT form provides additional information about your congregation that will be helpful in linking you with the leadership God has in mind for you.  Please return that also.  If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. 

Finally, when you find the leadership God has found for you,  be sure to let us know,  so we may praise the Lord on your
behalf and keep our information current.   Thank you for the opportunity to help in this important task.

May our Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and wisdom in this most critical task for the kingdom of God. 

In Christ’s Service and for His Glory, Pastor Referral Network

          P.O. Box 323
          Georgetown, MA 01833
          Email:info4churches@pastorreferralnetwork.com
 

 

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Pastor Referral Network P.O. Box 323 Georgetown, MA 01833