I think that some churches might be overwhelmed and surprised at the reponse that a national job-board such as this one can generate. This, however, is still no excuse for poor follow-up communications. Even a “rubber stamped” letter that tells you that you are not in the running would be nice. I have also applied for positions where there was not even as much as an acknowledgment that conirms that an application/resume/e-mail had been received. It gets frustrating.

I agree with these comments about applying for church positions.  In general, I find that the “church”, lacks many of the common courtesy’s of the secular business world. I have applied to a few churches myself.  I come from years of business experience as a CFO, easily able to function in some executive pastor roles.  However, I do not have “church” staff history.  In general, I notice that the “church’s” problem solving skills, interview techniques, evaluation skills, organizational skills, etc. are generally below that of the business world.  I understand that ministry organizations come from different backgrounds, but it always bothers me that the “church” is second rate when compared to the secular world. We should set the standard for the world to follow.  When churches do not even follow up with job applicants, it demonstrates a common lack of courtesy. Courtesy should be the “bedrock” for the church.

Yup, it’s an area where churches can “practice what they preach” and “walk the talk.” I think churches should appreciate applicants as members of the body of Christ, and think of it as discipling.  Build up the applicants for work somewhere else, if not needed at your place, and ENCOURAGE them.

...Bernie

I just wait three months and if I do not get a reponse, I delete the information.  Of course, I really was sad when I had not gotten any response from the intereview process and then see the job posting on the web site again.  I felt like sending in another resume, but felt that would not be professional.  Of course, the church might not have understood because they did not have the professional curtosy to let me know that I was not a viable prospect.  My commercial experiences are much better and in many ways.

Of the ten churches I have applied to so far (I’m still in the search), four have turned me down.  Three of those sent a nice, short e-mail to let me know that I’m no longer being considered.  Granted, there are six other churches that could also have passed me up and I just don’t know it yet!

I actually appreciated the notes that I received.  I disagree with Fred and Bernie’s take on this as “tieing the hands of the Holy Spirit.” Any search committee worth its salt has bathed the process in prayer...and if they haven’t done that, then I’m not sure I want to work at that church anyway.

The church that didn’t contact me (and had no plans to) seemed overwhelmed at the response they’d had.  But in this day and age, there’s no excuse for not sending even an e-mail, even if it’s a form letter.  It only takes a few clicks to send that out.

The Lord called me out of the business world into the ministry, and what I have found has been a general lack of professionalism or excellence in the church.  After graduating in May with my M Div, I sent out several resumes, and I can relate to what has been said regarding little if no response from churches.  I do know that as the Lord leads me into a church, I will make sure that my staff and I will be cuteous to all via e-mail, phone or otherwise.

Blessings

Tienie

Ditto here on several of the comments. I have applied for several church-based jobs. In all that time, I have received one reply from a church that said they would contact me if they decide to further consider me. Given the length of time that has passed, I assume that I am not being considered.

I consider that a minimal response should be an acknowledgement that your application has been received. If they do not plan on contacting those whom they do not call, then that initial acknowledgement should say that.

There have been one or two positions that I thought were just what I would want and would please the Lord. It is tough when not even a reply is received.

Amen! to the writer nad a number of the previous comments. In my experiences in applying to churches, I’ve found, very much, the same experiences. That said, I also find it hard to simply blame “the churches” involved for being insensitive, unbusiness-like, etc. In most cases (at least in my experience) the initial weed-through of resumes is done by a committee of lay people from the church that have been put on this search committee for various reasons. It certainly isn’t a given that any of the members of the search committee have experience in the business world in hiring and human resources. Sure; maybe the churches have a responsibility to instruct their committees how to run the initial part of a hiring process, but, maybe, we should also understand that (at least in some cases) the committees running the process might not even know any better.

Wow! I thought I was the only one, I had no idea this was so rampant.  I called one church twice just to see if the position was still open so i could submit my resume;there was no response to my calls.  So I sent in my resume and cover letter with a DVD.  About a month later they returned the DVD without even a note!  I though it was incredibly disrepectful and ignorant.  If they were going to go through the trouble of returning a DVD, at least put in a note stating something!  And what someone else said, if the church is going to be ignorant, it is not a church I wish to work at.  I have much faith that God will lead me to the right church for me and me for them. 
Thank you, Todd, for giving us, the job seeker, a chance to blow off our steam in this area. We are all excited to start our ministry in the right place.  It is very stressful to search, and exciting when we hear back from a church.  Especially when it is one we feel would be perfect for us.  So the frustration and disappoint ( and surprize) we feel when we are treated so pitifully is great.

Many pastoral searches are conducted by lay persons without formal training. However larger churches have multiple levels of staff.

As one currenlty in transition, I can attest to what our friend has written. Churches often fail to communicate bad news--especially of someone not being hired.

However this is not “bad news” it is basic courtesy in communication and employment. It helps the searcher narrow the field.

I suppose the “worst” communication (other than a non-response) was a something my wife received one day...a rejection letter typed on the back of a postcard!

Well, having recently been an unemployed pastor for a period of seven months, I can certainly attest to the fact that there are a lot of different ways in which churches respond to a resume. I found that most churches did respond with a letter or e-mail informing me that I was not going to be considered. Most of them did so in a very kind way. There wasn’t a lot of pain in getting any of these communications for me. I was grateful, especially when the responses were prompt because it helped me focus in the next direction. I am now ministering as a staff pastor at a church and the funny thing is that my connection to this body didn’t happen because of a resume I sent. It happened because of a personal connection I made with someone from the church.

If there is anyone looking for that next position, don’t neglect the development of relationships. One of the things I learned was that asking a pastor or church board to take my resume and help me get the word out that I’m looking and asking if they know of anyone looking for a person with my skill sets is far better than delivering my resume with my hat in my hand asking for work. God works through the relationships you develop in those ways.

Keep in mind that He has a plan and a place for you. A “no” just means another closed door leading you to the next door.

Not only do they not respond back to someone who has expressed interest in their open position, but they have set the standards so high for the position that it is almost impossible for anyone to be qualified. The main thing that bothers me is that they want everyone to have an M.Div. and at least 3- 5 years experience along with it. How can we get the experience if they are not willing to place us in the position? I am beginning my M.Div. program this fall, but where am I going to get the experience if I am not allowed to work in a position? So I can get the degree, but still lack the experience, and then what? I’m right back where I was in the beginning. So what are we supposed to do?

I too have come across churches with which I have applied and didn’t even get a simple “thanks for applying” letter. It makes you feellike you’re not worth their while to even acknowledge and you probably don’t want to be there in the first place if that’s how they treat someone who is applying for a ministry position within their church. It should be common practice to at least acknowledge that you have been considered or that you’re not being considered for a positon, if I was counting on all the churches that never responded I would be counting on a lot! SO churches, do yourselves a favour and at least take the time to respond, it is a common courtesy. Even if you don’t think the candidate is suited for your church in any way, just send off a little note. It goes a long way.

Thanks so much!

“May the Lord be with you...”
1 Samuel 20:13

Andrew J. Robertson