Whether in the corporate world or the church world, it is not an expectation to reply to every person that sends in a resume.  How unnecessary it is to send a reply to every person that applies for a job, especially when less than 5% of the 100’s or resumes received indicate a candidate that is in line with what the hiring organization wants.  A better approach is to send in your resume and assume that if nobody contacts you they are not interested.  It’s not being rude - you simply did not make the first cut.  If they have interest, they’ll contact you.  Once you are contacted, then you can expect some sort of regular communication and closure.

I entered the ministry after several years in Personnel Management for the feds. Our church endeavors to acknowlege receipt of resumes, even when unsolicited. Our hiring procedure is rather lenghty, so I try to keep applicants informed as to where they are in the “jumping through hoops” process.

Those who actually get an interview are informed that when a decision is made, they will receive notification either way. We do this even when recruiting locally for a part-time secretary.

I would agree with most of the concerns and frustrations expressed, but I do take exception to those who are critical of churches for not hiring them when God “called them to that church”.

One writer went so far as to say every church he has been called to has rejected him and he is tired of not being able to make a living because churches hire the wrong people. A church that did send him a rejection letter was sent a letter by the applicant attempting to get the pastor to see why he was called to that church.

Did it ever occur to the writer that others who applied for the position may feel the same way he does? So who did God really call? Just the fact that he believes every church he is called to has rejected him, should tell him something. He can only serve at one church, so how is it that God has called him to several of them? Why not view the rejection by the church as evidence God has not called him there?

It strikes me as very audacious to send a letter to a church (that has performed the courtesy that so many other churches lack in sending a rejection letter) informing them they are making a mistake in not hiring you, because you know God has called you there. Say what? Isn’t it remotely possible that the Spirit has led that pastor in his decision not to hire you? If God told you, why didn’t He tell the church?

Some writers also take issue with a church reposting its position after rejecting earlier candidates. I believe it’s more important to fill the position with the best candidate, no matter how long it may take. I’ve had the experience of taking a less qualified candidate simply because that was all that was available at the time and we felt desparate to hire in order to “move on”. In the end, you spend more time and effort trying to make the new employee “fit”, than if you would have just reposted the position until God sent the person of His choice.

Being a worship leader, I have never really had to look for a position in a church. What usually happens is “ You play keyboards, guitar and sing?, When can you start?” And that is the other side of the problem. Just because a church will have a hiring commitee, doesn’t mean that they know what they are doing. Those positons that they are filling were usually filled by someone that “fit” the bill.
If a church has a real organization structure, with bylaws, it is up to the spiritual leaders in the church as well as the pastors, to make the interview process comfortable, (through the hiring or the “thanks, but you do not fill our requirements.") Unfortuneately, a paid postion will have a different hiring process than a part time or volunteer that will lead into a paid postion.
Let’s face it,when the disciples were interviewed, Jesus laid it out on the line...and they still were confused.
Communication is the key to any successful church organization. If we treat others as we would like to be treated, this process would be better.
YIC- Les

No offense taken, Steven. 

Todd

I have to agree with many of the comments posteed above.  A church, or any organization, can easily be overwhelmed with resumes when seeking someone for an open position and thus cannot acknowledge every one.  However, once they interview you they should have reduced the list of responses needed enough to respond to everyone. 

I have run, what I have been told, was a close second for a few positions.  I would not have applied if I did not think that I was being called to the position, but God has the final say there, not me, so I cannot say that I was ignored when I was truly called.  I just continue my search for a church that I may serve.

As for the churches that demand that I jump through all kinds of hoops to be considered, I look at what they are asking for.  If their requests are reasonable I comply, if they are not then I just withdraw my consideration for that position.

Sadly, I must concur with all the above people who have faced the vast sea of total disregard for the Divine call upon a man and an assembly.Perhaps this is a cause for the lack of God-Breathed revival in our churches today.In the search process now,I rarely hear anything in regards to materials submitted.I am thankful that the Lord will place me in His harvestfield regardless of this failure so evident Eph.3:20

Sadly, it is a real problem. It happened to me as well a couple times now, and was dissapointing because of my expectations of what I expect from all professionals Christian and not - but, regardless of our fallen nature - do we not deserve at least a “no longer interested” or “hiring freeze” or how about “I’m too busy right now for you brother - but God bles you!”

Recently, Many months ago, I contacted by a large growing church on account of my resume posted on Churchstaffing.com, and even went through all of the lenghty interview questionaires, tests, etc.,
only to not hear anything for months, and then see the same church posting an ad for the same opening.  But this time, I did not remain silent - that person got a quick (and final) note from me.  It’s ok to let people know where they are falling short - after all, they obviously need some feedback as well - staying mute (and bottling up your frustration) is not the same as “being as wise as serpents, but harmless as Doves.”

On the next foot - when you do get hired, and you get comfortable again, remember what it feels like the next time you don’t reply to a brother or sister. Recall that, how you needed a job badly - and that you could not wait forever - and don’t get too comfortable - God has hundreds if not thousands of others standing by who will do a better job at it if given the chance.

1st John 4:20

-Daniel

I personally don’t have a problem with churches not responding to me when all I have done is send a resume.  Some churches receive hundreds to thousands of resumes for some positions, and a response to each resume is a lot to ask.  In fact, I prefer to not hear a rejection from them.  Of the several churches I have sent a resume to I have received two letters of rejection and they may made me feel worse than the ones who have decided not to contact me.  Now I do feel if contact has extended beyond a passing of the resume that some sort of notice should be given.  I understand people’s complaints; but get serious,if you have not heard from a church within 2 months of sending your resume you probably aren’t the guy.

Thanks for all you do.

Dear Todd,

Thanks for giving this wondurful opportunity for many of the readers. The sharing of views on this subject has been fruitful.  Many professionaly managed churches and chruch related organisations do send in a reply.  Some of them state in the beigining itself, that if “You do not hear from us within ....this time, consider yourself as not cosidered etc.,” But what is surprising and frustrating is that many churches and organisations do not really recoganise an honest and committed worker.  ONly those who do not have professional experience and committment are seem to be the helm of affairs. Why?

With regards
J. Bavanirajan

Tom said:

“One suggestion I would recommend for places like ChurchStaffing.com that would entice me to consider using them again would be to charge a person even as little as 25 or 50 cents to turn in a resume to a job posted on the website. The likelihood would be greater that the applicant that responds is not simply flooding the system with his/her resume. I guarantee that everyone would get a better batch of resumes and much less time spent on responding to unqualified applicants.”

Hi Tom… Todd from ChurchStaffing.com here.  You do post a good argument for the ‘other side of the coin’.  There are some people who spam the system with their resumes.  They figure the more resumes they send out the better chance of landing a job they have.  That’s not true.

I would encourage you (and others who don’t want to wade through those perfunctory resumes to consider our new “MinistryKeys” program.  This program pre-qualifies candidates for your unique position be making everyone take a pre-interview/pre-resume Bibilical disc survey.  This short survey then gives you a green/yellow/red light ranking of each individual who is interested in your particular job.  It’s a really slick system that we developed with a partner, specifically because of the number of resumes many churches receive from their listings.  So far, it has proven to be a very positive addition.  I’d encourage you to give it a try the next time you’re looking for a staff member.

And thanks for the input!

Todd

FROM THE OTHER SIDE…

In the capacity as an Elder and member of several Search Committees over the years, we will always assign a committee member to be the contact for all applicants and is charged with making contact as soon as an applicant has been passed over to become a candidate no matter what part of the process has occured.

If requested by the applicant, we return all materails immediately upon determining the applicants status.

If you have been contacted by a body about applying for a position, I would ask them up front about their communication policy and let them know your expectations. They need to be how they are expected to act and re-act in the process. Be upfront and they will be too. If there are no rules then expect there to be exceptions to your expectations.

We are currently in need of a Worship Minster but as the Worship area is being attended to by our gifted lead worshippers on staff and in the congregation, are concentrating on our open Youth minister position. As I co-lead that Worship Vision Team, I concentrate my efforts in that position and have downloaded many resumes that look like they may be our ‘fit’ but as of yet have not made contact with any seeker to ask them to become an applicant for our opening… I pray that this is not the “contact” that many of your members are speaking of.  I will be in Touch with interesting ‘seekers’ when we are able to persue God’s will in His time.

As I pray daily that God’s perfect fit for us in our worship position will be revealed to us in His time. Know too dear reader, that you have been prayed for ... may God reveal His perfect purpose for your gifts and and bless you with the ability to fulfill His desire for you and your ministry soon.

YBIC & His Servant,
FreedbyJC

We, as a body, need to be more gracious not just in how we handle potential staff, but also in how we choose to let them go. Here’s my letter of resignation/story:
The part that hurts the most is the fact that neither my brothers nor my sisters in Christ cared enough about me to tell me personally how and when I had offended them in the workplace.

Instead, each chose to allow a few misunderstanding grow out of proportion, without reconciliation, to the point that it far overshadows all the other hundreds of weekly tasks that I have done faithfully and with excellence over the past year.

On Friday, July 1st, without any previous indication, I was notified by the Personnel Team that during the annual staff reviews, the entire staff stated that they could not trust me, that I did not submit to authority and that I am not a teammate. The Personnel Team supported those accusations by recommending that I seek professional counseling, to be paid by the church. I had to show some evidence of change within the next month to the Personnel Team.

Friends. I take these accusations very seriously. My livelihood is based on trust. As the individual entrusted with all of the financial, legal, tax and insurance matters of the Church, trust is the foundation on which all else exists and survives. If my business associates do not find me worthy of their trust, then I must fulfill my fiduciary responsibility to the Church family and immediately remove myself from any paid activity associated with church administration, to remove all opportunities for further accusations and attack on my character. If anyone asks why I’m leaving, I will say that “we have differing business philosophies” and leave it at that.

I hereby testify on my own behalf, that I have not lied, cheated, stolen, gossiped, spread rumors, withheld information, attacked the character of my co-workers, used my position to manipulate others or for personal gain, deceived, falsely accused, disobeyed authority or sown seeds of discord during my time of service here at the Church.

To my own defense I have worked long hours, done dirty and hard work, serving the church family faithfully with dedication and tenacity, always seeking for truth, doing whatever was needed, whatever it took to support the vision and efforts of every Minister and ministry here at the Church. Not seeking my own needs or recognition, but in everything to serve God with pleasure.

As the Lord is my witness, here I stand.

I read the comments a gentleman entered as he is looking for the media position.  He is right. Churches in genenral can be pretty rude and most likely without meaning to. I recently sent out 32 resumes for MInister of Worship positions.  I heard from one of them a month ago stating that they were just now putting their committee together.  I sent the resumes out in May.  The ad was available in April, and they are just now forming the committee?  That in itself is not rare and neither is the fact that I have not heard one word from any of the other churches I sent resumes to.  To me it is an indication of how the staff is most likely treated at that congregation, so the non-reply may be a blessing in disguise.  The thing I want to ad to the application process, is please, do not send job requirments, hire someone, and then slowly change the requirements all together during the first 2 weeks the person is in the job. It just isn’t fair to ask someone to relocate based on what you discussed in an interview , move and find out none of the job requirements exist, but in their stead a new set , none of which you are interested in.  This would be almost my case in my present job.  And i’m stuck...and looking again. Also, if you agree to pay all moving expenses, PAY all moving expenses! What has the church come to today?
Sincerely, john Rappold