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How to Begin Your Ministry With Integrity

Orginally published on Thursday, August 16, 2007 at 6:40 AM
by Todd Rhoades

From Lifeway.com: Every week, it seems, there are stories about pastors whose ministries come to a screeching halt because they lied to their search committee. I know of one case where a man was fired because it was discovered that the signature on the letter recommending him to his church was forged. Other pastor’s résumés are more akin to fairy tales than to truth. They exaggerate the size of their church, the things “they” have accomplished or, on the other hand, omit things altogether. One pastor I know of totally omitted one of his pastorates from his résumé, and no one ever bothered to check. Sadly, stories like this are all too common...

This concerns two groups:

First to the Search Committee who is looking for a pastor.

1.  Do your homework
In many ways hiring pastors should be handled like any other job. Call their references. Ask if any of their former churches have a copy of their résumé from when they were hired. Talk to a denominational official in their area. Get the facts from more than one source. A criminal background and a credit check are absolutes.

2.  Spend some time in their home
I have been pastor of several churches and never has a search committee asked to come visit me in my home! Spending a few hours in anyone’s home will tell you things you could never otherwise learn. Observe how he treats his wife and children. A man who does not treat his own wife well will not treat the church any better. Talk to his wife without him present. You may be surprised what you learn.

3.  Ask them for the names of several former staff members
Specifically ask those who have worked for the pastor before who know about his leadership style, his work ethic, and his family life. They will be a great source of insight.

4.  Ask the tough questions
While there is a certain amount of privacy you must respect, asking tough questions will enable you to see how the candidate operates under pressure. Ask him if there is anything he has omitted from his résumé. Ask him if he has ever been unfaithful to his wife. Many times these hard questions are left out because committees assume the best. Don’t do it. The pastor with nothing to hide will not be offended and will gladly answer your toughest questions.

Just as important are these concerns about the job seeker:

(You can read these over at LifeWay.com here)

What do you think?


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  There are 2 Comments:

  • Posted by
    Thursday, August 16, 2007 at 9:48 PM

    The guy that was here before us lied all over the place on his resume.  His ordination was via the internet.  He hadn’t been to places he claimed etc.

    The church when they candidated us went back 30 years into our references.

    They apologized for it, but we told them to go right ahead and encouraged them to make sure we were the right ones.

    I only wish we had done the same thing with the church!

    On the flip side of this discussion, are the churches that lie and misrepresent.

    Many churches believe things about themselves that just aren’t true.

    I know that we were sold a bill of goods in many ways when we candidated.

    Those people are now gone, and I am confident that God brought us here.

    But I think there are probably more churches that misrepresent than pastors who do.

    At least that’s what my gut tells me.

  • Posted by
    Tuesday, August 21, 2007 at 8:23 AM

    this is good for pastors that’s been pastors in the past. but what about minister’s that’s just starting off? I’m referring to minister’s who never pastored before and is seeking to canidate for a church?

    most churches look for experience pastors and overlook those who have a desire to pastor but never pastored before.

    I look at pastorate as a marraige not a quick fling. what happened to the ministry? what happened to the times where pastors entered into marraige with the church and not just settleled until the next best thing came along?

    I’m a young preacher (30 years old) and I desire to pastor soon. my education background is good (I have my B. Th) (currently working on my double Masters one in Christian Counseling the other Master of Divinity). What are the chances a church would consider me for pastoring?

    “At the end of the day, accomplishments, head knowledge, and talents don’t make the ministry. God’s annointing on the individual is what counts.”

    some of the best preachers had rocky backgrounds…

    God’s hand must be on the preacher....

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