12 Questions for a Pastor Search Committee

In this episode, Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst discuss an article from Chuck Lawless on some helpful questions for pastor search teams.

1. “What is your church’s doctrinal statement – and how much attention has your congregation given to understanding and affirming it?”


2. “What person is the most powerful member in the church? What group or committee is the most powerful?”


3. “When’s the last time your congregation did church discipline – and would you do it again?”


4. “How much freedom would I have to hire and fire staff members?”


5. “Would you please connect me with your last 2-3 pastors (assuming they’re all available) for a conversation?”


6. “What’s the financial condition of the church?”


7. “Does the church have business meetings – and if so, what things must they vote on?”


8. “Why are you interested in my becoming your pastor?”


9. “Would you hire all your current staff again?”


10. “What will be the most difficult things a new pastor will have to address in this church?”


11. “What have you not told me that you should tell me if you were completely honest?”


12. “In your opinion, is your church a church that makes hell shake?”

Resources related to this podcast:

“12 Questions I Might Ask a Pastor Search Team” by Chuck Lawless