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A church needs to select a pastor. Where does that process begin?

Our minds may jump to specific things done in a set order. First we do this, then we do that and finally we vote—or something like that. Yes, there are things to do and they should be done in some order but searching for a pastor/staff member is not a strictly segmented and carefully sequential process. It is more like a simultaneous blurring of a variety of strategic activities, all aimed to accomplish one primary purpose. The end result should be a clear focus identifying that individual whom the church will call as their next pastor.

The first step needs to be the first step and it needs to be a simultaneous step alongside of all the others. It is prayer.

I appreciated the comment of a friend who read the first posting about the search process. He said that the church he attends is looking for a pastor. The members of the search committee would soon be announced. He then said that, “Each deacon had cottage prayer meetings in various homes for the last month praying about the pastoral call committee selection process and to ask God to make us ready for our next pastor. “

In other words, they started with prayer.

There is no set structure for this but it needs to be evident in every aspect of the process. It is not just an opening of a meeting with a quick “word of prayer” as we sometimes say. Nor is it just a reminder that people ought to be praying. Both of those are fine but not if that is all. The praying must be earnest, sincere, with clean hands before the holy God and done without ceasing.

The choosing of a pastor is a spiritual journey, a path that should be worn not just by our feet treading the way, but on a path worn by our knees.

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