Questions and Answers
The Search Committee is providing answers to questions that we’ve been asked, and to others that we think you may want to know. If you have a question for the Committee that’s not listed here, please email it to searchcommittee@faithefc.com.
Q What spiritual and personal qualities are you looking for in the man who will be our next Senior Pastor?
A The man we are searching for:
Has a vital growing relationship with Jesus Christ and exhibits a Christ-centered life. He ministers out of his own life message.
Is self-motivated and well-ordered in his personal life.
Has a testimony that transparently represents a mature faith.
Is a humble man who is quick to acknowledge his wrongs and quick to forgive.
Has a warm, gentle and hospitable spirit for the family of Faith Church, coupled with boldness to hold members accountable when necessary.
Has compassion for the lost and a burden for his community.
Possesses these quality characteristics:
Evidence in his life of the requirements of an Elder as found in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9
Evidence of the Fruit of the Spirit as found in Galatians 5:22-23
Evidence of a Christ-like attitude as found in Philippians 2:5-9
Evidence of a walk consistent with his teaching/preaching as found in Eph. 4:1
Evidence of fulfilling the Great Commission as found in Matthew 28:19 through commitment to the Great Commandment as found in Mark 12:30-31.
Q What ministerial and professional characteristics are you looking for in the man who will be our next Senior Pastor?
A The man we are searching for:
Supports the “Statement of Faith” of Faith Church and evidences a commitment to the church's stated mission.
Has the leadership ability to recruit, train, encourage, motivate and equip others for the Lord’s work.
Is an effective communicator who can clearly articulate his relationship with Christ and teach the Word of God to the family of Faith Church.
Has a passion for teaching God’s Word.
Has the ability to work cooperatively with the Board of Elders in establishing the vision for Faith Church and to lead the body of Christ.
Has evidence of a shepherd’s heart.
Q What kind of education and experience are you looking for in the man who will be our next Senior Pastor?
A The man we are searching for:
Has at minimum a bachelor’s degree, preferably a graduate degree in Bible or seminary training.
Has 10+ years of successful ministry.
Has experience in a large church environment with a demonstrated ability to direct and minister with a multi-person staff.
Has a commitment to Biblical inerrancy.
Experience with church growth through conversions and discipleship.
Q Why can’t you tell us who you are considering for Senior Pastor?
A The Search Committee has been commissioned to serve our congregation by finding God’s man to be our next Senior Pastor. To do that well, we need to:
Regularly inform you about our plans and progress. We are committed to doing that and hope this website and the other methods we use are reaching you.
It also means protecting the jobs and ministries of men who apply for our Senior Pastor position. If their congregations or governing boards would learn they are looking for another position, their relationships and effectiveness at their churches would be severely strained.
We trust that you will understand that our need to protect the security of candidates’ current jobs has led us to commit to a high degree of confidentiality about who the candidates are and even where they minister.
Q What’s Church DNA? Why is it important to know that when we’re looking for a Senior Pastor?
A Church DNA consists of the unique elements that describe the Faith Church spiritual culture. It is part of our Church Profile that is being sent to prospective candidates to help them discern if God is calling them to be Faith Church’s Senior Pastor.
Q Why does it take such a long time to fill the Senior Pastor position? Hiring someone doesn’t take nearly this long where I work.
A The Search Committee believes that God’s purpose for us is to find the man He has already chosen to be Faith Church’s Senior Pastor.
Looking for God’s man compels us to be thorough in defining both the Senior Pastor position and Faith Church for candidates. This will help them discern God’s will in deciding to pursue our Senior Pastor position. For example, discovering Faith Church’s Spiritual DNA is a good example of the effort required to provide worthwhile information for candidates.
Looking for God’s man also means that we need to be diligent and persistent in learning about the candidates and in getting to know them. The Search Committee can more readily discern God’s leading when we faithfully and prayerfully match candidates’ qualifications to the job requirements. This happens multiple times as we read resumes, review survey responses, listen to sermons, visit churches and conduct telephone and in-person interviews.
