When the Word Leads Your Pastoral Search by Chris Brauns should be required reading for churches who are seeking a new pastor. This work stands in sharp distinction to much of the material in print that focuses on the pastoral search process.
This book is distinct in three respects. First, as the title indicates, the Word of God is the basis for finding a new pastor. Indeed, this immediately catapults the book to the top of the list.
Second, Braun’s work is distinct because it is militant and non-pragmatic. Instead of driving a pastoral search with the typical categories that demand a pastor to possess an outgoing personality, specific education and expected abilities, this book encourages churches to find a man of God who will preach and teach the Word of God without compromise.
This leads to the third distinctive mark of Braun’s book, namely – the call to find a strong preacher of God’s Word. Paul sets forth the critical imperative, “Preach the word, be ready in season and out of season, reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching” (2 Tim. 4:2, ESV).
The author includes helpful questions to ask during an interview and helpful suggestions for setting the tone to make a pastoral candidate feel welcome.
Strongly recommended.
Good Morning Pastor Dave! Just had to comment on this one – our search committee all read it, and still use it as a reference from time to time. It touches on several things that we might not have thought of on our own (although we are a pretty snappy group, and we might have!). There is so much involved in seeking a new senior pastor, and this book helped us in many ways.
So good to hear from you Bertha. Trusting that God will continue to guide your group according to the riches of his grace!