I’ve mentioned here before that there is often a lot of deception that takes place in pastoral searches. I’ve known men who weren’t entirely truthful to search committees, but since they didn’t/couldn’t talk with the Session of the church the man currently pastored, they did not see the problems they would soon experience themselves.
There are also search committees that show up to hear a man preach, secretly. They do not reveal their true motives to congregants but say they are essentially passing through or visiting relatives… something other than the truth (this is changing with the advent of sermons on-line). And there is the deception of why a pastor is suddenly video taping a service. I told most of the truth on that once. We did use it to see how we could improve our worship service. I just left out that it was also mailed to an interested search committee (I too am sinful, and need to repent at times).
My Session knows I’m looking. They’ve advised me to look since the church is struggling. They love me, and want me to find a great group of people to pastor. Since they know, my references currently include an elder and his wife, who is our Treasurer.
This month, the By Faith Online umpired debate is on a PCA resolution regarding pastoral searches that would mean that search committees receive permission to talk with a candidate.
There is some spirited debate on this issue online. I think one of the flaws of the resolution is that it assumes too much. It asssumes, perhaps, that many moves are prompted by a church initiating discussions with a candidate. I think most of the time the pastor initiates contact (only 2 churches have sought me out, and neither went very far). It assumes Sessions will act in a godly fashion if they learn their pastor is considering a move elsewhere. I’ve known men who’ve lost their positions merely by asking for prayer to sort thru this issue. Sadly, some men could face recrimination from ungodly men. And unless Presbyteries are willing to discipline those Sessions, men will feel trapped. I really liked this comment bringing a historical context in which the Presbytery -not the pastor or the Session- ultimately decided after listening (and praying).
I certainly agree, that if a search committee is serious about an applicant both he and they should agree to contact his Session. I certainly want more honesty and integrity in the process. Sadly, since we are all sinful such honesty and integrity can be used against you. Perhaps it is up to the pastor, and the appropriate committee in his Presbytery to best sort those issues out in light of his particular circumstances. That whole shrewd as doves thing.
What do you think?
I agree with you that the issue can be very complex and the PCA would be hard pressed to design a resolution of “one size fits all” circumstances.
Certainly, the key word that you used was “serious” consideration of another job, both the pastor and the search committee should contact the session.
But before that “serious” movement in the process, the pastor may need to be discreet.
I have such a great session, that I would feel the freedom to be candid with them if the Lord was calling me to make sure a move. But I was on the session of another church as a RE before becoming a TE two years ago, and I must confess – I wouldn’t have felt that same kind of trust with them.
An issue like this needs a lot of prayer and wisdom.
Tough to know precisely when discreet becomes deception.
I think it would be when we are asked about the situation, or if we travel to visit the church but say we are just on vacation.
I definitely don’t think people need to know each time we send out a resume, or a pulpit committee calls us.
It would be great if every pastor could have a great relationship with the Session. Sadly too many don’t (and the fault may go to either or both sides of the relationship). If they did have a great relationship, they could pray together about these opportunities early on to seek God’s will together and plan for any possible transitions together. The adversarial stuff dishonors our Head.
I actually saw a Session once become so desperate [they had been without a Sr Pastor for two years] they took this guy and had not done their homework at all.
I made three phone calls myself only a few weeks after he was on site. I found out things that I saw come true in our situation as well. He was not in the least pastoral, and many felt it before long, that they had a hired hand but not a pastor.
On the other side of the coin, I have seen a Session not be honest with the pastor or the people. So this definitely rubs both ways.
When I won that dunk contest though, that was the greatest feeling I ever had!!!
Cavman,
You are dead on about the sermons being listened to.
Pastors always send what they think is their best sermons anyway. And no need for a search group of men to show up at the church to listen to a sermon in these days. So a Session / Committee should go to that church’s web site [if they have one] and listen to whichever sermons they choose to listen to. This way the pastor is not selecting which one of his sermons you are going to hear, but the search committee are the ones choosing.
By the way, I found one way to find out about a guy is to talk to some of the other men in his presbytery. In one instance I found they were willing be honest with you, where those whom the pastor had served were actually fearful to tell the truth. The guys in the Presbytery gave me clear warnings, that certainly came true…. just a thought.
That’s what I tell search committees to do… check out the website. Pick any sermon you want… I put them all up, and alot of what I think is reflected on the website as well. I’ve included things like our theology of worship, for instance.
The internet also helps me, at times, figure out if I want to apply for a particular opening. YOu can find out alot about a church from their website, whether prospective member or pastor.
This would be one of the blessings of the internet (yes, there are many curses too).