Originally published in the Summer 2016 Quarterly Explorer.
As of the beginning of May, the Pastor Search Committee (PSC) has held 13 regular meetings and many additional subcommittee meetings. During this period of time we developed questions for the congregational conversations and surveys, and have taken the data that we received and compiled a report outlining the opinions that were expressed. Using that information, we have developed a pastor profile outlining the expectations that the congregation and the PSC have for our new minister as well as written a congregational profile of River Road Church. Both of these documents have been posted on the church’s website and are being used as marketing materials for the position of pastor.
Currently we are receiving resumes that come from candidates through self-referral, but more importantly are seeking and receiving names of individuals from our congregation and from many non-member friends of RRCB who are very familiar with River Road life and history.
We are now entering the difficult phase of our work: reviewing all resumes and listening to online sermons. Once we have finished reviewing these resumes, we will begin the process of selecting potential candidates for preliminary interviews.
The Pastor Search Committee asks that you keep us in your prayers as this important process proceeds.
Thank you for all the hard work the committee has done Verizon.and is doing. I have heard that the congregation will not have a chance to hear the prospective person preach before the committee makes final decision. Is that correct? I feel the membership should hear.
Margaret I can only speak as to past history for sermons by the final candidate. 12 years ago we did not have a trial sermon. the PSC will continue to consider the possibility of a trial sermon. The upside of a trial sermon is that the congregation will all hear the spoken word from the candidate. The downside is that this is only a single exposure to sermons by the candidate, whereas the PSC has listened to a number of sermons by the PSC. It would be difficult, in my opinion, to make a hiring decision based on a 20 minute statement by a candidate
Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for your dedication, faithfulness, and hard work. Yours is not an easy task; so much depends on the pastor that you choose. I have every expectation, though, that you will choose wisely and well. I continue to pray for you and our staff.