Pastoring FAQ's

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	Schmucker, Matt



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Home > Articles > Schmucker, Matt

Pastoring FAQ's

9Marks -

What kind of questions do you ask in the membership interview?	Listen:
Give us a 60 second overview of the membership process at CHBC. What do you think is the most important consideration in taking in new members? Why do you think that? How do you ensure that it’s handled correctly? What do you want potential members to know about the church from the start? Why do you want them to know about these things so early on? Do you encourage new members to start serving in the church immediately? Why (not)? What are some pitfalls to avoid in taking in new members?
How do you handle baby dedications?	Listen:
What do you say to couples who want their babies dedicated? What are you trying to accomplish in a baby dedication? How do you clarify that the dedication is neither salvific nor a baptism?
How do you care for home-bound seniors?	Listen:
Do you view visitation of the home-bound as primarily the pastor's responsibility or primarily the congregation's responsibility? Do you do most of that kind of visitation? When you've visited home-bound members in the past, how long have the visits lasted, what kinds of things would you talk about? Do you usually take someone with you or go alone? Do you think it's useful to invite non-staff members of the church to come with you on visits to the home-bound?
How do you care for members out of the area?	Listen:
Who do you put in the catagory of members outside of the area? Are there ways that you encourage the remaining members to promote the spiritual health of those who are out of the area?
How do churches find good pastors?	Listen:
What are some important questions you think congregations should be asking pastoral candidates? Do you think it is wise for nominating comittees to ask for a hundred or so resumes before making a decision? Do you think the nominating committee is the best vehicle for choosing a pastor? Why not?
How do aspiring pastors find hopeful church situations?	Listen:
When a pastor's interested in a reforming situation where there needs to be work done, what are some important indicators that a pastor can be looking for in that church situation? What are some important question pastors should ask of the congregation? How can studying a prospective church's history aid a future pastor? What are some other ways you can become a student of the church's history?
How can prospective pastors best use the time leading up to a new pastorate?	Listen:
What kind of documents were you trying to get ready when you were first waiting to come here? What are some helpful prayers to pray for a church you might be starting to pastor? Were you trying to prepare any public teaching of the church?
How can prospective pastors think wisely about financial matters?	Listen:
What are some good questions to ask churches about their finances? Should pastors always be poor? How should a prospective pastor respond when offered a seemingly inadequate salary by a small church?
What do you think are some important disclosures that a prospective pastor ought to make to the church he is candidating with?	Listen:

What are some ways pastoral candidates can shepherd congregations even before becoming their pastor?	Listen:

How can new pastors of smaller churches best use their time?	Listen:
What do you see as the connection between preaching, praying, and developing personal relationships?
What do you think about time off for the pastor?	Listen:
How does a church make care for the pastor happen? How do you handle getting weekly rest?

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