Pastoral Search Journey - by John Vonhof (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Most churches have sought out a new pastor many times, yet search committees often feel as though they are inventing the process from scratch. In The Pastoral Search Journey, John Vonhof provides detailed guidance for search committees to ensure a good match between pastor and congregation. This is Vonhof's third book about the pastoral search -- but the first to discuss interim pastors, transitions between pastors, and the use of the Internet and digital media. Vonhof advises congregational leaders on establishing the search committee; ensuring the congregation is cared for during the pastoral vacancy; conducting the congregational self-study and creating an information packet; finding, communicating with, and interviewing candidates; determining selection criteria as well as evaluating and recommending candidates; managing call negotiations; and finally welcoming the congregation s new pastor. Sample letters, forms, and other tools are provided.

Review Quotes

"No pastoral search committee should leave home without this book! It's contemporary, comprehensive, and full of practical tools. It details the process from creating a committee to welcoming a newly called pastor into the congregation, with clear diagrams illustrating every point. Eight appendices offer models of surveys, questionnaires, letters, and forms the committee will find indispensable." --Joe H. Leonard Jr., Co-chair, Pastoral Search Committee, Central Baptist Church, Wayne, PA

"This book attends to the emotional and relational needs of both congregation and pastor in a time of transition while providing a rich supply of practical resources, adaptable for almost any denominational system. Each chapter provides replicable step-by-step guidelines for any person, committee or congregation involved in the pastoral search process." --Judith Schwanz, emeritus professor of pastoral care and counseling, Nazarene Theological Seminary

"For the last ten years I have been helping churches and pastors find each other. The Pastoral Search Journey: A Guide to Finding Your Next Pastor is one of the most inclusive books on this topic. It contains a wealth of information that every search committee needs to know as they fulfill the search, it is written in a plain and precise language that any reader would be able to understand, and it is full of resources, surveys, and examples of how to discover who your next pastor should be." --David I. Shrout, Executive Coordinator, The Association of the Churches of God in Oregon and Southwest Washington

About the Author

John Vonhof has more than 25 years experience serving in church leadership roles as a deacon; elder; board secretary; as secretary of a pastoral search team; on youth, ministry, and missions boards; numerous task forces and committees; and as a Sunday school teacher and small group leader. This book is written from his experience on a pastoral search team, talking with pastors and members of search teams, and researching resources about the pastoral search process.