Final Search Process Steps
Once the search is narrowed to a few quality candidates, the process might include the following steps:
- Narrowed Search
- Completed DISC and StrengthFinders 2.0 Assessments
- Additional Communication (as needed)
- Reference Checks
- Face-to-Face Interviews at Off-Site Location
- Search Focuses on One Candidate
- Final Candidate Initial Visit to Church
- Final Candidate Call Weekend
- Church Affirmation and Offer
10 | Online Assessments
- Behavioral Tendencies – Confirm basic behavioral tendencies and team fit with assessments like DiSC or Meyers-Briggs.
- Strengths – Require finalists for a position to complete the Clifton StrengthsFinder assessment to discover their top 5 strengths. Each person operates in the four domains of leadership strength—executing, influencing, relationship building and strategic thinking. StrengthsFinder identifies a person’s “signature strengths” or leadership themes in these four areas.
- PLACE – Use the PLACE assessment to measure several key items. The PLACE acronym outlines 5 different assessments:
- P = Personality Discovery
- L = Learning Spiritual Gifts
- A = Abilities Awareness
- C = Connecting Passion with Ministry
- E = Experiences in Life
Online Assessments E-mail
11 | Additional Communication
- Phone Calls or E-mails
- Points of Clarification and/or Additional Questions
12 | Reference Checks
- Always contact provided references
- Address job requirements and candidate weak areas
- Seek confirmation about candidate skills
- A key goal is identifying non-resume references to call later
Reference Check Questions
13 | Face-to-Face Interviews Off-Site
- Prayer
- Personal Assessment
- Relational Assessment
- Theological Considerations
- Ministry Philosophy
- Ministry Discussion
- Family Discussion
- Candidate Questions
- Is there anything else I need to know?
15 | Final Candidate Initial Visit to Church
- Facility Tour
- Lead Pastor Meeting
- Ministry Team Meetings
- Departmental Team Dinner
- Personnel Committee Meeting
- Area Tour
- Final Impressions Meeting
16 | Final Candidate Call Weekend
- Initial Hospitality
- Welcome notes sent in prior two weeks
- Gift basket in hotel room
- Small gifts for children (if applicable)
- Member Meet and Greet and/or Member Q&A (as appropriate)
- Staff Dinner or Fellowship Event
- Real Estate Agent Connection & Tour
- Groups and/or Deacon Introduction & Testimony (as appropriate)
- Worship Service Introduction & Testimony
- Post-Service Hospitality Room Meet and Greet
Sample Schedule
17 | Church Offer
- Position Title
- Job Description
- Salary
- Retirement Benefits
- Insurance Benefits
- Professional Expense
- Vacation Allotment
- Computer Allowance