Matching pastors to churches

Churches are searching for pastors. Pastors are looking for churches. Making the connection can be quite challenging for many on both sides of the equation. Sure there’s a spiritual dimension to all of this– being a pastor is a “calling,” (whatever that might mean in a particular faith tradition) layered with much prayer for discernment and provision. Yet in the real-world concrete and tangible reality, there is that job component, when a church pastor is a paid religious professional. The question to answer is: where should churches post a job listing for a pastor position?

There are a bunch of search engines / directories/ listings working to make this connection, for pastors looking for a ministry opportunity, and for churches looking for a pastor to fill a staff position, along with other church staff jobs. (note: listing does not connote endorsement) ::

• ChurchStaffing.com – a leading source” run by Salem Web Network; free registration required to view listings and resumes; ~60,000 subscribers to weekly newsletter
• ChurchJobs.net – run by C.M. Press; sizeable database of Christian ministry job openings and resumes; database is mirrored to other URLs like pastorsearchcommittee.com, WorshipJobs.com
• churchjobfinder.com – run by Outreach Media Group; ~25,000 unique visitors monthly; 74% of users are currently employed
• ministryjobs.com – “the standard in searching for jobs in ministry and finding qualified candidates” – a resource provided by Froot Group LLC
• other job listings
  • churchjobsonline.com – a division of ChristianCareerCenter.com; listing pricing starts at free; ~25,000 email subscribers, ~20,000 unique visitors monthly
  • pastorsearch.net – Pastor Search Network, run by The Victorious Network since 1995; ~10,000 visitors weekly
  • ministrysearch.com – Christian ministry job positions; ~ 7000 visits per week
  • pastorjobs.net
  • jobsforpastors.com
  • pastoralresume.com

And, there are professional services that help make the connection for churches and staff. They’re able to put together a professional nationwide search for church staff positions. And, these are the consulting groups I know of that do church staff searches:

• Slingshot Group
• Vanderbloemen Search Group
• Chemistry Staffing
• MinisterSearch
• The Shepherd’s Staff
• FaithSearch Partners
• AGORA Search Group

Aside: this ehow.com article, How to Work for a MegaChurch, gives sobering advice about working in a church setting. Set your idealism aside — “If you think working for a church will be peaceful and idyllic, you’re deluding yourself. Pastors and church staff members are as inherently flawed as the rest of the world. If your desire to work for a MegaChurch stems from the belief that you’ll be in a conflict free office environment, think again.“