02-23-2026 Meeting with WOT Church Council


Focus:  Today's session focuses on understanding the church policy and history in hiring a pastor. 

From Master Plan For Church Pastor
10 Steps for a fruitful process

Step 1: Seek God’s Will through Prayer and Study

The process begins with a heartfelt commitment to seeking God’s direction. The church acknowledges that God is the ultimate authority in the calling of a pastor and that the church must remain sensitive to His will throughout the entire search process. This stage involves:

Collective Prayer: The congregation, leadership, and governing body of the church spend intentional time praying for God's guidance in the search for a new pastor. This may include prayer meetings, individual prayers, and corporate worship focused on asking for divine clarity and wisdom.

Scriptural Reflection: The church leadership and the congregation should review Scriptures on leadership, shepherding, and qualifications for pastors. Relevant texts might include 1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9, and 1 Peter 5:1-4. This will help set a biblical foundation for the qualities and qualifications the church should seek in a pastor.

Step 2:  Review Church Constitution, Bylaws, and Existing Policies

Before proceeding, the church should ensure it has a clear understanding of its governing documents. These documents will help provide a framework for how the search process should be conducted, including specific rules about the election of a pastor.

Constitution and Bylaws Review: The leadership team, including deacons or elders, should revisit the church’s constitution and bylaws, looking specifically for sections that address:

  • The selection process of a new pastor
  • Membership input, if applicable
  • Voting procedures and quorum requirements
  • Requirements for the qualifications of a pastor

Existing Policies: If the church has established policies for pastoral search, it is important to follow those guidelines in a spirit of transparency and orderliness. This may include specific steps for notifying the congregation, receiving applications, or how the church is to interact with candidates during the search.

Frequently Accessed Files
Pastor Search Master Plan
FIBC Const & ByLaws
FIBC Core Values & Statements


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