The Search Committee Handbook: The Step-by-Step Guide to Hiring Your Next Minister

The Search Committee Handbook was extremely beneficial to the process as a whole. It helped our search committee, most of whom did not have an administration background, to understand the process that needed to be put on the table and the need for us to follow that process. It was extremely beneficial from the beginning for both the committee and our candidates in laying out the process with timelines and deadlines, and it was a great tool to help me encourage the search committee to stay on task.I think one of the greatest benefits we saw was that every individual, whether we kept him through some late stage of the process or whether we had to reject him early in the process, left us with an attitude of gratitude. Every single one of them complemented us in some way about how different we were than every other congregation with whom they were applying. They said, “It’s right there. We see what you’re doing, we know what to expect, and we are so grateful for your communication with us both before, during, and after the process to keep us informed.” They’re not in the dark, and they loved that about it. We left everyone with a really good taste in their mouth simply because they knew what to expect.

I was trilled when I received my copy of The Search Committee Handbook this morning. Don sent me the book in PDF and I had read it a few weeks ago. I am glad it is now available to everyone. I am an interim minister with my 5th congregation. I have read 15 books on the selection of a new preacher. This is the most complete and practical that I have read. I will recommend it to congregations in the future. Don also has coaching services for churches in search of a preacher. You can learn more at his website: http://www.ministermatch.com . This book needs to be read, discussed, and digested by any selection group in a church looking for a preacher.