Ok, so you’re in the first or second interview for your dream ministry position.   They grill you pretty good for about an hour and then say something like, “Do you have any questions for us?” to which you reply… 

In The Interview

We have all heard things like “don’t go into an interview unprepared.” However, many people interviewing for ministry positions do just that.  It is important to remember that you are interviewing the church as much as they are interviewing you.  In his bestselling  book What Color Is Your Parachute 2009-A Practical Manual For Job Hunters and Career-Changers, Richard Nelson Bolles states that “An interview resembles dating, more than it does buying a used car (you).  An interview is two people trying to decide if they want to ‘go steady.’”  Truer words have never been spoken of a potential ministry candidate and a search committee in a local church.  The conversation should never be one-sided.  We have all heard statistics on the burnout rate of ministers.  Everyone knows that average youth and worship leaders only stick with a church for 18 months.  Other than sheer burnout and skimpy salary packages, what could be the cause of such a statistic that holds true year after year?  I propose that many people burnout, get fed up, find that they are not a good fit for a particular church, and ultimately resign because the right questions were not asked in the interview process.   How can you really tell if you are a great fit for a congregation if the questions only go one way? 

How can you really tell if you are a great fit for a congregation if the questions only go one way? 

Over the years, Audrey and I have come up with a list of questions that we try and ask during interviews.  Sometimes the questions are answered before we ask them, sometimes not.  I have actually gone to an interview with a printed list of these questions, complete with room for me to write answers.  Here are the top 15 on my list: 

1. What is your church’s vision for ministry and for this position?
2. Is the church run more by the pastor, congregation, deacons/elders?
3. What things were done well by the previous person in this position and what would you like to see continued?
4. What was not done well by the previous person in this position and what should be avoided?
5. Can I have a copy of the church’s budget and the budget for my ministry area complete with line items?  No church should have a problem letting you see this.  You should have a right to know where their money goes if you are thinking about joining the ministry team.  Did they meet budget last year or are they in the red?  Are staff members paid in an equitable manner?  Many churches will pay a senior pastor close to six figures but offer the youth and childrens ministers less than $40,000 for a total compensation package.  It is not all about money, but there is a practical side to things.  It’s not a sin to pay the bills or be debt free.   
6. What are your expectations regarding the job descripton, my direct supervisor, time at the office, etc.?
7. Is your church incorporated? (This question helps you know how the church stands legally, which could have huge ramifications on you in the event of a lawsuit.  If a non-incorporated church gets sued, every staff member and officer of the church can legally EACH be held accountable for the full amount of a judgement/settlment.  In 2010, it just makes sense for a church to incorporate as a 501C3 non-profit organization.) 
   

   What do I ask them?

8. How does my direct supervisor manage people?  One time, we forgot to ask this question in a straight-forward manner and it came back to haunt us.  It is ALWAYS good to get a feel for how a supervisor may treat you.  Listen to your gut on this one as well.
9. What are the demographics of your congregation?
10. Where does the church send its mission dollars?  This question can clue you in on whether the church values social justice or evangelism more.  You can learn a lot about a church by knowing where their money goes.
11. What does the church think about women in ministry?  Since I’m married to a woman who feels called to vocational ministry, it’s important for me to know that any church I work at affirms the call God has placed on Audrey’s life. 
12. What are your expectations of my spouse if I work here?  This may seem like a stupid question.  They are interviewing you and not your husband or wife…right?  WRONG, in many cases.  Some churches are looking for a “two for one” deal where the spouse will do just as much as the person on staff.  This expectation is unfair and unreasonable.   I literally had a church ask me one time “If we hire you, what will Audrey do for our ministry?”  The problem- at the time Audrey and I weren’t even engaged to be married.  I told the church that they would have to ask Audrey about that and gently reminded them that they were interveiwing me, not me and my girlfriend.
13. How many professions of faith were made last year?  Some churches claim to be about reaching the lost, but have not led anyone to Christ.  Let’s face it, numbers here should speak volumes. 
14. What are the biggest challenges in the life of the congregation right now?
15. How does the staff function as a team?

These questions of course are just suggestions from my own personal experience.  I do know that I am glad I have asked them and that they have kept me from taking a position or two.  Believe me, it is ALWAYS better to ask the tough questions up front, and not learn six months into a ministry job that you’re working at the church from…well you get it.  I want to hear the questions you would add to this list!  In your experience what works and what doesn’t in interviews?  Let’s be a resource to each other!