When their pastoral offices becomes vacant, many Baptist churches form what is know as a “pulpit is committee”. A pulpit committee typically consists of several church members whom the body has tasked with seeking, interviewing, and recommending pastoral candidates. Have you ever wondered what kinds of questions these churches ask pastoral candidates? How do you think potential pastors should answer these questions? In this on-going series, I will provide actual inquiries from a questionnaire sent to me by the pulpit committee of a Southern Baptist Church, along with my answers. Each part of this series will examine a different question and answer from the church’s questionnaire. Feel free to interact in the comment section with your own opinions of how the questions should have been asked and answered.
(Note: The identity and location of the church has been replaced with generic terms).
Question:
How would identify your skills, knowledge, and gifts?
Answer:
Administrative – I am a professional businessman, with two business degrees. I have worked and managed initiatives throughout my career and am capable in the area of administration.
Evangelism – I can not only evangelize the lost with the biblical gospel but am able to anticipate and respond to their objections to the gospel. I am educated not only in Christianity but in the beliefs of false religions. This makes me better able to compare and contrasts their beliefs with the Bible and the genuine gospel therein. Despite knowledge and education, I am aware of the fact that I can only preach the gospel and that it is up to the Holy Spirit to allow people to respond. Many church members never or rarely evangelize. Knowledge is good but evangelism eventually comes down to the “want to” that comes from obeying Christ.
Teaching – God has gifted me as a teacher. I have taught both Sunday School and college courses on accounting.
Leadership – Church leadership starts with submitting to the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ. Being submitted to his will and being responsive to the leading of the Holy Spirit makes a good Christian leader. Worldly leadership characteristics can be taught and applied in church for cosmetic results but ultimately God isn’t in the leadership unless the leader is submitted to the Lord’s will. The pastor is an under-shepherd of Jesus and the gravity of that role must be understood in all seriousness.
Equipping – I understand that it is the pastor’s job to equip the saints for every good work, not do every good work for them. People must be biblically discipled so that they understand their kingdom responsibilities.
*Please note that the preceding is my personal opinion. It is not necessarily the opinion of any entity by which I am employed, any church at which I am a member, any church which I attend, or the educational institution at which I am enrolled. Any copyrighted material displayed or referenced is done under the doctrine of fair use
Seth Dunn 