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:
What are your convictions on the following subjects?
Answer:
Alcohol – I don’t drink alcohol and I think it’s unwise to do so. My parent’s don’t drink and they raised me not to. It’s hard for me to see the point in drinking except to get drunk, which is a sin.
Gambling – Gambling as a business takes advantage of the poor and uneducated. I don’t think Christians should be involved with it. Christians should seek to earn their money through honest and productive work.
Pornography – The Baptist Faith and Message says it’s sinful. I agree.
Racial Prejudice – The Baptist Faith and Message says it’s sinful. I agree.
Divorce – God hates divorce. Divorce is only justifiable in the case of adultery and even then I would not recommend it. Jesus said remarriage after divorce is adultery. I think divorce is a matter of church discipline. God’s people must be Holy.
*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 