Ministry Placement

It is the policy of the Sandy Creek Baptist Association NOT to provide names of churches seeking senior pastor positions unless the individual church asks us to post such information.  However, we work with member churches and prospective candidates in the ministry search process.  Listed below is information that may be helpful to both prospective candidates and member churches with regard to the ways SCBA can assist in the search process:

Prospective Candidate Information:  The Sandy Creek Association requires the following steps if a prospective candidate wishes SCBA to share the candidate's resume with member churches upon their request.    Certainly, candidates may apply to the individual church on their own but SCBA still recommends to our member churches that the information listed below be obtained (and most of our member churches have requested this information from prospective candidates when they have not supplied this information in recent months).

1.     Candidates may mail or e mail resumes to SCBA.  E mail is preferred.  The other items listed below may be provided in the same way with the exception of the release form (signature required).  E mail address is domscba@windstream.net and mail address is 2807 Sandy Creek Church Road, Sanford NC 27330.

2.     Candidates MUST complete the questionaire form for SCBA to submit their name to a member church.  You may obtain this form by clicking QUESTIONAIRE

 Church Helps In the Minister Search Process:  SCBA stands ready to assist our member church in the seaarch process for a new minister.  Simply contact Gordon West at 919-776-9423 (Office), or via e mail at domscba@windstream.net.  He stands ready to work with the Minister Search Committee EVERY step of the way - beginning with committee training or consultation.  Listed below are ways SCBA can assist you and documents you may downlowd to use in the search process.

1.     Search Committee Training:  Gordon will work with the search committee and offer training and assistance.  He has materials to share to assist in the search process.  Often times, churches use the interim time period to re-visit goals forf the church, etc.  Gordon has help for that process and demographic information that may assist the church as well.

2.     Pulpit Supply:  If Gordon's schedule allows, he may be able to fill the pulpit on Sundays and/or work with the member church on Wednesday nights for special needs during the interim process.  Simply call him at 919-776-9423 or e mail at domscba@windstream.net.

3.     Pulpit Supply List:  SCBA seeks to keep our pulpit supply list up-to-date.  Some of those on the list may already have places of service as interims, but this list can be used for both pulpit supply and potential interims.  For the most recent supply list, click on the following link: //scba%20supply%20-%20updated%2012-20-2011.pdf

4.     Resumes Available at SCBA:  Gordon provides resumes for churches searching for a minister when the church feels it is ready for resumes.  He attempts to "match up" the expressed needs of the church with prospective candidates that appear to meet the criteria established by the church.  Resumes he provides are not recommendations, rather they are provided to assist the church in the process.  He will provide the number of resumes requested by the church. 

5.     Forms That May Prove Helpful In The Search Process:  Listed below are several forms that are helpful in the search process.  Feel free to download and adapt to the needs of your particular member church.  For "Ten Commandments For A Pastor Search Committee," click here.

• Background Check Release Form  - Permission Form to use to do credit and background checks on candidates. SCBA strongly advises her member churches to do background checks.
• Church Survey - A sample survey for church members regarding preferences with regard to the characteristics desired in their pastor and  their view of needs within the church.   This may be revised to assist the church in both determining the needs of the church and the church expectations of a prospective minister.  Be advised, this tool should not overshadow the leading of the Holy Spirit in the search process.
• Comparison Of Baptist Faith and Message 1925, 1963, and 2000   Much is said in today's climate about the BFM yet many church members are not aware of what either BFM says.  To that end, we supply this comparison chart.
• Interim Pastor Covenant Sample   This is provided as a guide to our member churches.  Feel free to adapt to the individual needs of your church.  Pay calculator for interim pastor:   click here.
• Pastor Covenant Sample  A covenant between church and pastor often times clarifies expectations and avoids unnecessary conflicts.  This sample is provided aas a guide for our member churches.  Feel free to adapt to your churches individual needs/expectations.
• Pastor-Church Relations Committee Explanation and Pastoral Assessment Tool   Another tool that may avoid conflict and assist in the long-term effectiveness of the church's ministry is a Pastor-Church Relations Committee.  This is provided and can be adapted to meet your church needs.
• DOM Reference Form  - Form to send to current DOM/Associational Missionary with specifc questions regarding the candidate. SCBA recommends that the search committee always speak with the Director of Missions/Associational Missionary where the prospective candidate currently serves whether he is listd as a reference or not on the candidate's resume.
• Telephone Interview Sheet:  This form allows you to have a uniform sheet to use when contacting references on a candidate.  As with all our documents, feel free to adapt to your particular church needs/questions.
• Candidate Rating Form:  This particular form was designed by a church after a church survey was taken.  In review of resumes submitted, the committee always addressed the expectations spelled out by the church by using this form.  It should be noted that the church ultimately called an individual that did NOT meet all their criteria (the candidate the chose did not have the experience as a senior pastor but did have many years experience in an associate position). 
• Prospective Candidate Sample Questions:  This document is prepared to provide some basic questions for the search committee.
• Information On Compensation Package:  Some basic information for the search committee related to preparing proper compensation for a prospective pastor.
• Telephone Reference Form:  A form designed to answer necessary questions when speaking with a reference by telephone.