By Brent Lacy

The candidate weekend is the most important 48 hours of a pastor search. For the church, it is the moment they finally get to see the candidate in person. For the candidate, it is the moment they finally get to see the church in person. Both parties are evaluating each other, and both parties are performing.

Here is what to expect and how to navigate it well.

What the Church Is Evaluating

• How you preach (this will be weighted heavily, for better or worse)
• How you interact with people: warmth, attentiveness, memory for names
• How your spouse engages with the congregation (this is often unfair, but it is real)
• Whether you seem like someone they could trust and follow
• Whether you seem like someone who would stay

What You Should Be Evaluating

• The energy in the room: is there genuine warmth and life in this congregation?
• Who shows up and who does not: the people who are absent on candidate weekend are often the ones who will be difficult later
• How the leadership treats you: are they organized, respectful, and transparent?
• The facility: what does the condition of the building tell you about the congregation’s investment in their church?
• The community: drive around. Is this a place your family could build a life?

Practical Tips for the Candidate Weekend

• Prepare your sermon carefully. This is not the time for an experimental message. Preach something that represents your best work and your theological convictions clearly.
• Learn names. Make a genuine effort to remember the names of people you meet. It communicates that you see them as individuals, not as a congregation.
• Ask good questions. The questions you ask tell the committee as much about you as the answers you give. Ask about the congregation’s history, their hopes, their challenges.
• Be yourself. The version of you that gets the call needs to be the version of you that shows up on Sunday morning. Do not perform a version of yourself you cannot sustain.
• Debrief with your spouse. After the weekend, talk honestly about what you both observed and felt. Their perspective is invaluable.

After the Weekend

Send a handwritten thank-you note to the search committee chair within 48 hours. It is a small gesture that almost no candidate makes and that almost every committee remembers.

The Days Before the Weekend

Preparation matters. Here is what to do before you arrive:

• Research the community. Drive through the town on Google Street View. Look up the local school, the major employers, the demographics. Know something about where you are going before you get there.
• Research the church’s history. Look at their website, their social media, any news coverage. Know the basics of their story before you walk in the door.
• Prepare your sermon carefully. This is not the time for an experimental message. Preach something that represents your best work and your theological convictions clearly. Practice it out loud at least twice.
• Prepare your spouse. Brief them on what to expect. Discuss what you are both looking for. Agree on how you will debrief together afterward.

What to Observe During the Weekend

You are evaluating the church as much as they are evaluating you. Here is what to pay attention to:

The energy in the room. Is there genuine warmth and life in this congregation? Do people seem glad to be there? Or does the service feel like an obligation?

Who shows up and who does not. The people who are absent on candidate weekend are often the ones who will be difficult later. Ask who is missing and why.

How the leadership treats you. Are they organized, respectful, and transparent? Or are they disorganized, evasive, or pressuring you toward a quick decision?

The facility. What does the condition of the building tell you about the congregation’s investment in their church? A well-maintained facility suggests a congregation that takes ownership. A neglected one suggests the opposite.

The community. Drive around. Is this a place your family could build a life? Are there schools, medical care, and basic services? What is the economic health of the community?

The Questions You Should Ask

The questions you ask during the candidate weekend tell the committee as much about you as the answers you give. Ask about the congregation’s history, their hopes, their challenges, and their previous pastors. Ask the question every candidate should ask: “Is there anything about this church or this position that you think I should know but that I have not asked about?”

After the Weekend: The Debrief

Within 24 hours of returning home, debrief with your spouse. Ask each other:

• What did you observe that excited you?
• What did you observe that concerned you?
• Did anything feel off that you cannot quite articulate?
• Could you see yourself building a life in that community?
• Do you feel peace about moving forward, or do you feel pressure?

The difference between peace and pressure is significant. Peace says “I believe this is right even though it is uncertain.” Pressure says “I need to decide quickly before I think too carefully.” Do not confuse the two.

Send a handwritten thank-you note to the search committee chair within 48 hours. It is a small gesture that almost no candidate makes and that almost every committee remembers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main takeaway from this article?

The key principle from “What to Expect in a Small Church Candidate Weekend” is that faithfulness in small things matters. God uses ordinary people in ordinary places to accomplish extraordinary things.

How can I apply these principles in my church?

Start with one idea that resonates with your context. Share it with your leadership team, pray about it, and take one small step this week.

What if our church is too small for these ideas?

Size is not the determining factor. Faithfulness is. A small church that is intentional about ministry can have an impact far beyond its numbers.

Where can I learn more about this topic?

Explore the resources on MinistryPlace.net, consult with denominational leaders, and connect with other pastors navigating similar challenges.

What is the first step we should take?

Pray together as a leadership team. Ask God to show you the next faithful step, then take it.

Sources

1. Barna Group, “New Metrics for Measuring What Matters”
2. Lifeway Research, “5 Signs Your Church Is Ready for a Reset”
3. Church Leadership, “There Is No Such Thing as Church Revitalization”
4. Exponential, “Church Revitalization: 7 Innovative Models”

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should a pastor search take?

Most small church searches take 6-18 months. Do not rush the process. A bad fit is far more expensive than a longer search.

What if we cannot afford a full-time pastor?

Consider bi-vocational, interim, or shared pastoral arrangements. Many small churches thrive with part-time pastoral leadership.

Where can we find candidates?

MinistryPlace Jobs is designed specifically for small and rural church pastor searches. Your denomination may also have a placement service.