Where to Find Pastor Candidates

1. Your Denomination

If your church is affiliated with a denomination, start there. Most denominations have placement offices, job boards, or regional leaders who can recommend candidates. This is often the fastest path to qualified candidates who share your theological commitments.

2. Seminary Placement Offices

Contact the placement offices at seminaries that align with your theology. Many seminaries maintain lists of graduates who are seeking ministry positions. This is especially useful for finding candidates who are newer to ministry.

3. Church Job Boards

Post your opening on church job boards that reach ministry candidates. MinistryPlace lists open positions at small and rural churches. Standard listings are free; featured listings are $49 for 60 days.

4. Your Network

Ask trusted pastors in your area if they know of qualified candidates. Word of mouth from trusted sources is often the most reliable path to good candidates. A pastor who is known and respected by other pastors is a strong signal.

5. Your Own Congregation

Sometimes the right pastor is already in your congregation — a lay leader, a deacon, or a member who has been called to ministry. Do not overlook the people you already know.

What to Look For

The most important qualities in a pastor for a small church are not credentials or charisma — they are character, calling, and fit.

• Character: Is this person genuinely godly? Do they have a track record of integrity?
• Calling: Do they have a clear sense of calling to pastoral ministry? To small church ministry specifically?
• Fit: Does their theology, personality, and ministry philosophy match your congregation?
• Sustainability: Can they sustain this ministry long-term? Are they bi-vocational if needed?

Red Flags to Watch For

• A pattern of short tenures (under 2 years) at multiple churches
• Vague or evasive answers about why they left previous positions
• References who are reluctant to speak specifically about the candidate
• A vision that requires significant resources the church does not have
• Unwillingness to consider bi-vocational ministry if the church cannot afford full-time

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