Questions To Ask a Pastor or Deacon Candidate: Part 4

Series began here.

Sample Questions for Interview with Elder/Deacon Candidate
by Lance Quinn

The following are a sampling of what might be asked in an interview for prospective Elders. The sampling of questions could also be modified for use in a Deacon interview. These questions are not intended to be exhaustive; they are however intended to be representative of the kinds of questions churches often don’t ask before affirming men to serve in positions of leadership in the local church. You are encouraged to reproduce this sampling of questions for your church leadership interviews.

Please note: When asking these or other questions of an Elder/Deacon Candidate, I am by no means assuming that we are asking these men for perfection! We are however, seeking a direction in their life toward holiness of character which speaks of what God is doing in them and with them as they aspire to serve the body of Christ.

16. Are all music styles appropriate for public worship? What styles would be inherently inappropriate? Does the approach to musical styles in non-worship services have to match the worship/music style of corporate worship? Why or why not?

17. What is the most effective form of evangelism? Are you presently involved in personal witnessing? Have you ever had the privilege of seeing someone pray to receive Christ through you? How should evangelism take place in the church? Is evangelism synonymous with missions? Why or why not?

18. Describe your personal approach to prayer. Do you pray regularly? What has been the latest answer you have personally seen in prayer? If you are married, do you pray regularly with your wife? Where, in your opinion, does prayer rank in the various spiritual disciplines?

19. Without giving specifics, how would you rate yourself in giving? Give a quick Biblical perspective on giving. What does the Bible teach regarding the concept of tithing?

20. What questions do you have of the present Elders? What can they do to best facilitate your potential coming to serve on the board? What practical steps would be helpful to you as you begin your ministry?

See all posts in this series.
View all 20 questions in printable format here.

Questions To Ask a Pastor or Deacon Candidate: Part 3

Part Two here.

Sample Questions for Interview with Elder/Deacon Candidate
by Lance Quinn

The following are a sampling of what might be asked in an interview for prospective Elders. The sampling of questions could also be modified for use in a Deacon interview. These questions are not intended to be exhaustive; they are however intended to be representative of the kinds of questions churches often don’t ask before affirming men to serve in positions of leadership in the local church. You are encouraged to reproduce this sampling of questions for your church leadership interviews.

Please note: When asking these or other questions of an Elder/Deacon Candidate, I am by no means assuming that we are asking these men for perfection! We are however, seeking a direction in their life toward holiness of character which speaks of what God is doing in them and with them as they aspire to serve the body of Christ.

11. How do you generally respond when confronted? Challenged? Questioned? Wrongly accused? Slandered? Rightly rebuked? Encouraged? Misunderstood? Mistreated?

12. What would be your counsel for young man or woman who struggles with sexual sin? Do you struggle with sexual temptation? Are you gaining victory or losing the battle? Is there anything in this particular area for which you could be disqualified from serving as an Elder?

13. How well do you work in a team-oriented ministry? Do others think of you as a “team player” or as a burden to deal with in difficult situations?

14. What is your overall philosophy of ministry and why? What are the non-negotiables in that philosophy, and in what areas would you respond with openness and charity if there were disagreements?

15. What is expository preaching and is it essential for the growth of the church? Is topical and/or textual preaching valid, and, if so, in what context?

See all posts in this series.

Questions To Ask a Pastor or Deacon Candidate: Part 2

Continued from yesterday.

Sample Questions for Interview with Elder/Deacon Candidate
by Lance Quinn

The following questions are a sampling of what might be asked in an interview for prospective Elders. The sampling of questions could also be modified for use in a Deacon interview. These questions are not intended to be exhaustive; they are however intended to be representative of the kinds of questions churches often don’t ask before affirming men to serve in positions of leadership in the local church. You are encouraged to reproduce this sampling of questions for your church leadership interviews.

Please note: When asking these or other questions of an Elder/Deacon Candidate, I am by no means assuming that we are asking these men for perfection! We are however, seeking a direction in their life toward holiness of character which speaks of what God is doing in them and with them as they aspire to serve the body of Christ.

6. Tell us of your past and present relationship to your wife. Are you a one-woman man? What is your relationship to your children? Could we ask your children (if they are able) about their relationship to you? What about your relationships to your co-workers? What about your acquaintances?

7. Who might we contact in order to answer the qualification that an Elder “Have a good reputation with those outside the church?”

8. What brings you the greatest joy in ministering to others? What brings you the greatest disappointment?

9. What, in your opinion, defines shepherding within the eldership and how will you go about this task? Do you desire to meet regularly with others in the hope that they will be helped in their spiritual walk? Why is an Elder (paid or unpaid) held to a higher standard in this matter of shepherding?

10. What are your favorite doctrinal/theological topics and why? Do you hold to the absolute authority of Scripture? Describe the role of an Elder when it relates to defending the Christian faith. Why is an Elder called upon the “Refute those who contradict?” What format for the communication of the truths of the Word of God would you be most comfortable with? One on one? Small group? Bible Study? Men’s Study? Sunday School setting? Pulpit?

Questions 11 - 15 tomorrow.

Questions To Ask a Pastor or Deacon Candidate: Part 1

Over the following few days I will present a series of sample questions that a search committee or board of elders might consider asking of any pastor/elder or deacon candidate. These questions were written by my pastor, Lance Quinn, of The Bible Church of Little Rock.

I'll start with the first five questions (there are 20 total) and Lance's explanation of why he made this list. I'm posting them as a series, because I think we would all do well to think about each of these (or a few at a time) to see how we measure up. Also, even if you don't think these apply to you directly - perhaps you have no aspirations for church leadership - they are still good qualities to have for anyone who claims the name of Christ.

Sample Questions for Interview with Elder/Deacon Candidate

The following questions are a sampling of what might be asked in an interview for prospective Elders. The sampling of questions could also be modified for use in a Deacon interview. These questions are not intended to be exhaustive; they are however intended to be representative of the kinds of questions churches often don’t ask before affirming men to serve in positions of leadership in the local church. You are encouraged to reproduce this sampling of questions for your church leadership interviews.

Please note: When asking these or other questions of an Elder/Deacon Candidate, I am by no means assuming that we are asking these men for perfection! We are however, seeking a direction in their life toward holiness of character which speaks of what God is doing in them and with them as they aspire to serve the body of Christ.

1. Give us the testimony of your conversion to Christ. Give us a clear gospel presentation.

2. What specific changes in your life have you seen since your conversion to Christ? Define for us the doctrine of sanctification.

3. How do you approach the shepherding of your own family? Give us an idea of your family worship. How would you rate yourself in this area? Productive and Consistent? Helpful? Struggling? Non-existent? How do you go about shepherding your family spiritually?

4. Give us a ministry profile of your involvement in the lives of people and churches, both past and present. You do not need to be exhaustive, but please provide some level of detail about your ministry experience.

5. Among the qualifications listed in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1, which are most consistently true of you and which are true of you but to a lesser degree? What is your plan to work on strengthening these lesser areas?

To be continued...