Biblical Community Pastoral Search Process Overview

As overseen by the Elders and the Biblical Community Pastor Search Committee (BCSC), our pastoral search process has three phases with the congregation serving in a vital role:

+ PHASE ONE: SEARCH COMMITTEE (Began December 2019)

After much prayer and discussion, the Elders chose the following members based upon several criteria—including a representative cross-section of the congregation in terms of age, gender, and race/ethnic identity: Matthew D., Matt Gibert, Rachael G., Valerie L., Tom Oostdyk, Dave R., Johanna R., Justin V., Carrie W., and Kristina W.

The BCSC’s work includes the following:

  1. generate a diverse and qualified pool of candidates by:
    1. conducting an internal evaluation of church family members;
    2. networking with like-minded churches; and
    3. implementing nationwide search tools, if initial steps do not yield a diverse and qualified candidate pool by spring 2020.
  2. review resumes and applications.
  3. conduct interviews and reference checks.
  4. provide the Elder Council with a portfolio on the top two to five candidates.

+ PHASE TWO: ELDER COUNCIL
The second phase of the search process provides an opportunity for the Elder Council (EC) to prayerfully evaluate the candidates recommended by the BCSC. In this phase, the EC will:

  • review the portfolio of each proceeding candidate,
  • conduct interviews and reference checks,
  • perform a site visit including in-person interviews and reference checks, and
  • provide the congregation with a portfolio for the top candidate.

+ PHASE THREE: CONGREGATION
After the final candidate passes through the vetting process of the BCSC (Phase One) and the Elder Council (Phase Two), he will be presented to the church membership. During this time, the congregation will:

  • prayerfully consider the portfolio provided by the Elder Council,
  • meet with the candidate over several venues during a candidate weekend, and
  • vote to affirm/not affirm this candidate.
Cherrydale members can direct questions and comments to the search committee at bcsc@cherrydale.org.
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