My search was restricted because I am still under-care.

And good news…I have been selected by a search committee to be the next pastor at a local church. I haven’t made an announcement here yet cause there are still some details to work out including a congregational vote.

Keep praying for this!

My advice, unless you have family reasons to do otherwise, is to put your name out nationwide. I never intended to come to Michigan, but here I am.

I am in Search and Call via two regions – the one in which I am under care and the one in which I reside (they are neighbors). There is a mutual agreement between the regions that I will continue with the ordination process with my home region and be able to serve here. My home region has produced several possible calls which I have explored – distance is a factor however. The new region where I now live has produced none, for whatever reason.

I have also pursued several non-Disciple calls which I found via 3rd party ministry lists via the web. I am finding it odd to discover a number of DoC and UCC postings on these 3rd party websites, perhaps congregations are not using Search and Call here?

I have been in Search and Call for 7 months now. There is a promising call at a rural congregation, they anticipate making their final recommendation by the end of next week.

Thanks for asking!

Are you sending your profile directly to churches or going through the search and call process? If you are having problems being placed, are you talking with Regional Ministers?

If you are Disciple and directly contacting churches, they will (and should) want you to work through the system.

Another thing I found funny is I have been working with teens and children since high school and I am almost 27. I had a church look at my resume (loaded with internships and relevant work) and send me a rejection letter that week stating things did not match up.

I know churches need to be picky. Shoot….I am an unemployed pastor right now. But they need to realize there is NO PERFECT PASTOR. They should be looking for a solid Christian first.