Prepare for your search

Prepare for a new season

Consider your motivation for a new ministry. Process honestly with your spouse, a trusted colleague and others about pursuing a new direction. If you will be leaving an unhealthy situation, consider any personal preparation needed to be ready to lead in a healthy way. Seek the Holy Spirit’s direction. Pray on your own, with your spouse, family, and close friends. Determine with your family members their readiness to move.

P3 serves churches nationwide. Your profile will allow you to select as many areas nationwide as you have interest in serving. Naturally, the more you select, the broader your candidacy will be considered. We advise you to continue to engage with search teams until you are certain God is telling you to say no.

Reconcile conflicts and unsettled issues

Conflict isn’t the death nell to future ministry but left unsettled, it will linger below the surface for a search team to eventually uncover. Prayerfully consider what needs to be resolved and then set things right. Seek a trusted advisor for their perspective on the situation.

Search teams appreciate authenticity. Be sure to be honest in your P3 profile about conflict, how you resolved the situation and how you will be a better leader as a result. While search teams are responsible for their own due diligence, we advise that you tell your own story.

Reconcile conflicts and unsettled issues

Have you recently engaged in your social media feeds referencing church leadership or topics in church trends? Through a variety of sources, pastors have access to a wealth of knowledgeable experts, seasoned veterans and those that have “been there”. Take advantage of their writings, podcasts and videos to be aware of current thought in church leadership and relevant discussions.

You don’t have to overwhelm a search team with your expertise of facts, tends and data. Knowing what’s happening in church cultures will set the stage for you to apply your knowledge and dream with them about the future. Our experience in P3 is that churches want to have missional purpose and they are looking for a leader to take them there.