Since last summer we have been on a hunt for new pastor on our staff. His job would oversee the youth, young adults, ministry interns and family development. We have been looking for a pastor who is 35-45, married with children (teenagers prefered). Someone who doesn't need to have heavy interactions with students to be effective but who can do leadership training and work through his volunteers. He needs to be a resource and develop a system that will work without him being in the center of all activities.
Well we continue to talk with a few guys and at different levels of interview and interest. KEEP PRAYING! However i have been surprised by the lack of candidates. Today I ran into a friend and he asked how the search was going and I told him. He ask... "Why do you think its so hard to find a person?" Good question -- here is my best shot at understanding.
1. The best candidates would be youth guys who have worked with kids for 10 years. Most either want OUT of working with youth or they want to be Senior Pastors (they need to talk with me first!).
2. Too many of the potential candidates have been bitten by the "Post Modern" bug known as emergen-dilecibla. So many of the potentially greatguys have been screwed up by the McLarens, Genzs, Seays, Kimballs, Frankes of the emergent world!
3. There "seems" to be a drought of quality pastors in the age range we are looking for. Especially the 40-something crowd. Something must have happened with this generation. There are some possible 20-somethings and a number of 50-somethings, but not too many 40-somethings! Not sure why....but it is alarming!
Just keep praying and keep a watch out for us!