PASTORAL MINISTRY-CANDIDATING
1.
There
are many who profess to know Christ who are mistaken.
What evidences do you have that you have been given life by God?
2.
What
does it mean for a person to love God? In what ways do you see true biblical
love toward God demonstrated in your life? Do you see true biblical love toward
God in the lives of your wife and each of your children?
3.
How
does your wife feel about your commitment to pastoring?
4.
Why
do you believe God wants you in the pastorate?
5.
Closely
examine each of the Bible’s qualifications for pastors and deacons (1
Tim. 3; Titus 1:5-9; Acts 6:1-6; 1 Pet. 5:1-4). Which are you strongest
qualities? With which requirements do you have the most trouble? Why do you
believe these areas of difficulty do not presently disqualify you from
ministering? (Note the phrase “must be” in 1 Tim. 3:2.)
6.
A
pastor is charged by God to preach to the church and to shepherd the people in
a more individual way. Which aspect of the ministry appeals to you the most?
What are some specific ways you could be helped to develop your skills in
either of these areas?
7.
What
are your methods for involving yourself in the lives of your people as their
shepherd and overseer of their souls?
8.
What
activities characterize your evangelistic interest? What is your approach to
personal evangelism? corporate evangelism?
9.
What
is your approach to counseling? How do you handle your counseling load?
10. What are your specific and regular
practices regarding the spiritual disciplines (e.g., personal prayer, Bible
study, meditation, stewardship, learning, etc.)?
11. How would you describe a successful
pastor? How would you describe a successful church?
12. How is the pastor
held accountable? What relationships in your life currently provide
accountability for responsible attitudes and behavior, both personally and as
pastor?
13. Who are your favorite Christian
writers, commentators, theologians, etc.? Why? What books have you read in the
past year?
14. Describe an instance when you made
attempts to reform the church in some significant area. What were the results?
What did it cost you personally?
15. Describe your leadership style. What
have been some weaknesses? Strengths?
16. When you have met with opposition, has
it been mostly related to your style of leadership, your personality, your
beliefs, or something else?
17. According to your observations, what
doctrines need special emphasis in our day?
18. What is true biblical repentance?
19. What is true biblical faith?
20. Explain justification by faith. What
is the difference between the Catholic view of justification and the biblical
view?
21. Please explain your view of
sanctification. What are the various means God uses to sanctify the believer?
22. Can a person have Christ as his Savior
without submitting to Him as Lord? Explain.
23. What is your position on the inerrancy
of Scripture?
24. Explain the biblical term
“baptism of the Spirit.” When does this baptism occur?
25. What are your views on baptism by
water?
26. How does the Bible relate the
sovereignty of God to salvation?
27. What does the Bible teach about the
extent of man’s depravity?
28. What does Christ’s atonement
accomplish?
29. What does the Bible teach about the
perseverance and preservation of believers?
30. What is the proper use of the Old
Testament law?
31. How do you articulate your present
view of end-time or eschatological issues?
32. Do you believe that Jesus Christ was
born of a virgin? What is the significance of your belief?
33. What is your interpretation of the
biblical teaching on Hell?
34. Do you believe that the events
described in Genesis 1-11 are factual or symbolic?
35. What does the Bible teach concerning
spiritual gifts? Please delineate your views about prophecy and speaking in
tongues.
36. What is your view of divorce and
remarriage? How strictly will you follow this view in practice?
37. What is your view of the phrase,
“The bishop [pastor] then must be...the husband of one wife” (1
Tim. 3:2)?
38. What are your requirements for
performing a marriage ceremony?
39. Please explain your views on church
discipline. Relate any personal experience.
40. How would you handle a case of scandal
or immorality by a church member?
41. What is your view on abortion?
42. Many children who appear to be
converted at an early age show no evidence of knowing Christ later. How do you
handle children when they come to you for counsel concerning conversion? What
is your advice to parents?
43. What is a useful plan for receiving
new members into the church? What are prerequisites?
44. What are your views on styles of
church music?
45. Who should direct the worship of the
church? Why? Which methods of leading corporate worship are appropriate? Which
are inappropriate?
46. What does the Bible teach is the
purpose of the church’s weekly gathering?
47. What are your views regarding raising
money for various projects within the church? Should the church solicit those
outside the church?
48. What are your convictions about the
local church and debt?
49. What does the Bible teach about women
in pastoral ministry?
50. What does the Bible teach about how
churches should make decisions?
51. How should a pastor and his church
relate to other churches locally and (if denominational) to the larger body? Do
you feel comfortable cooperating with other denominations? Do you draw any
lines?
52. What are the biblical responsibilities
of elders? Are there any distinctions between elders, pastors, and overseers?
If applicable, what distinctions exist between staff and non-staff pastors?
53. What are the biblical responsibilities
of deacons? How are deacons and elders to relate?
54. What emphasis do you give to the
leadership of fathers with their families, especially in terms of family
worship? Do you personally engage in family worship with your wife and
children?
55. What is your missionary vision for the
church? How are you currently demonstrating missionary interest and
involvement?
Jim Elliff and Don
Whitney
Questions for a Prospective Pastor, Christian
Communicators Worldwide, www.CCWtoday.org.Used
by Permission.