Zoom Interview Questions

General

1. What aspects of Church on the Hill have attracted you to pursue this position?

1a – What prompted you to begin your search for a new position?

WORSHIP/PREACHING

2. Having looked at our bulletin and seeing how our Sunday service is conducted, how does your vision of worship compare to ours? (similarities/differences)

2a – Music is an important part of our ministry. In your view, how does music support the worship service?

3. What are topics that you prefer to preach about?

3a – Are there any topics you feel uncomfortable preaching about?

4. How do you address societal issues, such as same sex marriage, war, death penalty, racism, abortion, etc.? Do you ignore them? Deal with them from the pulpit?

CONGREGATION

5. How do you personally connect and relate with members of your congregation to make them feel that you are approachable?

6. How do you deal with difficult personalities and/or factions within the church? Can you support that with an actual example from your past?

PASTORAL CARE

7. What is your definition of pastoral care? And where does it fit into your overall priorities?

7a – What is your comfort level with visitations to hospitals, facilities or in someone’s home? 

8. The reality of an aging congregation is that members may become ill and sometimes homebound. Or they may lack strong support networks. As the minister, what do you see as your role in these situations?

ADMINISTRATION

9. How do you understand your role as minister in church administration?

9a – What level of experience do you have with church finances? 

9b – How about aging building?  

10. What do you do when a committee under-functions? Or a particular member over-functions?

PROGRAMS

11. What are your top priorities in Christian Education?

12. How would you specifically plan to establish and grow a Youth Program at COTH?

13. Do you have any specific ideas or programs that you would be interested in introducing to this congregation?

13a – How would you go about setting goals for this new project? How do you approach this new project from beginning to end?  How would you evaluate the progress and success of the project?

MISSIONAL

14. Our church’s mission and vision is that “Church on the Hill is called, as the body of Christ, to be a beacon of light and hope to our community and the world.” How would you guide this mission?

15. How would you engage with other congregations and religious groups in the community?

16. How will you establish your personal presence in the community?

PERSONAL

17. What are your greatest strengths? And in what areas would you like to grow?

18. How will you go about establishing a support network?

19. It’s said that personal integrity is what churches desire above all else in a pastor. What does integrity mean to you?

20. What sort of continuing education would you be interested in pursuing and why?