1. First Calls in Uncertain Times
SMVPO
2012

2. Outline Stats & Trends Starting with YOU
Marcia Myers, PC(USA) Vocation Director
Actively Seeking
Before the Call Comes

3. Stats and Trends In PC(USA) after “certified ready to receive a call”
29% are ordained within 6 months
33% are ordained within 7-12 months
By 2 years out, 90% will receive a call
Median: 9 months to first call

4. Starting with YOU
Do everything you can to convey a professional image:
Appearance
Timeliness
Follow-up contacts with committees
Don’t burn bridges
Politeness
Attitude of gratitude, not entitlement

5. Only YOU Highlight your uniqueness in interviews and resumes/PIFs
Gifts for ministry
Interests
Skills from previous work

6. Word to the Wise
If you haven’t taken candidacy steps to get final approval to search, DO SO immediately.

7. Actively Seeking
What is your mindset? Start with prayer that is oriented toward God and not self.
Have a “Plan B” in place in case you do not receive a call immediately.
Start Networking
Many positions are never posted because they are filled through networking
Every person you meet may be a potential resource
Places to network: presbytery/conference; internship contacts; home church; conferences;

8. Actively Seeking, cont. Direct Contact with churches/agencies
Denominational/conference/presbytery websites
Search as geographically broad as possible
Consider bi-vocational ministry
Take advantage of SMVPO’s services (reverse matching, resume reading, PIF reading, Bios, etc.)
Interview early and often

9. Specifically For Presbyterians
The Church Leadership Connection (CLC) has many job opportunities.
The CLC does NOT have ALL the churches that are seeking.
Usually churches that are seeking part-time and specialized ministries don’t post on the CLC. Those tend to be shared by word of mouth and on presbytery websites.
Positions on the rise: designated pastor, bi-vocational ministry, “Ignite Movement: New Worshipping Communities”

10. Other Job Posting Sites*
MinistryList.com
ChurchJobs.net
ChurchEmployment.com
ChurchStaffSearch
PastorSearchCommittee
ChurchStaffing.com
MinistryJobs.com (non-denom., Assem. of God, etc.)
Association of Professional Chaplains
Idealist.org (non-profit jobs)
NonProfitJobs.org
Youth Pastor.com (good site! Mainline denoms. And more)
*be careful about sharing personal info until you have checked the legitimacy of the posting

11. Denominational Sites Presbyteries American Baptist Church
Opportunity Search PC(USA) (racial ethnic, “diversified”)
VA Conference of the United Methodist Church

12. Until the Call Comes . . . Consider internships after graduation
Consider “For Such a Time as This” program
Explore a non-ordainable call
If financially possible, volunteer at a church or non-profit
Do pulpit supply
Serve as a pastoral associate