FAQs Regarding our Pastor Search Committee

1. What is a Pastor Search Committee (PSC)?

The Pastor Search Committee (PSC) is a committee of the congregation, elected by the congregation, tasked with identifying and presenting a candidate for Senior Pastor. As a PCA church, we are governed by the Book of Church Order (BCO), which provides our framework for church government and ministry in accordance with Scripture. Chapter 20 of the BCO outlines the process for calling a Senior Pastor, including the role of the PSC.
In accordance with the BCO, the congregation elects the members of the PSC, typically an odd number of qualified communicant members, to serve on the committee. Once elected, the PSC is responsible for organizing itself in prayer, carefully evaluating pastoral candidates, and discerning God’s leading in the search. After completing its work, the PSC presents its recommended candidate to the congregation, which then votes to affirm or reject the nomination.

2. Why do we need a PSC?

A strong Pastor Search Committee (PSC) is vital in discerning and presenting God’s chosen candidate for Senior Pastor. The committee is tasked with carefully evaluating prospective candidates, considering preaching ability, leadership skills, theological soundness, pastoral wisdom, and other gifts necessary for effective ministry. The PSC conducts thorough and intentional investigation and assessment, reviewing profiles and qualifications in depth, to ensure a wise and prayerful evaluation process that honors God and serves the congregation well.

3. How will the PSC be formed?

While the BCO does not prescribe a specific process for forming a Pastor Search Committee (PSC), the Session desires to take nominations from the congregation for members qualified to serve. These nominations will be reviewed by the Session Leadership Team and the full Session to ensure a slate of known, qualified church members who represent the broad demographic and ministry life of our congregation. The final slate will then be presented to the congregation for election, in accordance with the BCO.

4. How many will be on the PSC and how will a committee chair be selected?

McGowan Global Institute (MGI), the company we have hired to help us with our pastor search, recommends an odd number of members on the PSC, with seven to nine being the usual number. The odd number keeps the committee from having tie votes. The committee chair is selected by the PSC, normally one with experience or time to run committee functions.

5. Will there be sufficient representation of our congregation on the PSC?

Our Pastor Search Committee will be intentionally formed to reflect the diversity of our congregation. In reviewing nominations, the Session will seek a balanced mix of members across gender, age, marital and family stage, worship service attended, and ministry involvement, so that the committee represents Westminster as a whole. There will be elder and deacon representation on the PSC, but the majority of the committee will be comprised of at-large members of the church. Any adult member who meets the stated qualifications and is willing to serve may be considered.

6. What happens at the congregational meeting on February 22?

On February 22, the congregation will be presented with a slate of nine candidates and two alternates to comprise the Pastor Search Committee. All members are allowed to vote for or against this slate of candidates. Members will not have the option of voting for each individual candidate. The slate of candidates needs a simple majority vote to be approved.

7. What is expected of a PSC member and how long should he/she be expected to serve?

A comprehensive search often takes a year or even longer, with most PSC’s meeting weekly to establish processes, and accomplish the profiling and investigative work required by any committee. The member is expected, with the congregation, to pray and seek God for the good of the church, and to follow best practices to identify and vet and choose God’s man.

8. What is the role of McGowan Global Institute (MGI) and how does the PSC and MGI work together?

MGI is an established assessment and placement ministry which functions with the PSC as a ministry partner and a company with a long track record of using wise best practices to aid the PSC. MGI has members who are teaching elders, ruling elders, and administrators in the PCA with an expansive background in the practices, procedures, and processes that work best for PSC activities. In fact, with over 200 searches for Senior Pastors over the past 12 years, only a handful have not produced a new pastor who led the church to renewed growth. MGI, however, never dictates policy or practices, nor does the group mandate any function. As a ministry partner, MGI simply walks the search committee through practices that are “tried and true” and have led to great results. Thus, MGI will have a lead consultant working weekly with the PSC to establish patterns of prayer, various committees, vetting and profiling processes, processes on listening wisely to sermons and discerning proper information from references and interviews. MGI leads the committee to an efficient use of resources to accomplish a search in an efficient manner.

9. What happens when the PSC has selected a final candidate?

The PSC, upon selecting a final candidate for Senior Pastor, is responsible for presenting a comprehensive candidate profile to the congregation.  This would include background and biographical information as well as opportunities to hear a selection of past sermons. This normally occurs in a specially called congregational meeting to communicate the PSC findings and present information on the candidate. Following the congregational meeting to present the candidate, most PSC’s have a follow up meeting in several weeks to vote on the candidate. A candidate should receive a high majority of the vote—though only a majority is required.

10. What is the relationship of the PSC to the congregation?

The PCA Book of Church Order calls for the PSC to be a committee of the congregation.[MS2.1][AK2.2] Accordingly, the PSC reports directly to the congregation and will provide regular updates on the progress of the search process as it carries out its work.

11. What is the relationship of the PSC to the Session?

The PSC must honor the role and authority of the Session, as given by our Lord through the scriptures. Even so, the PSC does not report to the Session, nor is the Session given ruling authority over the PSC by the Book of Church Order. However, the PSC always keeps the Session informed of their progress and functions, even though the Session has no authority over those functions.

12. How often does the PSC meet with the Session and the congregation?

The PSC meets with the congregation to inform them of progress, or to give specific information about the search. These meetings should occur only when clear communication or information is required. The Session is normally apprised of committee functions by the Chair or Co-Chair, but if the PSC so decides, the full committee can meet with the Session, as needed.

13. What is the BCO and how does it prescribe information to this process?

In sum, while biblical precepts give the Session major leadership functions within a local church, the PCA, through the Book of Church Order, gives the authority of the Senior Pastor selection to the Congregation, with the Pastor Search Committee functioning as the committee of the congregation. It is the role of the congregation to ultimately select and vote on the new Senior pastor. It is then up to the Presbytery to review and approve the selection by the local congregation/church.