Recently, I got to thinking about the process of being hired for a ministry position.
Some denominations will simply place a minister into a congregation with very little input from the congregation. Other denominations will provide names of possible ministers for a congregation to look over and then choose from. And a third possibility is that the congregation is simply "on its own" in finding a new minister.
I have always been a part of congregations who vote on incoming ministers. Most of the time, a minister has to receive at least 75% "yes" votes to be called. This percentage will vary on the particular position and by congregation. I have my own thoughts on the subject, which I might share late, but for now I want to hear what you think about the percentage of approval.
If you were applying for a new youth ministry position and the congregation had to vote, what is the lowest vote percentage you would be willing to accept for a new ministry? This is all assuming you feel God leading you to this congregation and there being no red flags or other negatives to keep you from working on staff. This is not necessarily the percentage set by the congregation. (for instance, if the congregation says you need a 76% or better and you get a 80% yes vote, would you still accept?)
What is the lowest approval percentage you would accept for a new ministry?
1. 75%
2. 80%
3. 85%
4. 90%
5. 95%
6. 97%
7. 100%
8. other
vote on the poll and leave a comment on this post sharing your reasoning. Or if you have a story to tell about approval votes, we'd love to hear that, too.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
New Poll: Lowest approval vote you would accept for a new ministry
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What's funny about the voting process is how similar (scary!) it is to how people vote for an elected official. They know almost nothing about the candidate... they are deciding based almost entirely on the trust of the person presenting them.
ReplyDeleteIf you need a job and feel called there... I'd say go with whatever percentage works. But obviously, the closer you get to Sadaam Hussein numbers... the better.
I agree Adam, I know of people who have voted "no" because they didn't like one of the elders or thought the process was flawed (nothing to do with the actual minister candidate).
ReplyDeleteI know some congregations where 75% is required, but having 1/4 of the congregation (who can vote) say they do not think you are going to be a good fit is a high number of opposition. Thus, I was curious what other people thought.