NEW Pastor Questions- Church Qs for leaders*
This list will be reorganized soon. The questions are purposely not topicalized.
* the numbers are out of order here while it's being organized.
Will seperate into 2 parts so you can send half the list to the pastor for after your initial visit to the church. The numbers listed are also out of order since they were added to, and this is a work in progress.
*If it is a non denomination church send this list of Questions first, before the below. If the pastor & church "pass the test" then get his email and send the below as follow up questions.
*When contacting a church at a denomination, copy and paste the below into the email to send the Pastor.
1. What kind of church is this?
Is this a church campus (such as a satellite location with preaching done by lcd screen) or a member of a satellite church?
Is it a individual stand alone church (with a local senior pastor and decons on premesis, or is the pastor at a distant campus)?
Are there other churches in the county you are affiliated with or in an association with ?
2. What is man's biggest problem: sin or self-esteem?
3. What must a person do to inherit eternal life?
4. Do you believe in a literal hell and a place of eternal punishment?
5. Do you believe in & teach a literal six day creation?
6. Do you believe the Bible contains "errors"?
💥Do you believe and teach the doctrine of Penal Substitutionary Atonement? And are you holding firm to it or leaning away from it?
[*This is a vital part of the biblical Gospel, so it is shocking to hear some churches have removed this & began preaching a false gospel. Avoid any church that denies PSA].
💥Are there any teachings of the historical held Essentials of Christianity that you are leaning towards no longer believing, and same Q for the church/leaders.
💥Are you considering leaving the church and going to Catholicism or Orthodox faiths?
💥Are you considering leaving Christianity?, [for any reason].
💥Have you struggled with some kind/any mental illness?
💥Do you advocate for professional biblical counseling, & Have you ever, recently or are you currently seeing one?
💥What colleges and seminaries did you graduate from (and what years)? [* the years help you know if they graduated prior to a now leftist/woke one before it became woke].
7. Do you teach cessationism or continuationism of spiritual gifts? If the latter, explain briefly [what you mean/what your belief on that is].
8. Do you believe a big issue in the culture today is sin not skin?
9. A.Do you or the church promote Social Justice & related CRT, DEI, ESG views?
If yes, explain (each one).
If no, do you agree with the statementonsocialjustice.com statement on the issue? And did you sign it?
💥B. What is your opinion of these pastors, based on things theyve said:
●Al Mohler
● Ligion Duncan
● John Piper
● Mark Denver
[* 🛑👉 this is re woke topics, their participation in or/& responsible for the woke push in churches and seminaries, pro crt woke views, etc, and opinion on their being at GCC teaching pastors at Shepherds Conf 25 after JMac died, + Piper view of no self defense (not even helping protect his/ones wife 😶)].
C. Do you think in terms of intersectionality?
10. Do you believe women can preach in the pulpit "if the elders allow it", or [in general] believe that God has forever forbid women from preaching at the pulpit as a preacher or special speaker in a Sunday/Worship service, based on Adam and the qualifications of a preacher in NT.
11. Do you have any female decons? If so what is the reasoning, and does it violate 1 Timothy 3:8-13 [noting vs 11&12] qualifications?
12. Do you accept into membership or have any lgbt+/trans members, and are they in leadership or teaching positions?
13. Are there any women in "higher" roles in the church? (Co-pastor, decon, elder, Sunday school teacher who is teaching over men, a worship leader, anyone who has a prominent role in front of the congregation).
14a. Do you allow women to "read" Scripture in worship service to the congregation?
✝️15. Were you born male [with a Y chromosome] with genitalia and are living as a male?
A. Are you a straight man or do you have bi pan or other sexualities?
B. Are you gender fluid, transgender or have any other sexuality/identification than only straight? If so what.
C. Have you in the past had a gender confused experience and, at any point, began living as a different gender or species than the one God designed you as at birth?
D. If married, answer A.B.C for your spouse.
E. Have you ever in the past been anything other than a born male and "straight" (in 1 man and 1 woman only relationships)?
F. Are you married, if so is your wife a born female genitalia and living as a female?
16. What is your view on gays, transgenders & lgbt and the other identities, including (such as) furries and trans species?
17. A What is your view of gender/trans preferred pronouns?
B. How do you suggest your members respond to people asking to be called xyz pronoun?
C. Do you teach that using such preferred pronouns cause Christians to "lie" & therefore to regularly sin against God?
D. And, how do you teach on believers being faithful to God and deal with the pronoun & the lgbt+ issue in the secular workplace?
🔥18. Can an lgbt+ person at this church serve in any capacity? If so where? 1. Anywhere, 2. At least one service area but not everywhere, 3. Nowhere 4. Haven't discussed with leadership to make a policy yet/not sure.
20. When you preach:
C. How do you share the salvation message at the pulpit? 1. Do you? 2. Is it in the message. 3. Is it a call at the end of the service?
D. What would be a "short generic gospel" would you say if having a conversation with a non believer in public.
B. And does your church have pew Bibles for visitors?
21. How hard is it to become a Christian?
22. How often do you talk about sin, righteousness, and judgment, in the pulpit?
23. How seeker-sensitive is your church?
24. How do you handle complex theology in your sermons?
25. What is your mixture of topical vs. expository preaching?
26. How much time is allotted in the worship service for singing, and how long is the sermon?
27. What kind of music does the church sing? Modern Christian music; bethel, hillsong, etc, traditional praise music, hymns, hynms and praise?
B. If you use modern songs:
* Does the church have a traditional normal pulpit stage or does it utilize concert like stages and lighting for an "experience" during worship?
* How much does the church pay out in song royalties/usage fees every year?
*Do you allow music ministry to play Bethel, Elevation, Hillsing music? Or has it been banned by church policy.
28. What does the music time look like? Congregational singing together with piano/organ/ traditional instruments, or modern concert instruments ?
B. Has this church been redesigned or geared towards marketing to younger generations at the expense of older saints [in the church or the older & elderly who would visit or join this church], and does it not take into consideration the needs or health issues of believers at any age?
Examples would be around modern music & using LCS Screens. Does this church disreguard the disabled such as hearing impaired or elderly in congregation, (who have hearing problems or wear hearing aids that such loud music can hurt their ears or their head in general), remembering we are one body & not to be selfish minded, not focused on one demographic (such as MZAlpha ages) [to fatten your pocket & fund the finances of your pet projects].29. What is your view of the Old Testament? Is it valid for Christians today, (as part of Scripture, God's Word, and teachings for believers), or do you think it is no longer valid or important and we should "unhitch" from it.
30. What is your view about thought sins? Such as is it a sin for anyone to think about sexual things [single or married (that is not related to their current spouse in appropriate ways)]?
31. Describe your evangelism programs.
A. What kind of Evangelism material do you all use?
B. Name some top ministries you use or are ok with the congregants utilizing or pointing them to.
C. Does your church have a local outreach group?
32. Do you have a Theatrical Outreach Ministry? [* you really dont want to be in a church that has this 😬].
A. If yes, is it worldly plays to draw the unsaved? And is it on the church campus or offsite?
B. If yes, is it only producing Christian themed plays with the end intention being sharing the gospel message after the play?
C. If no, what is your biblical perspective on Christians doing such worldly drama skit plays?
33. What church growth model/philosophy do you follow? [*This can reveal red flags].
B. Related: Does your church marketing, advertizing or outreach include geocatching?
[*"flock stealing" by phone ads in a 5 mile radious].
34. What are the 3 most important changes that are needed in the church, by leaders, and by congregants? [*This is about what the pastor things about his church problems].
35. By percentage:
How many men do you believe are mature godly men in the congregation?
How many youth/teens do you believe are actually born again (based on the fruit they show)?
How many people in the congregation are long time visitors who have never joined the church?
36. Are there men you are training up to be mature men of the faith from the congregation to become spiritual leaders at home (for when they marry or are married) And to be placed in leadership roles in the church (for various areas of serving)?
Do you have a mens group, and, How many (in number) are faithfully active participants in the mens group?
37. Has your church grown in number (in the last 365 days) from "new converts" coming into the church? If so, how many?
✨️38. Do you firmly believe and teach that Repentance is necessary for salvation?
39. Do you firmly believe that the Only way to salvation God has given us is through Jesus?
#💥 A. Do you have doubts about the Faith?
B. Have you been considering deconstructing, or are in the process of it?
C. If so what are issues, questions or problems you can't grasp, understand or get answers to?
#💥Are you considering changjng "Churches" to another Faith such as Catholic, Anglican or Orthodix? And what is the particular reason that youre feeling led towards that? [* 👉if he says church history, high church etc... Basically any answer - avoid that church. 1. They'll lose that pastor to false religion & 2. he is weak & 3. knows nothing of true Christianity for him to have such thoughts ...& is even going on to act on them; departing the true Gospel- going into apostacy].
1. a. How much do you give to missions?
1. b. missions fund. Does the church actively monthly support a missionary either in the area, the state, Conus or Outconus? Is that money available to them every month without fail and is it enough for them to live on?, or do you have missionaries coming around to the church every year asking members for additional giving to support that ministry (general earthy ministry of the gospel for the Lord)?
3.a What is the helps and policy of the church beyond helping the elderly widows, regarding if a church member has a legitimate financial need?
B. Do you have biblical counselors in the church, if not, do you send members to nouthetic biblical counselors, and if so, do you have a list of reputable ones you trust, and what counseling business or website do you send them to? if not, where do you send them?
43. Do you have a discipleship course for new believers? explain shortly about it.
44. When you distribute the Lord's Supper, do you emphasize the need for believers to examine ones self?
B. Do you offer grape juice as alternative for those who do not drink or are allergic?
C. Does your church do away with alcohol there cuz its far more alcoholic than Bible times, or to prevent alcoholics in the pews from having relapses or struggles?
45. Can a person who is living in a willful and persistent, unrepentant lifestyle of sin inherit eternal life?
46. Does your church exercise church discipline?
47. Do you preach politics?
A. is it a main chunk of what you talk about, or do you lightly touch on it where needed when a social or moral topic is in a sermon to point them to righteousness/ biblical worldview?
B. do you mostly avoid it unless it is directly related to a sin topic.
C. would you say you are conservative, or liberal? (If moderate, state liberal)
*D. Do you preach based one party view, or are neutral?
*E. Do you preach with that view on Scripture(?), [which today likely leans conservative, in many instances].
48. What do you believe about abortion?
> Do you advocate for personally and in the pulpit that a child is a human who is to be valued and protected at conception?
> For those wanting to speak to to a Christian Pregnancy Center, which local center do you refer members and visitors to? & is it associated with your church, and do any members work or volunteer there?
49. Among these, who all did you vote for Obama, Hillary, Biden, Trump?
>After they were in office, do you still feel you made the right choices based on what they accomplished in office?
>What were the top 5 reasons you voted for the person?
What "immoral beliefs" do these person(s) 'party' & their agendas they hold to that you "ignored" to vote for them?
> How do you see their "beliefs", on topics of their party's platform, "aligning with" what Scripture teaches?
B. Do you believe since God is in us, that it makes us a god?
51. According to your beliefs, What are the essentials of the Christian faith?
52. What criteria are used to determine if someone is qualified to be a Sunday school teacher or a youth volunteer? And what about church leaders?
B. Do you do background checks on every member, every person who volunteers or holds a position at the church, even janitors ? If not, on who (?)
C. Do you have a criminal background?
1. If so, what was it for?
2. Was it before you became a Christian?
3. Are you currently involved in anything illegal, even if no one knows about it yet
4. How often does the church do regular "updating of" checks on you? Is there a church policy on this? Like annually?
53. Is it currently policy that you ensure there's always 2 adults in the room when another person (or teen, baby, or child, girl or woman) is present? For in classes, in private convos conversations etc for accountability and safety?
54. What policy is in place in the church [and at every meet up gathering] such as women's fellowships and studies and events to prevent men identifying as women from attending, and using women bathrooms? Does your church have single stall bathrooms (with single external doors to each toilet) [not shared inner bathroom stalls]?
B. How do you ensure the women in church [even attending long term] in general do not invite a man identifying as a woman to these women only meetings, since 1. Its perversion and 2. Its a safety issue, 3.Women are both allowed to teach men and 4. Its specifically a female gathering. 5. Some can have surgery to look female and decieve.
C. How are the meet up leaders to handle the situation if the above happens? Or if a member has been bringing a unsaved 22 yr old sister to meetings, who in turn invites a man identifying as a woman to the event, and he shows up there?
54.A. Has your church had any problems with sexual abuse? By leaders, teachers, adults, teens or kids?
B. Have you been accused or guilty? (Either here or at previous church)
55. Describe your youth programs.
A. What kind of ministry do you have for teens and college age.
B. Is that ministry full of games and fun or is the focus on Scripture and Christ and raising up godly men and women.
B1. Do you have a link to the youth ministries messages in Sunday School or youth group ministry(?)
C. Do the teens and college age get equipped with the knowledge and teachings of Scripture to help them know the Bible & solidify their faith? If so, briefly explain and what resources do you use to do that, and how describe a bit how your church does this.
>as part of youth group and classes, do they specifically target to refute evolutionary teachings, and utilize examination tools (such as answers in Genesis & cold case Christianity) for investigating the truth to solidifying their faith? *90% of college professors destroy the faith of believers if the public high school teachers dont get to them first. What is the church doing to combat this?.
D. How many of the teens and college age students do you believe are actually saved who attend the youth dept., (whose parents are members). *And in general how many youth are in grade "x", high school & college ages?
And how you shepherd a college bound member? If none are there at the moment, how are you and the church preparing for those youth in the church, (and the older ones whose family might become members any day now who are headed there), who will eventually be college bound?
🔥57. Do you have "church guided" on campus school or home school coop among the members? Or affiliations to (& who?)
💥How does the church actively prevent children being targeted by visitors and others there from child abuse and grooming? Has anyone been found to be such person in the pews or leadership in last 20 yrs, or recently?
💥What is your stance on, and are you a member of, MAPS? [*Pedophiles]
What's the normal number of people attending the church on Sunday?
A. How many members are actually in the church? Non on the roster, but those who are active and have been attending on Sundays, and other days the church is open?
B. How many attend mid week and Sunday evening services
B. What Sunday school classes do you have for adults? Is it one group, or are there a couple of options, if options, what is the names of the group and what is a summary of the purpose of those groups.
C. Do you have any in home (weekly) Bible studies?
>if yes, when... and for fellowship group studies, explain briefly.
A. Does your church have outreach and activities they do in the community, such as bring a small short service and music to elderly and convalescent homes? Share what you offer, and how often it happens.
61. Do you buy sermons, or do you spend the week in Scripture and always create a sermon based on what you are studying?
💥How much time do you invest weekly in studying Scripture for preparing for a sermon?
62. Are your sermons archived online at YouTube, sermons audio or archive org?
>& Where can I access (links pls)
If you had to pick a known preacher who is most like your preaching style and content of your sermons, who is it?
63. Do you have an online presence beyond a basic personal social media page like facebook, and the church sermons?
B. If so, list the links to your presence on those sites.
64. What sermon series are you currently on?
>pls include link to that series & the sermon archives. For review.
65. What series do you plan to do next?
#66. What do you think was your worst message or series? Why, and what would you do differently? [*content and corrective q'].
💥66. Describe your understanding of Hell (meaning the Eternal Lake of Fire) in detail.
💥66. What view do you hold about Hell?
A. Eternal conscious torment
B. Annihilation/Conditionalism (and what version of it)
C. Do the other church leaders hold the same view (for cohesive teaching in the church)?
[*the only answer is A. Any other shows slippage towards heresy in that church, and it better be C also; no rogue dividers].
67. What is the end times eschatology view you preach in the pulpit? And what view do the other elders/decons, and Sunday School teachers hold to and teach?
68.a What is your basic view on soteriology? (Are you easy believing, whosoeverism, Calvinist 3 point, 4 point, 5 point? Etc).
B. Do you teach & preach that knowledge of sin is required when presenting the Gospel?
C. Explain succinctly and well:
* [your understanding] the definition of repentance.
* how sin are connected to the Gospel.
*define contrition.
*what Ps 51 has connection.
69. How does that compare with the beliefs of the majority of the members? And the elders/deacons?
70. How long have you been at this church and how long do you plan to stay?
71. Was there a pastor search committee when you were hired? Who was the lead person on the committee? And their email address.
72. Is this church a voting democracy where the congregation can fire you or override you at whim, or is it run by elders?
How do elders deal with pastoral sin?
How does the pastors contract for his position deal with pastor misconduct and sin?
73. Power Grubbers: Are there any people (without naming them) you've become aware of that are or potentially are troubled makers who've had 'power' in the past at this church, and may lead a grassroots effort to get rid of you? If yes, how many? And if so, are they possibly able to cause a church split? (*this wont necessarily cause me/my family to not attend, but is just something important to be aware of).
You, Certain members, A) who benefit from the buildings sale, or who?
B). How is the church safe from such nefarious members who have been there a long time?
If it is someone else:
How would you handle this issue?
Please give brief explanation and include whether that person would be permanently removed from that position, and does that sin disqualifies them from being a in that position forever?
If yes who does it apply to, if no, who does it apply to. And if no, what would be put in place to ensure that would never happen again?
What limitations would that church put on that person?
Would that go in their record in the church so to warn future churches of the problem that occurred at this church so the pastor and leaders are aware, to help protect that congregation and prevent those issues there while that person is in their fellowship?
Even if they didnt ask to have the church membership transferred (to hid the fact) would you contact the church they are at as soon as you found out where they are?
Would the church have that person leave the church upon investigation and permanently remove him from the job and fellowship at the church if such a thing took place?
If it is yourself:
How would you handle this issue?
Please give brief explanation and include whether you believe you are now permanently disqualified from being a pastor?
Would you be honest and come clean and deal with the fall out for doing such wickedness (and seek to repent and restore fellowship with the Lord, remove yourself to another church, and never serve in any leadership capacities in the future)?
Would admit it and go or would you have the church to call you to step down and leave the church upon investigation, and permanently remove you from the job and fellowship at the church if such a thing took place?
As pastor, do you go to great lengths to ensure you are not committing sexual sin (whether married or not)?
List what disqualifies a pastor to continue being a pastor.
Do you ensure there is another adult in the room with you when interacting with others, even in counseling sessions?
Do you leave your door open for when someone comes in your office to ask questions, and do you have a church policy to ensure someone who comes to see you or other leaders are to come with another person for safety?
and do you ensure (if married) that you are never alone with any other female (or male if you find yourself having bisexual or homosexual thoughts) to avoid misunderstandings and potential sexual misconduct?
2. If you follow the 1963 version, is your church actively currently updating your statement to bring it in line with BF&M 2000 (on issues of women, biblical inerrancy and is it adding the supplemental 2023 statement on women in the church)?
3. And what is your views on Sabbath? Is it 1. To be kept or 2. We rest in Christ.
D. If you are not part of the SBC, what areas of your church Belief Statement do not align with areas on the current SBC BF&M & supplement on women? Just name the section (woman pastors, biblical inerrancy, are more progressive, etc).
1. What are your views on the Sabbath? Is it To be kept or We rest in Christ.
C. Based on your current data, what the top 2 most popular social platform your members use?
D. What general/est % of members engage the church page on social media for those platforms (Facebook, Twitter/X, youtube, Godtube, Instagram, etc)?
61. A. What seminary, college and university did you graduate from, and what are the degrees do you hold?
B. If masters or Ph.D, what was your thesis and dissertation on(?). And have you written any books?
C. Do you have any interviews about you online about yourself, from the news, or your books?
D. What is the church youtube website for sermons, and what platform does your church put its sermons into audio at (Sermon index, Sermon audio, spotify, podbean etc).
62. Describe your personality. Are you down to earth, narcissist, passive aggressive, power hungry, authoritative (in the megative sense), or gracious & forgiving and not bitter nor grudge holding, etc. Provide a decent a self description as reasonably possible.
🔥63. Would you consider yourself an entrepreneurial pastor, or a old school Bible pastor?
63. Does your family live nearby? Are they in the nearest city, a nearby county or are they out of State?
64. Are you married? Tell me lightly about your spouse. Do you have children? How old are they, and if teens or adults are they all saved and living a holy life?
> What was the reason you left the position
> If we called them to inquire about you, what would you expect them to say about you both positively and what would they caution or give concern about?
66. If you made a list of several preachers in the area, in your denomination, that you would say are ones to follow or ones to avoid, list them and say why.
67. Have any of the above pastors written books? Who and what is the title?
68. What popular books:
A. of the last couple years and of the last decade do you think Christians should avoid, and state why. Thanks.
B. Do you recommend to people currently. And how often do you read books
B2. Do you review books on amazon and kindle?
B3. Do you blog and list these books?
If you blog please include the blog link, and if you review books there please include that link too. Thanks.
69. What podcasts have you subscribed to and listen to in the last year, and listen to the most frequently currently?
70. Pastor salary Qs
A. How much does the church pay for your salary? Is there a housing provided in addition, or vehicle?
B. Do you believe the pay should be more(?), if so why? and are you concerned with the ability of the budget to keep paying you now and as inflation rises?
C. Do you have spare time to work a side job if needed, or would you leave to a larger congregation if there was higher money, vs staying where God has planted you?
D. Do most of your duties as pastor include only focusing on the sermon(s) for the week, or do you also handle lots of counseling vs outsourcing and redirecting people to certified biblical counselors? And are you expected to visit the sick, shut ins, etc of the membership vs the deacons/elders doing that and other delegated work?
71. Does this church:
A. intentionally train up men to be leaders in the church? Discuss briefly.
B. train up pastors from inside as apprentices learning under the pastor(s).
72 . Why would you say "church matters" for a member and for anyone who calls themselves a Christian?
73. Do you do biblical counseling with members, or do you/the church have certified biblical counselors in your congregation or do you and the decons/elders refer people to them?
74. Did your church provide counseling (to members and long term attenders) and come around these people? B. How will your church help these people during holidays? C. How is your church helping these people long term (in real ways)?
💥 What preacher networking and associations do you have with other pastors in your area and greater area do you have?
Do you seek counsel from those pastors on your Christian life as well as for pastoral advice?
Do you do pastoral life alone, or Are you accountable to someone [or multiple people] in your Christian life and as a pastor? [Besides your church and your wife]. How often do you meet with those people, and what was the latest issue they guided you about. What was the last time they admonished you and what was it about, & dud you recieve their helpful instruction & correction, and thank them?
Have you ever been subject to church discipline? If so, for what & how was it corrected and restored? [*answer both as a believer and also a pastor.]
Do you have a criminal record [juvie included], if so for what and what was the legal outcome from it.
💥
75. Finally: Why should we become a member of your church?
*Also please share the link to your personal facebook page (and friend me so I can look through you page as part of the process) as well as the church facebook page and church website link.
And include info about the year, degree, and college you graduated from.
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