A practical theological exploration of pastoral hiring process within the Canadian Evangelical Church

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to understand and reflect theologically upon the pastoral hiring process and the scriptural, cultural and contextual influences that impact this practice. This study is a needed reflection at this time in Canadian church history because of the increasingly pluralistic, secularized and consumer-minded society that the church find itself immersed in. More than ever, it is critical that the church and its leadership engage in a critical reflection of praxis. Rather than being called to accommodate the culture, the church is tasked with interpreting and engaging the culture with practices that are often counter-cultural - but that faithfully reflect scriptural values and principles of the gospel. Leadership, and particularly pastoral leadership, is a critical element to navigate these times and to lead the church forward. As pastoral vacancies arise, the ability of the church to identify and select these pastoral leaders is a vital practice within the church.

This study focuses on the evangelical landscape in Canada, with a representative sample of four churches from one of the larger evangelical denominations. It utilized a qualitative, multiple case study approach using Osmer’s ‘descriptive-empirical tasks’ to explore the pastoral hiring processes. The primary data collection method was semi-structured interviews. Additional relevant materials were obtained from participant churches and the denominational leadership (job descriptions, candidate profile template and bylaws) in an effort to further triangulate the data representative of a church’s hiring process. Data was then analyzed utilizing a thematic approach and Atlas.Ti qualitative software to identify the main themes to be addressed. From this study, the contribution to practical theology is a rigorous, descriptive understanding and reflection of the church pastoral hiring practice within the Canadian evangelical church in light of current assumptions, cultural influences and the challenge of the evangelical church to critically discern and respond in its continuing process of faithful theological formation and spiritual development. It offers some reflections and a possible reorientation to the evangelical church for the pastoral hiring process and practices of the church, while engaging both the current culture and the church’s declared priority of the authority of scripture.