Potential Church was once known as Flamingo Road Church and resided on the corner of Flamingo Road in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. In recent years, Potential Church has exploded in growth – six campuses with a growing attendance of nearly 13,000 people. “Our new name reveals where we are going. ‘Potential’ pushes us to hope, it pushes us to our future and helps us live out our mission to partner with people to reach their God Potential!” says Lead Pastor, Troy Gramling.
With the growth Potential Church has experienced, the need for gifted staff has grown. Potential Church has retained The Vanderbloemen Group to aid in finding candidates for several exciting positions located in both Pensacola and Fort Lauderdale.
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by William Vanderbloemen
You can know a man’s wit by his answers. You will know his wisdom by his questions.
I find myself spending more and more energy looking for good questions. I am almost finished with a focused three year study on interviewing techniques I had designed for our search work, and I have come to believe that what you ask can be the difference maker in discernment.
Have you ever noticed how often the Bible says, “Jesus answered them by asking a question….?”
These days, I spend my time helping churches find key staff. Prior to doing executive search, I served as the Senior Pastor and Head of Staff for large churches for many years. Both of those roles have required me to keep improving on how to ask the right questions. If you’re like me, that’s a skill that you weren’t taught in school.
Most churches I have studied have about a 50% success rate with their hires working out over the long haul. Interviewing the right way is a real difference maker in improving the likelihood of a long term match between candidate and church.
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The pile of resumes flooding your inbox is growing by the minute. You open each one, scan down the highlights, and make a snap judgment. Maybe ten percent of the candidates get a call for an interview. You’ve been preparing for these meetings over the last two weeks. It’s going to be tough to find just the right person, and there’s the question that always hangs in the back of your mind, are these candidates even really qualified for this position?
Even the best managers have been fooled in the past and have ended up with a bad hire (thank goodness for those 90-day evaluations!) How can you discern a professional interviewee from a truly professional candidate? Here are several areas that can help you craft interview questions during the process to discern whether or not you are in fact interviewing a great candidate, or just a professional interviewee.
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If you’ve been involved with the interviewing process in ministry, you know there’s no cookie-cutter approach. A lot of how staff members get hired has to do with equal amount relationship as well as fit (and of course calling plays a role, but we considered that a given.) However, you shouldn’t take a key relationship or even a team-fit for granted. A poor interview can derail the train to the ministry job of your dreams. Recently we were inspired by this great article about interviewing for your dream job in the secular world. Here are some tips for staying focused and intentional through the ministry hiring process.
1) Be direct: It seems obvious, but often stories take the place of direct answers and can confuse the person interviewing you. Answer the question first, and if there’s an appropriate example to share, that’s the time to tell the story.
2) Listen to their needs first: You may see glaring potential in the position for which you’re interviewing, but the person interviewing you already has a set of questions to ask. Remember at this point in the process, he or she has the most important agenda, not you.
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Forbes Magazine published an article on why big businesses lose their most talented people. The parallels between corporations and churches missing out on great talent were strikingly similar.
1. The Way We Always Do Things: Has your church become a machine and the people who serve on staff or in volunteer roles simply cogs who show up, make something happen, and go home? If those who are doing the work don’t have input into the vision, it’s likely they’ll get stifled and not be able to use their creativity and talent to truly support the church. They just become warm bodies on an assembly line, so to speak.
2. Do You Know Their Passion? If anyone has ever attended church for a length of time, one will always hear the desperate “We need help in the nursery this summer!” plea from the pulpit. Sometimes seasons call for all-hands-on-deck, and often your church is willing to comply. Who’s looking out for the unique passions of the people in your church? Do you have a talented carpenter whose only area of service is picking up chairs after church? What would happen if there was a team of people who were passionate about finding ways for other people to use their passion? Win/win.
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The Vanderbloemen Search Group is pleased to share we have been retained Rolling Hills Christian Church in Eldorado Hills, California, in to assist in finding a Senior Pastor.
Rolling Hills is a church open to people from all backgrounds and strives to become the church described in Acts 2. Through relevant teaching, heart-felt worship, honest friendships, constant prayer, and compassionate care, Rolling Hills’ doors are open to everyone at any place on their spiritual journey. After 17 years of faithful service, Jeff Bigelow is stepping down to pursue other ministry opportunities. Rolling Hills is searching for the candidate to follow him in a seamless and fruitful transition.
The church’s track record speaks for itself. Founded with a vision to reach lost people and lead them to becoming fully devoted followers of Christ, the average attendance exceeds 2200, made up of all generations and a multitude of children.
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by Dr. John Townsend
One of the aspects of great leadership is to see things that have not yet come to pass, and to see diamonds in the rough. All good leaders have that “what if we…?” quality. However, every leader must, at the same time, come to terms with reality as well. “What is” can guide us toward a positive “What if.” And even the most positive and visionary leader can ignore reality to his or her peril. Here are the four critical realities that I believe every leader must face and embrace, rather than arguing with, rationalizing, or denying.
1. God and your fruit, not you, determine the value of your leadership. Whether you are a senior pastor, teacher, small group leader, or executive pastor, you have a service. Though you may have given blood, sweat and tears for years to develop it, you cannot determine its value. Only God and the fruit do that. What you are producing is larger than you, and it always speaks to you. Ask those who receive your service, what the value is. Ask them to be honest with you, as you are on a quest for reality. You may want to change things, to add or subtract to what you do. But don’t shirk asking for feedback from those most impacted by your work. It brings value and clarity to you. I have seen too many Christian leaders ask for the “good news” and miss the realities. If the news is discouraging, it is time then to receive encouragement and support from God and the safe people in your life. But even if it is hard news, reality is always your friend.
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We live in a culture where everyone is a winner, and there is no question that we are all broken people, but sometimes in ministry there can be confusion between showing grace and being afraid to hurt an individual’s feelings. When this confusion occurs we have forgotten the second part of Jesus’ command to speak truth to one another. The fact of the matter is that there may be people in your organization that probably shouldn’t be there. Few people enjoy the process of firing employees, especially in smaller organizations or places of worship, however, at some point a person has to contribute and help bring a team successfully toward a goal. A recent article published by Business Week outlines three types of people you need to fire:
- Victims: People who have the victim mentality believe everything associated with their position is in direct opposition to who they are. Instead of seeing opportunities, they only see problems. They feel as if they aren’t paid enough, aren’t respected enough, and that no good will come from their efforts. They tend to shift their energy into complaining and creating chaos rather than contributing to a common good. Be careful when letting victims go. Keep issues and reprimands documented. They’ll likely feel as if they were unjustly fired and may retaliate
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The Vanderbloemen Search Group is pleased to share we have been retained Mountain Lake Church in to assist in finding a Children’s Pastor. Mountain Lake Church (Mountain Lake) is a non-denominational congregation with a strong vision and track record for reaching the unchurched. The average attendance exceeds 2,200, with over 70 percent of all attendees having encountered faith and been baptized by Mountain Lake. The church has posted an annual positive growth rate of ten to fifteen percent almost every year of its existence. Church planters have sought out the advice and counsel of Mountain Lake and ChurchPlanters.com, a company founded by the Senior and Executive Pastors of Mountain Lake.
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by William Vanderbloemen
The following is a repost of one of the most popular posts on William’s site. Think of it as you reflect on the Christmas story this morning. If there were a parking lot at the manger….
Enjoy, and have a Merry Christmas.
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If Jesus built a parking lot for his congregation, he would probably copy one of this spot from a church I recently served.
The property at Cypress Creek is adjacent to the County Courthouse. That affords the church benefits like: folks leaving the courthouse needing prayer, 24/7 security, & lots of free additional Sunday parking.
But maybe best benefit of all is this parking spot that they get to use (from the County lot).
In all of my travels with executive search work, I have never run across a better reserved spot in a church. For about two years, I parked right next to it every Sunday, and laughed about every time.
I’m tempted to put up signs “reserved for prostitutes,” and another for “sinners,” just to round things out…
Honestly, if Jesus had a parking lot in his church, I believe this sign would be there. There wouldn’t be a sign reserving a spot for the Pastor, or anyone important. There would be a reservation for the unwelcome.
The church is supposed to be a place that doesn’t just tolerate new faces and people with baggage, but actually reserves a place for them. Are you reserving a place for the tax collector in your church? In your heart? Got a better picture that paints the idea? Share it with me and join the conversation.
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The Vanderbloemen Search Group is pleased to announce we have been retained by Church at the Springs in Ocala, Florida, to assist in filling the role of Student Pastor.
With humble beginnings in an office basement in 1994, Church at The Springs launched with 21 people and a mission to reach those far from God and the church. Over the last fifteen years, they have relocated fifteen times and have grown to over 3000 in attendance. As the church continues growing, everything is intentionally designed to reach the current culture and community. The focus is on God’s pursuit of us – not just on Sunday mornings, but every day of the week. The Springs strives to develop disciples through worship services and weekly groups as well as church planting around the country. So far, they have started hundreds of churches through conferences and networks.
The Student Pastor will serve as chief communicator, biblical teacher, and leader for the Church at The Springs student ministry. The successful candidate will be responsible for teaching culturally relevant, biblically accurate messages.
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The Vanderbloemen Search Group is pleased to announce that we have been retained by Peachtree Presbyterian Church in Atlanta, GA to assist in finding their new Chief Communications Officer.
Peachtree Presbyterian Church is the largest and one of the most respected Presbyterian (USA) churches in the United States. Founded as a Sunday school for children in 1910, it has become a thriving multifaceted full-service church dedicated to serving the community of which it is a part. It is a regional church, drawing from areas for beyond its neighborhood, reaching across the western corridors of the city. With a weekly attendance of 4,000, beautiful modern facilities resting on 26 acres of land in the prestigious Atlanta-Buckhead area, Peachtree continues to expand and grow as it seeks to creatively serve the world around it.
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We are excited to announce that we have been retained by McKinney Memorial Bible Church in Fort Worth, Texas, to assist in filling the role of Pastor of Adult Ministries.
McKinney Memorial Bible Church (McKinney) is a non-denominational, externally-focused Bible church whose purpose is to “Develop Christ-Centered People Who Make a Difference” by communicating the practical relevance of the Bible for everyday life and for empowering and equipping its members to serve the world in Jesus’ name. This church has experienced steady growth over twenty years, is well positioned in the southwestern region of Fort Worth, Texas, and is comprised of largely young families. McKinney consistently emphasizes serving the local community and provides many opportunities throughout the week for involvement.
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It’s the end of the year and many organizations are evaluating their budget and staffing needs for 2012. During this time when every penny and every person is being assessed, how can you help make sure your job is safe from the year-end chopping block?
The Wall Street Journal’s Julie Steinberg offers five tips that were written for the corporate world, but we believe have many applications to Kingdom for as well.
Stay in the Front: Do you show up at work, take care of business and leave when the clock strikes five? If you’re spending all of your time at your desk and no time engaging with your coworkers and superiors, you may become a distant memory. Don’t go overboard trying to get attention, but do make an extra effort at sending updates, contributing to projects, and complimenting others’ jobs well done.
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The Vanderbloemen Search Group is pleased to announce we have been retained by Radiant Church in Surprise, Arizona to assist in filling the role of Senior Pastor.
Radiant Church began in 1997 in a local elementary school. Not only has the city of Surprise, Arizona expanded, but the number of attenders and those committing their lives to Jesus have also grown. Currently, Radiant Church serves 3500 people a weekend. Growth opportunities are abound with a vibrant student and children’s ministry, a committed core of members, and a new Family Life Center about to break ground. Radiant Church is focused on the five purposes given by Jesus: Worship, Ministry, Evangelism, Fellowship, and Discipleship. Many weekly programs are available for every age group and for special interests as well. Weekend programming consists of casual, friendly and contemporary services.
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We are excited to announce that the Vanderbloemen Search group has been retained by Trinitarian Congregational Church in Wayland, MA to assist their search for a new Senior Pastor.
Trinitarian Congregational Church (TCC) is a non-denominational congregational church with a strong vision and track record for biblical teaching and witness. Founded in 1828, the church has a vision to connect the Gospel and the teachings of the Bible with people seeking to apply their faith in their daily lives. Over its 183 year history, TCC has been renowned in the community and beyond for reaching families and individuals in Wayland and many surrounding towns and equipping them with a biblical understanding and worldview.
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As nonprofit organizations grow, often their job searches extend into for-profit industries. Transitioning from the pace and culture of a bottom-lined focused organization to a nonprofit can be stressful. The Bridgespan Group recently posted some tips for new hires exploring the new territory of the nonprofit world.
Preshow: If you’re interested in making the switch and are interviewing at nonprofit organizations, use this time to uncover as much as you can about the processes, systems and environment of the organization. Some nonprofits, especially those who are expanding quickly, may not have training structures in place, which can lead to a bumpy transition. By asking about specific coaching and leadership cultures, you can gauge the temperature of the senior leadership team.
Waiting to Begin: You’ve been hired, and now you’re waiting to begin. How can you get a head start on more smoothly transitioning? If you have several weeks before you begin, ask for any material the organization may have produced – internally and externally – so you can start learning the language and key focuses. If you’re able to, meet with other senior leaders and any managers with whom you’ll be directly working. This will help establish trust before you unpack your office so you can immediately contribute.
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If you’re in charge of hiring someone, you’ve likely faced the paradoxical excitement of hiring the right person mixed with the dread that lingers if you choose poorly. The Harvard Business Review recently published an article on avoiding hiring disasters to help managers lessen the anxiety that often accompanies a new hire. There are some great applications here that are meant for the corporate world, but translate well to most churches or para-church organizations.
Here are some of the expert insights we gleaned from the article that we believe might help you in your hiring efforts.
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1. We are pleased to announce that Mars Hill Church, based in Seattle, WA has retained us to help in their search for a Chief Operating Officer.
Mars Hill is one of the leading churches in the country. Led by founding Pastor Mark Driscoll, the church has grown from a Bible study to over 12,000 weekly attenders at 14 different churches in 4 states, Washington, Oregon, New Mexico, and California.
The Chief Operating Officer will sit on the senior lead team of the staff, and will give leadership in the overall strategy, communication, and development of churchwide efforts, as well as existing and future campuses. The COO will office at church headquarters in Seattle. Interested applicants can directly apply for this position here:
2. Acts 29, the church planting network birthed by Mars Hill, has also retained our firm to help identify their next Chief Operating Officer. The COO will help with the development, execution, and implementation of the overall strategy of Acts 29. The network oversees more than 500 churches and is steadily growing throughout the country.Interested applicants can directly apply for this position here:
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The Vanderbloemen Search Group is pleased to announce we have partnered with Preston Trail Community Church in Frisco, Texas, to assist in filling the position of Executive Pastor.
Preston Trail Community Church, located in the fastest-growing area of the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex, is a growing, relational church of 2000 attenders and home to a vibrant children’s ministry. Preston Trail has a creative approach to ministry that is Biblically modeled and follows many principles from Jim Collin’s book “Good to Great.” The church is co-pastored with responsibilities shared between the two senior pastors. Worship services are contemporary, simple and elegant with many opportunities for people to connect in the lobby, or throughout the week.
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