Don't Just Send a Resume: How to Find the Right Job in a Local Church

When God says, "Follow me," do you know how?

If you work in Christian ministry, it's likely that at some point in your career God will call you from one church to another. Do you know how to make this transition effectively? Moving can be scary and full of questions: Where do I start the job search process? Which people do I talk with, and what do I send to them? How do I know if my family and I will fit in at a new church? And how do I tell people I'm leaving?

This book is intended to help you answer those questions so that the hiring process goes well. And when the hiring process does go well, a lot of pain can be avoided--for the pastor and the church.

What we pastors need is solid coaching that is theologically informed and practically oriented. We need to know how the gospel empowers us to interview with both humility and confidence. We need anecdotes from real hiring processes, and we need detailed strategies for every step of the way, so we can transition with excellence, protect our families, respect the church, and honor God.

Don't Just Send a Resume also features short contributions by 12 published authors and ministry leaders, including: Chris Brauns, Cara Croft, Dave Harvey, David Mathis, J. A. Medders, Sam Rainer, Chase Replogle, William Vanderbloemen, Kristen Wetherell, Jared C. Wilson, and Jeremy Writebol.

About the Author

Benjamin Vrbicek (M.Div., Covenant Theological Seminary) is a teaching pastor at Community Evangelical Free Church in Harrisburg, PA. Benjamin and his wife, Brooke, have six children. He blogs regularly and has written for Desiring God, The Gospel Coalition, and For The Church. He is the author of Struggle Against Porn and coauthor of More People to Love.

Endorsements

"Filled with wise advice and practical tips . . . I highly recommend it!"
Kevin Kompelien, President of the Evangelical Free Church of America

"I use this book in my seminary course on candidating."
Joel D. Hathaway, Covenant Theological Seminary and author of Finding a Pastor

"I see a great need for Benjamin's book. There is nothing else like it!"
Timothy Brindle, hip-hop recording artist and admissions counselor, Westminster Theological Seminary

"I love the overall gospel foundation . . . and the practical focus that stems out of it."
Gavin Ortlund, pastor and author

"Pick up Benjamin's book, read it, and profit from his hard-won wisdom."
Alex Duke, editor for 9Marks

"A must-read for future seminary graduates or transitioning pastors."
Jen Oshman, former overseas missionary, pastor's wife, and author

"Practical, wise, and well written, I don't know of any other book as valuable during your transitions."
Chase Replogle, pastor and host of the Pastor Writer podcast

"This book will give you biblical guidance and will also build up your soul."
Jeff Robinson, pastor, author, and editor for The Gospel Coalition

"This book is refreshingly practical and ministry-specific-all meat, no grizzle."
Kyle Rohane, editor for CTPastors.com and BuildingChurchLeaders.com

"Anyone looking for a 'job' in a local church will want to read this book, and all of us who already have found one will wish we had it back then. With his happy, humorous, and friendly writer's voice, Benjamin Vrbicek deftly blends the relevant theological truths with truly helpful tips for making the most of the search process from the candidate's end. I keep giving away copies to my friends."
Matthew Mitchell, Pastor of Lanse Evangelical Free Church, Lanse, PA; author of Resisting Gossip

"Don't Just Send a Resume is a needed resource, and it is a helpful resource. It is needed because I simply am not aware of another book tackling this specific issue that is so common in ministry. It is helpful because the author has labored to provide pastoral and practical advice. I can see myself taking all my staff through this book to prepare them for the eventual day they transition from one church to another church."
Scott Zeller, Executive Pastor, Redeemer Church of Dubai, Dubai, U.A.E.

"Benjamin's prose is clean and engaging. I love the overall gospel foundation that undergirds this book and the practical focus that stems out of it. I think it could be helpful to people!"
Gavin Ortlund, PhD, Pastor of First Baptist Church of Ojai, CA; author and popular blogger

"This book is fantastic! I will heartily recommend it to my sphere of influence as required reading. I love Benjamin's writing. In fact, I just finished reading the chapter on money to my wife. We thought it was excellent!"
Keith Krell, PhD, Senior Pastor of Fourth Memorial Church, Spokane, WA; Professor of Biblical Exposition at Moody Bible Institute-Spokane

"Benjamin's book is full of practical wisdom, and I highly recommend it. As a pastor recently looking for a church position, I didn't know what questions to ask in my search. Benjamin provided me with helpful advice and also with the reassurance that I'm not alone in this process--others have navigated these waters before me."
Dustin Tramel, Associate Pastor of Redeemer Church, London, England