Determine how a slate of candidates to serve on the Pastor Nominating Committee will be selected. The current nominating committee of congregation may be tasked with this role. The session ruling elders may also play a role. Ultimately the congregation will elect and commission the PNC.

Establish the criteria for nomination and the number of candidates you plan to commission. The size of a PNC depends on the size of the congregation.

Criteria to consider:

• An appropriate mix of newer and older members, possibly a non-member

• A representative mix of ages, genders, ministry involvement

• Technological expertise and social media skills can be helpful

• Shall current staff and their spouses be eligible or not?

• Shall more than one member of session serve?

• Shall spouses of session members be eligible or not?

• Shall a member of the Personnel Committee or other committee serve?

• Shall a member of the Mission Study/Long Range Planning Committee serve?

• Shall a member of the most recent PNC be eligible or not?

It can be helpful to name attributes:

• Ability to keep confidentiality

• Biblically grounded

• Candid humility, willing to speak his/her mind

• Dedicated to the church as a whole

• Evidence of spiritual growth and discernment

• Faithfulness to mission study process and results

• General knowledge of our faith tradition (evangelical, reformed, orthodox, other)

• Know when to speak, when to listen

• Open-mindedness to ideas

• Prayerful attitude

• Trustworthy leader

Share the criteria and attributes with the congregation. If possible, seek to have the criteria and attributes ratified prior to the election of the PNC.