Effective PNC's are honest. Which means it is vital that congregations elect thoughtful leaders who can answer questions like these:

• In your experience, what are the best (and worst) things about this church?

• In your opinion, what are the best (and worst) qualities about the former pastor?

• What would you say are the most memorable qualities about other former pastors of this church?

• Describe the nature of difficult conflicts in the history of the church.

• Describe why the previous pastor left. What would he/she say was the greatest challenge in pastoring this church?

• Describe the interim season of ministry at this church.

• What portion of the church would you say is happy with the Mission Study? What demographic of the church is least happy with the findings in the Mission Study? Why?

• How are staffing decisions made in the church? What positions have been recently hired? Which staff positions have made the most enduring impact on the life of this congregation?

• If  the new pastor wanted to make a change in the worship/education/youth ministry, would that be easy or difficult? What would be the appropriate process to do so, in your opinion?

• What is the most contentious congregational meeting or setting you can remember? What was the disagreement about? How was the issue settled?

• Describe the relationship of this church with the Presbytery or other mid council body.

• Has your church been in the news or done something noteworthy recently?