Telephone Interviews are Underway

Search and Call has made at least 8 phone calls – probably 9 – by the time you read this. The quality of our candidates is exciting, and it is a thrill to hear their voices. We have put in double shifts during this process, meeting two times a week for 3 hours at a time.

In addition, we have received 5 new profiles at the last minute, a few of which look very promising as well.

We have asked candidates what appeals to them about FCCB and Bellingham. One of the first we called responded, “First Congregational has the healthiest church profile west of the Mississippi.” The candidates have nearly all indicated that they are impressed at how we have weathered the challenges over the last few years, and how we have also managed to nearly pay off our capital improvements at the same time!

In addition, pastors also consistently tell us that they like the questions they ask, even though they are out of the norm. We hear, “Your questions are surprising and interesting” frequently. Usually because the pastor has to think for a while to respond. One of our favorite questions is, “What do you feel passionately curious about?”

Our next step is to check references for all quarter-final candidates, and then we will decide on 2-3 to bring to the Northwest for tours and to preach at a neutral location.

People ask us if pastors might drop out at the last minute like last time. We are doing everything we can to discover intentions, short of asking “How serious are you?” We want our invitation to go to a Lead Pastor who will accept!

So, how about you … what do you feel passionately curious about?

In loving discernment, David Fayram for the Search and Call committee.