Find Your Next Pastor

Your Primary Gateway to Qualified Candidates

The Baptist General Convention of Texas Minister Connection serves as the central hub for connecting churches with pastoral candidates throughout our state and beyond.
 

Platform Benefits:

• Extensive Candidate Database: Access hundreds of qualified pastors actively seeking new ministry opportunities
• Advanced Matching System: Search filters help identify candidates who match your specific church profile and needs
• Verified Credentials: All candidates provide education, experience, and reference information for initial screening
• Direct Communication Tools: Secure messaging system for initial contact and ongoing candidate communication
• Application Management: Streamlined process for receiving and organizing candidate applications
• Privacy Protection: Confidential search options protect both churches and candidates during transition
   

Getting Started with Minister Connection:

• Create Church Profile: Upload your comprehensive church information and pastoral requirements
• Post Your Position: Detailed job posting reaches qualified candidates across denominational networks
• Search the Database: Proactively identify and contact promising candidates who match your criteria
• Manage Applications: Use platform tools to organize, evaluate, and track candidate progress
• Facilitate Communication: Secure platform enables appropriate candidate interaction throughout your process
   

Platform Access: Contact Dr. Aaron Summers at (214) 828-5263 for assistance with Minister Connection setup and optimization.
 

Connecting Through Established Ministry Relationships

Our deep relationships throughout Texas Baptist life and beyond provide access to candidates who may not be actively searching but are open to God's leading toward new ministry opportunities.
 

Seminary Partnerships:

• George W. Truett Theological Seminary (Baylor University): Direct connection with graduating students and recent alumni
• B.H. Carroll Theological Institute: Access to pastor-scholars and experienced ministry leaders
• Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary: Established relationships with placement offices and faculty recommendations
• Additional SBC Seminaries: Network connections throughout Southern Baptist theological education
   

Associational Networks:

• Directors of Missions: Recommendations from AMS/DOM leaders who know both churches and pastors intimately
• Area Pastoral Networks: Connections with pastors who may know quality candidates seeking transitions
• Church Planting Networks: Access to experienced pastors interested in revitalization or new challenges
• Retirement Transition Networks: Quality interim and transitional pastors for specialized needs
   

Denominational Leadership Connections:

• BGCT Staff Recommendations: Area representatives and ministry consultants with extensive pastoral networks
• State Convention Leadership: Connections through Texas Baptist cooperative ministry relationships
• Institutional Networks: University, hospital, and ministry organization chaplains transitioning to local church ministry
• International Connections: Baptist missionaries and international workers returning to stateside ministry
   

Targeted Connections for Unique Church Contexts

Different churches require different approaches to pastoral placement. We provide specialized services that match placement strategies to church contexts and needs.
 

Rural and Small Church Placement:

• Bi-Vocational Pastor Networks: Connecting with pastors experienced in part-time ministry contexts
• Seminary Student Placement: Recent graduates seeking first pastoral opportunities in smaller church settings
• Retirement Area Pastors: Experienced ministers relocating to rural areas who desire continued ministry involvement
• Regional Network Access: Connecting with pastors familiar with rural ministry challenges and opportunities
   

Urban and Multi-Cultural Placement:

• Diverse Candidate Networks: Access to pastors with cross-cultural ministry experience and language capabilities
• Church Planting Experience: Pastors with urban ministry and community engagement backgrounds
• Multi-Staff Experience: Candidates experienced in complex organizational leadership and team ministry
• Community Partnership Background: Pastors skilled in building relationships across diverse community networks
   

Revitalization and Renewal Placement:

• Turnaround Experience: Pastors with demonstrated success in leading declining churches toward renewal
• Change Management Skills: Leaders experienced in guiding congregations through necessary transitions
• Church Health Expertise: Pastors trained in organizational development and congregational renewal
• Conflict Resolution Experience: Leaders skilled in healing churches recovering from division or crisis
   

Transitional and Interim Placement:

• Intentional Interim Specialists: Pastors trained in the Five Focus Points of transitional ministry
• Crisis Intervention Experience: Leaders equipped to guide churches through emergency pastoral transitions
• Assessment and Renewal Expertise: Interim pastors skilled in preparing churches for long-term pastoral leadership
• Standard Interim Networks: Quality pastors available for traditional interim ministry arrangements
   

Ensuring Your Church is Ready to Connect

Before initiating pastoral connections, we assess your church's readiness for the search process and help complete any necessary preparation work.
 

Readiness Evaluation:

• Church Profile Completion: Ensuring accurate, honest presentation of your congregation and context
• Pastor Profile Development: Clear definition of pastoral qualifications and expectations based on church needs
• Governance Review: Confirming policies and procedures support healthy pastoral relationships
• Search Committee Training: Equipping your team with skills needed for effective candidate evaluation
• Congregation Preparation: Ensuring your church understands and supports the search process

Casting Appropriate Networks for Your Context

Based on your church profile and pastoral requirements, we develop a targeted sourcing strategy that maximizes your connection with qualified candidates.
 

Sourcing Strategy Development:

• Platform Optimization: Maximizing your visibility and appeal through Minister Connection and other databases
• Network Activation: Engaging appropriate denominational and personal networks for candidate recommendations
• Direct Recruiting: Proactively identifying and approaching candidates who match your specific requirements
• Timeline Coordination: Managing candidate sourcing timeline to align with your church's search schedule
• Quality Focus: Emphasizing candidate quality over quantity to ensure meaningful connections

Introducing Churches and Candidates Appropriately

We facilitate initial connections between churches and candidates in ways that respect both parties' needs and maintain appropriate confidentiality.
 

Connection Management:

• Initial Screening: Preliminary evaluation to ensure basic alignment before formal introductions
• Introduction Coordination: Professional presentation of church and candidate to each other
• Communication Support: Guidance for early interactions and information exchange
• Process Navigation: Helping both parties understand expectations and next steps
• Relationship Development: Supporting the progression from initial contact through formal evaluation
   

Partnership Throughout Your Search Journey

Our support continues throughout your search process, providing guidance and assistance as relationships develop and decisions emerge.
 

Continued Partnership:

• Evaluation Guidance: Support for candidate assessment and decision-making processes
• Reference Check Assistance: Help with conducting thorough, appropriate reference conversations
• Negotiation Support: Guidance for pastoral covenant development and agreement finalization
• Transition Planning: Assistance with installation, welcome, and early ministry development
• Follow-Up Care: Check-ins during the first year to ensure healthy pastoral relationship development
   

Biblical and Practical Factors in Effective Matches

Successful pastor-church connections require more than mutual attraction - they demand alignment in calling, vision, and practical compatibility.
 

Spiritual Alignment Factors:

• Shared Calling: Both church and pastor sense God's direction toward partnership
• Theological Compatibility: Agreement on essential biblical doctrines and ministry philosophy
• Mission Alignment: Shared understanding of the church's purpose and calling in its community
• Vision Compatibility: Complementary perspectives on the church's future direction and potential
• Spiritual Chemistry: Genuine spiritual connection and mutual respect between pastor and congregation
   

Practical Compatibility Elements:

• Cultural Fit: Pastor's personality and ministry style match congregation's preferences and needs
• Experience Alignment: Pastor's background and skills match the church's current challenges and opportunities
• Family Considerations: Appropriate fit between pastoral family needs and church/community context
• Financial Sustainability: Compensation package meets pastoral family needs while remaining within church budget
• Geographic Suitability: Location and community context work well for pastoral family long-term
   

Helping Connections Become Lasting Partnerships

Our goal extends beyond successful placement to supporting long-term, fruitful ministry relationships that honor God and advance His kingdom.
 

Transition Support Elements:

• Installation Planning: Helping churches celebrate and formally establish new pastoral relationships
• Early Integration Support: Guidance for the first 90 days when patterns and expectations are established
• Congregation Preparation: Helping churches adjust to new leadership styles and ministry approaches
• Pastor Support: Resources and encouragement for pastors beginning ministry in new contexts
• Relationship Health Monitoring: Check-ins to ensure healthy development and address concerns early