Finding the right pastor is critical in the life of a church. But most churches rely on the inexperienced and sometimes blinded pulpit committees, which often gamble with the selection of their candidates because they usually don’t have a clear understanding of biblical guidelines for choosing a pastor.

So how does a church find the right man for its pulpit? This book is designed to assist pastoral search committees by discussing the issues that surround six fundamental questions: Can the man preach effectively? What else should he do as pastor? Is he qualified? Is he theologically sound? Does his practical theology match his written theology? And how can a church find this man? Search committee members, church leaders, pastors who desire to keep the right balance between preaching and other shepherding responsibilities, and all who want to learn more about the role of a pastor will be helped by the clarity Brian Biedebach brings to this subject.

Author  Originally from Seal Beach, CA, Brian Biedebach is a graduate of Taylor University in Upland, IN (B.A., Biblical Literature) and of The Master’s Seminary in Los Angeles, CA (M.Div., D.Min.). He and his wife, Anita, have four children (Ami, Bradley, Benjamin, and Allison). For several years, Brian worked for an international para-church organization. While serving in Africa, the weak condition of the local church gave Brian a burden for church planting and church strengthening. Since 1999, Brian has been a full-time pastor and he is currently teaching at African Bible College as well as helping to establish an international church in Lilongwe, Malawi.

Endorsements  "Perhaps no process in all of church life is more fraught with pitfalls and hazards than the task of choosing a new pastor. Pastoral search committees often consist of marginally-equipped lay people who are utterly inexperienced when it comes to examining a pastor and evaluating his giftedness. In many cases, members of search committees themselves could not pass the most elementary doctrinal exam, and they are often totally clueless about how to choose a pastor to lead and feed the flock. What to Look for in a Pastor is filled with sound advice and solid help for churches seeking pastors. Brian Biedebach’s book fills a void that has needed to be addressed for a very long time. I’m very grateful to DayOne for publishing this book." —Phil Johnson, Grace to you, USA

“Brian has written a resource that will be helpful for churches for years to come.” —John MacArthur, Pastor-Teacher, Grace Community Church, Sun Valley, California

"The time when a church needs its best and most biblical discernment is when choosing a new pastor. But the question is how does a church without pastoral leadership find pastoral leadership? Brian Biedebach has answered this in What to Look for in a Pastor: A Guide For Pastoral Search Committees. Church leadership boards, search committees, and congregants will find this resource invaluable in providing needed guidance on this topic. I know of no other volume as saturated with biblical wisdom for finding a pastor. It will not only help a church find the right kind of pastor, but will help them know how to care for the one who is called to care for them." —Rick Holland, Executive Pastor, Grace Community Church

"I've just come out of a pulpit selection process in which I have been quizzed and questioned by people who knew what their church believed and were anxious to know whether what I believe measured up to their doctrinal position. They pulled no punches as they probed my answers, listened to sermons, and read my responses in order to make sure there was unity in the truth. Would that this was always the way it was but I can assure you that they are the exception rather than the rule. In other words their process is so unlike the 'beauty pageant' that often passes for pulpit selection in many 'evangelical' churches today.Brian's work will serve the churches by providing a model of how the enormous responsibility of seeking an undershepherd of the flock of God should be carried out. With a faithfulness to Scripture and a freshness of style, 'What to look for in a Pastor' hits the proverbial nail on the head. May the Chief Shepherd use it for His glory and His church's good." —Liam Goligher