Theological Questions to Ask Pastoral Candidate
Essential questions to help you evaluate pastoral candidates, understand their theological beliefs, and determine if they're the right fit for your congregation.
1What's your understanding of the Bible and how do you approach biblical interpretation?
Click to see why this works
What's your understanding of the Bible and how do you approach biblical interpretation?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Reveals biblical foundation and helps you understand how the candidate views the Bible and approaches biblical interpretation and teaching.
2What's your view of God and how do you understand the Trinity?
Click to see why this works
What's your view of God and how do you understand the Trinity?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Shows theological foundation and helps you understand the candidate's view of God and their understanding of the Trinity.
3What's your understanding of salvation and how do you explain it to others?
Click to see why this works
What's your understanding of salvation and how do you explain it to others?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Reveals soteriological beliefs and helps you understand how the candidate views salvation and explains it to others.
4What's your view of Jesus Christ and his role in salvation?
Click to see why this works
What's your view of Jesus Christ and his role in salvation?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Shows christological beliefs and helps you understand the candidate's view of Jesus Christ and his role in salvation.
5What's your understanding of the Holy Spirit and his work in the church?
Click to see why this works
What's your understanding of the Holy Spirit and his work in the church?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Reveals pneumatological beliefs and helps you understand the candidate's view of the Holy Spirit and his work in the church.
6What's your view of the church and its purpose in the world?
Click to see why this works
What's your view of the church and its purpose in the world?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Shows ecclesiological beliefs and helps you understand the candidate's view of the church and its purpose in the world.
7What's your understanding of sin and how do you address it in ministry?
Click to see why this works
What's your understanding of sin and how do you address it in ministry?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Reveals hamartiological beliefs and helps you understand how the candidate views sin and addresses it in ministry.
8What's your view of prayer and how do you practice it in your life?
Click to see why this works
What's your view of prayer and how do you practice it in your life?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Shows prayer beliefs and helps you understand the candidate's view of prayer and how they practice it in their personal life.
9What's your understanding of worship and how do you approach it?
Click to see why this works
What's your understanding of worship and how do you approach it?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Reveals worship beliefs and helps you understand the candidate's view of worship and how they approach it in ministry.
10What's your view of evangelism and how do you practice it?
Click to see why this works
What's your view of evangelism and how do you practice it?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Shows evangelistic beliefs and helps you understand the candidate's view of evangelism and how they practice it in ministry.
11What's your understanding of discipleship and how do you approach it?
Click to see why this works
What's your understanding of discipleship and how do you approach it?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Reveals discipleship beliefs and helps you understand the candidate's view of discipleship and how they approach it in ministry.
12What's your view of social justice and how do you address it in ministry?
Click to see why this works
What's your view of social justice and how do you address it in ministry?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Shows social justice beliefs and helps you understand the candidate's view of social justice and how they address it in ministry.
13What's your understanding of eschatology and end times?
Click to see why this works
What's your understanding of eschatology and end times?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Reveals eschatological beliefs and helps you understand the candidate's view of eschatology and end times.
14What's your view of other denominations and how do you relate to them?
Click to see why this works
What's your view of other denominations and how do you relate to them?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Shows ecumenical beliefs and helps you understand the candidate's view of other denominations and how they relate to them.
15What's your understanding of marriage and family in ministry?
Click to see why this works
What's your understanding of marriage and family in ministry?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Reveals marriage and family beliefs and helps you understand the candidate's view of marriage and family in ministry.
16What's your view of women in ministry and leadership?
Click to see why this works
What's your view of women in ministry and leadership?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Shows gender beliefs and helps you understand the candidate's view of women in ministry and leadership roles.
17What's your understanding of suffering and how do you address it in ministry?
Click to see why this works
What's your understanding of suffering and how do you address it in ministry?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Reveals suffering beliefs and helps you understand how the candidate views suffering and addresses it in ministry.
18What's your view of the sacraments and how do you practice them?
Click to see why this works
What's your view of the sacraments and how do you practice them?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Shows sacramental beliefs and helps you understand the candidate's view of the sacraments and how they practice them.
19What's your understanding of the role of the pastor and how do you fulfill it?
Click to see why this works
What's your understanding of the role of the pastor and how do you fulfill it?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Reveals pastoral beliefs and helps you understand the candidate's view of the pastor's role and how they fulfill it.
20What's your view of the future of the church and how do you plan to lead it?
Click to see why this works
What's your view of the future of the church and how do you plan to lead it?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Shows future vision and helps you understand the candidate's view of the future of the church and how they plan to lead it.
Best Practices for Pastoral Candidate Evaluation
Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.
Best Practices
Focus on Core Theological Beliefs
Ask questions that help you understand the candidate's core theological beliefs and how they align with your congregation's beliefs.
Assess Ministry Approach
Ask about their approach to ministry, worship, and pastoral care to understand how they would serve your congregation.
Evaluate Leadership and Vision
Ask about their leadership style, vision for the church, and how they plan to lead and serve the congregation.
Question Sequences
The Core Theological Beliefs Sequence
The Ministry Approach Sequence
Common Pitfalls
Don't Focus Only on Personality
While personality matters, focus on theological beliefs, ministry approach, and how they align with your congregation's values and beliefs.
Don't Ignore the Theological Questions
Ask about core theological beliefs and how they approach biblical interpretation. These are crucial for understanding their theological foundation.
Don't Skip the Ministry Approach Questions
Ask about their approach to ministry, worship, and pastoral care. Understanding how they would serve your congregation is crucial.