Nobody's looking for a puppeteer in today's wintry economic climate.

My most recent book acquisition is When the Word Leads Your Pastoral Search: Biblical Principles and Practices to Guide Your Search, by Chris Brauns. (N.B. The title says "Word," not "World." Nuff said.)

Ideally, a church wouldn't need this book for many years, as the pastor puts down roots and commits, enjoying decades of service to Christ & His people. But, we keeps it real, so ... a book like this is more than necessary since longevity is rare.

In fact, if the search process is successful (i.e., a good fit is found), then the church will have little to no experience on which to lean for the next pastor, since the pastor stayed awhile. Conversely, the churches that might get proficient at the pastoral search due to frequency, may be suffering from not doing it well (i.e., a good fit is not found).

I intend to post a review of When the Word Leads Your Pastoral Search upon completion, but to increase awareness of such a resource in the Church and to whet your appetite ...

10 Common Mistakes Churches Make Looking for a Pastor, each of which contains elaboration in the book:

1. Not choosing the right people for the pastoral search committee.
2. Prayerlessness.
3. Being people-centered rather than Word-centered.
4. Lack of follow-through and due-diligence by the pastoral search committee.
5. Impatience that leads to the wrong decision.
6. Failure to properly administrate the pastoral search.
7. Inadequate communication.
8. Failure to adequately budget for the pastoral search.
9. Allowing the experience with the previous pastor to direct the calling of the next pastor.
10. Spending too much time trying to call pastors who are not "reasonably gettable."

• Learn more about When the Word Leads Your Pastoral Search, including where to purchase.
• Read endorsements.
• Buy Brauns' Unpacking Forgiveness: Biblical Answers for Complex Questions and Deep Wounds.