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10 Good Reasons Not to Hire Me As Your Next Pastor

Rev. Tom Ott was trying to figure out if he was called to a new church. As a part of his discernment, he decided to send this list to the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Battle Creek.If you value cherished traditions above your desire to reach new people, I’m probably not the right pastor for you.

  1. If you value cherished traditions above your desire to reach new people, I’m probably not the right pastor for you.

  2. If you prefer casual conversation around the coffee urn to the intimate sharing of small groups, I’m probably not the right pastor for you.

  3. If you are willing to trust my interpretation of scripture each week instead of opening your Bibles and wrestling with the word of God in light of your own life experiences, I’m probably not the right pastor for you.

  4. If you believe you can be faithful without developing a disciplined prayer life, I’m probably not the right pastor for you.

  5. If you think ministry is something that happens at church but not at the office, school, home, factory, or playground, I’m probably not the right pastor for you.

  6. If you are looking for someone to take care of you instead of equipping you for the work of ministry, I’m probably not the right pastor for you.

  7. If the phrase, “We’ve never done it that way before” causes you to pause instead of laugh, I’m probably not the right pastor for you.

  8. If the question, “Will this help us reach new people?” isn’t among the first questions you ask in making any major decision, I’m probably not the right pastor for you.

  9. If you think the gospel is more about personal salvation than social transformation, I’m probably not the right pastor for you.

  10. If solemnity is more important than laughter in your church, I’m probably not the right pastor for you.

Postscript: The church called Tom, and he accepted.

Tom Ott has been serving in parish ministry since 1981 and currently lives with his wife Patrice in Battle Creek, MI where he now serves as the pastor of the First Congregational United Church of Christ. In addition to parish ministry, he has worked as a Limited Licensed Psychologist and substance abuse counselor in a community mental health agency.