Did This Candidate Ask You to Provide This Recommendation?

Candidate’s name
Candidate is applying for
Date

•Did this candidate ask you to provide this recommendation?

•Is this candidate current with required clearances, including Boundaries and Safe Sanctuaries?

•Has this candidate submitted paperwork in a timely manner?

•n/a Are Vital Signs current for the churches served by this candidate? What do the Vital Signs indicate to you?

•n/a Do the churches being served by this candidate pay SoM in full? If not, how is the pastor leading the church to do so?

These questions will require some narrative answers from the DS. In particular, please note specific evidences for each of these areas.

•Has this candidate articulated a strong sense of call?

•What is your experience with this candidate in leading worship and preaching? Was it dynamic? Was there positive energy?

•What do you know of this candidate’s ability to deliver effective pastoral care?

•How has this candidate reached people for Christ? What capacity does the candidate have to reach people for Christ?

•How has this candidate connected the church with the community in which he or she is serving?

•In what ways have you seen this candidate’s willingness to strive for excellence in their work?

•In what ways does this candidate display his or her desire to be connectional?

•In what ways have you experienced this candidate’s ability to learn from mistakes and self evaluate?

•How have you experienced this candidate deal with conflict?

•Do you know, does this candidate practice and teach tithing and biblical stewardship?

•In what ways have you experienced this candidate to be flexible and contextual in ministry?

•How does this candidate (work with the elder/local pastor to) raise, train, equip, and empower leaders for ministry?

•Is this candidate (supporting the elder/local pastor in) leading the congregation in a way that transforms the congregation?If so, in what ways is it being transformed?

•In what ways is this candidate engaged in social transformation, mission, and service of their Church, community, and world?

1. Unacceptable: Significant improvement is needed
2. Fair: Overall effectiveness is below standard. Additional training, experience and/or personal effort is needed.
3. Good: Performance is satisfactory in light of setting, goals, and skills needed.
4. Excellent: Performance is above what would be commonly expected.
5. Outstanding: Exceptional results on a sustained basis. Extremely high quality.

Using the above scale, how would you rate the candidate on the following characteristics, traits, and spiritual practice?

•Evidences personal salvation through Jesus Christ and the indwelling of the God’s Holy Spirit

•Integrity

•ability to create positive change

•positive attitude and spirit

•humility

•ability to develop and empower others

•ability to (engage the vision that has been cast by the elder/local pastor) and bring others along

•good self-discipline (including self-care and Spiritual Discipline)

•ability to cooperate in ministry as a staff member

•grace

•kindness

•generosity

•passion for ministry, God’s love, and for God’s people

•emotional intelligence

These final questions are to give the DS an opportunity to address any issues or concerns about this candidate and to name any additional evidences of effectiveness.

•Is this candidate ready to take the next step in the ordination process? Are there concerns that you have regarding this candidate?

•Are there other evidences of effectiveness evidenced by this candidate that you would like to share?

•Overall, has this candidate displayed convincing evidence of effectiveness? Do you recommend that this candidate is ready to take the next step in the ordination process based on his/ her effectiveness?