Before You Go: A Few Sneaky-Good Questions Every Minister Must Answer Before Moving to a New Church [Kindle Edition]

Wade Hodges (Author)

Book Description

Who should read Before You Go?

1. All Minister/Pastor types who are thinking about changing churches.
While written from the perspective a Lead Pastor, it will also be a helpful read for ministers filling other staff roles.


2. Members of search teams looking to improve their search process.
It will give search teams insights into what candidates may be thinking throughout the process, as well as some deeper questions to explore during the interview.


3. Ministers who have recently moved to a new church.
Much of what is in the book applies to the first year of ministry at a new church too.


4. Church leaders: Elders, Deacons, Staff, Ministry Leaders, and Volunteers.
Staff transitions are a critical aspect of church life. Every church leader needs to be aware of the behind-the-scenes complexities described in Before You Go.


5. Anyone making a career transition.
Many of the principles in this book apply to other professions and organizations.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"All seminary students need to read this."
-Scot McKnight

"I consider this must reading for ministers--whether they are leaving or not."
-Mike Cope

"It's fantastic. Wade takes the posture of asking great questions that allow you and the church you are considering employment with to unearth assumptions you both carry about each other. You won't try to answer all the questions he asks, but the wise pastor will mine this book for questions that fit their circumstances and process. There is absolutely no reason why every pastoral candidate (and church searching) shouldn't pick up a copy of this book and let it be a companion to their process."
-Mark Riddle

"I'm no preacher; just an elder -- and so the book is kind of a backward read for me. It doesn't so much speak to my needs as the needs of those I interview. And that's a very good thing. The book helps me understand where the interviewee is coming from. It might even help me help him avoid making a mistake."
-Jay Guin

"Wade Hodges is one of the toughest and most introspective ministers I've ever known. His ministry proverbs are forged in the furnace of real-life ministry, hammered into usable wisdom by his extraordinary intellect, and sharpened to penetrate the soul through his wit and candor. Every church board and minister search team should read Wade's book twice; every minister should read it once each year."
-Jon Mullican

From the Author

Imagine this scenario:

You have decided that you've done everything you can do at your current church and it's time to move on to a new one. In fact, you've completed a weekend interview with a prospective church and they've offered you the job. You're excited, but you haven't officially said "yes" yet.

Later that day you have a coffee meeting with me on your calendar. You come into Starbucks and begin to tell me about your new opportunity. I respond by asking you a few questions about the new church, the interview process, and your mindset as you prepare for a new ministry.

My questions aren't meant to take away your excitement or talk you out of taking the job. Instead, they're meant to help you clarify your thinking about the opportunity before you. Maybe they'll cause you to ask a few more questions of the search team or to go off to a quiet place where you can reflect on what you're moving toward and what you're moving away from.

More than anything, I'll challenge you to make sure you've asked and answered the best possible questions.

This book is not for ministers only. I hope search teams and Elder boards will read it as well. I believe it will fund better conversations and lead to deeper levels of discernment among all involved in a minister search process.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• File Size: 146 KB
• Print Length: 63 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B0055OLHUI
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Not Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #161,177 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
  • #88 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Nonfiction > Religion & Spirituality > Christianity > Clergy > Preaching

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Practical Resource with Spirit emphasis June 23, 2011

By Michael Mercer

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

If you have ever thought about or tried leaving from one church as a minister to another, then you will want to read and memorize Wade Hodges' new e-book, Before You Go: A few sneaky-good questions every minister must answer before moving to a new church. Wade gives his audience a practical guide without watering down the real issues that lay behind the questions and with reliance upon the Holy Spirit. After reading this book you should be truly equipped to make wise discernments about leaving, arriving, and interviewing. Knowing these few concepts can take the frustration and anxiety out of transition and replace it with joy and excitement. No one wants to dread transitions, we just do. However, Hodges gives us room to lay down the dread and pick up the hope of renewal. What I love is that as you read this book you realize mistakes you have made in the past, you realize present realities, and you can envision a future worth pursuing. Thank you Wade for this resource and your willingness to share your experiences and your heart.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great read should be a requirement for all young Preachers May 1, 2013

By Mikeal R. Hughes

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I had put a post on Facebook about this exact subject. Having preached now for 30+ years I find Facebook is great for opinions and ideas. A Preacher recommended this book. I bought the Kindle version. I felt like Elijah thinking I was the only one who had been through these problems. Was good to read someone else's insight. Good on questions to ask when on the "bloody" interview. I would recommend this book to any Preacher.

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent and enjoyable! January 25, 2013

By R. Wishum

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Hodges provides insightful and though-provoking guidance for that frightening journey of exploring new ministry opportunities - and old ones. And, he does it with a great sense of humor. This is a very practical, easy to read guide to evaluating potential ministry jobs and whether they are right for you. Do yourself a favor and read this "before you go."

More About the Author

Wade loves getting to use both sides of his brain almost every day as he writes books, speaks to audiences across the country, and coaches others toward excellence. He's a Certified Level One CrossFit Trainer. He loves to cook red meat, listen to audio books, and drink coffee.

He lives in Dallas, Texas.

You can read his blog at www.wadehodges.com.