Resources for Conducting Pastoral Reviews in QB Churches

Some Important Purposes of a Pastoral Review are:

1. To encourage a pastor and provide positive feedback.
2. To evaluate the effectiveness of the ministry of a pastor.
3. To improve the functioning and ministry of a pastor.
4. To hear how a pastor is finding their ministry and the resources the church offers.
5. To evaluate the effectiveness of the church’s support of the pastor and bring improvement.
6. To assist a pastor in setting new pastoral ministry goals. 7. To identify training and development needs of the pastor.

There are at least three main types of Reviews.

1. A mini-Review in which the church leadership (or its representatives) checks on a new pastor after 3 to 6 months of ministry with a view to encouraging them and working through any problems.
2. An annual Review (minor Review) in which feedback is sought from the pastor and church leadership with a view to assist the development of the pastor and the church.
3. A major Review (possibly every 3 to 5 years) in which feedback is sought from a wide range of people with a view to both assisting the development of the pastor and the church and deciding whether the pastor should be recalled.

This document is available in two formats:

1. PDF format:

Click to download the “Conducting Pastoral Reviews” Document – .PDF 

2. Word format:

Click to download the “Conducting Pastoral Reviews” Document – .WORD 

Pastoral Transitions
Assisting local QB churches in finding a new pastor

(What do we do now? Our pastor has resigned or given notice of resignation).

We have some suggestions, in the form of a manual/workbook, to assist local church leaders in developing a healthy process. At the outset we want to emphasise highly important elements.

1. This is a spiritual process and not simply one of finding another pastoral employee.
2. Decisions made (in whatever process is used) will impact the congregation and pastor (and family) long-term.
3. Anxiety is quite normal in an “in-between” period. As the leaders and congregation move healthily through transition, feelings of anxiety can be replaced with ones of refreshing and exciting anticipation.
4. Seeking the Lord through praying is central.
5. The church will need to answer the question, “Where do we discern God is calling us in the next 5 years?”

Click to download the “Pastoral Transitions” Document

Equipping Church Leaders

We are working hard at equipping and resourcing pastors in the QB Movement. This is essential. We need pastoral leaders who are well trained and well supported in our Movement. I think we are doing this well. In fact, in these days of the Coronavirus with all the creative developments that are emerging, my concern is that some pastors may even be feeling that they are overwhelmed with resources and ideas.

But we are not doing nearly as good a job in resourcing other church leaders (apart from administrators). They often have little help in fulfilling their important calling. This is an issue that we are committed to addressing. So now every second month our ReM Resources will be targeted towards church leaders.

Of course, church leaders have many different roles and needs. Some are elders, some lead small groups, some lead worship, and others support men’s and women’s ministries. Because the needs of these leaders are quite diverse, we will try to offer a wide range of resources so they can choose those that are appropriate and helpful.

By John Sweetman
Interim Director of the QB Movement

Regional Ministers' Resources