OCC Ministry Placement Resource Manual

Ministry Placement Resource Manual, Second Edition Authors Krystin Stroud Robert G. Witte, Jr. Unpublished work Š 2015 Ozark Christian College ALL RIGHTS RESERVED No part of this book may be reproduced without permission from the Ministry Center of Ozark Christian College. Ozark Christian College Ministry Center 1111 North Main Street Joplin, MO 64801 417.626.1234 ministry.center@occ.edu www.occ.edu Printed in the United States of America Cover Design Mandie Tepe Special thanks to our editors Lyndsey Deyoe Caitlin Mueller Jessica Scheuermann Amy Storms Lisa White

The Ministry Center Casteel Administration Building 1111 North Main Street 417.626.1234 Joplin, MO 64801

Bob Witte, Director witte.bob@occ.edu - ext. 2058 Krystin Stroud, Administrative Assistant stroud.krystin@occ.edu - ext. 2019

Dear Student, The Ministry Center of Ozark Christian College is made up of three primary components: Christian Service, Internships, and Placement. Our goals are to connect students with places to serve, help them find quality internships, and advise them through the job hunting, application, and hiring process. The overall mission of our department is to provide progressive, professional ministry assistance as students train for Christian service throughout their higher biblical education. This particular resource manual will focus on the placement component of the Ministry Center. When it comes to finding the right ministry for your God-given gifts and passions, we are here to help! Whether you are starting from scratch on your resume, coming in for a mock interview, needing to know what not to wear to an interview, or even needing to know how to begin job searching, this resource manual will give you detailed answers to these questions and much more. We want you to know our office is a friendly and welcoming environment. No question is silly to us. When you stop by, that shows us you care about doing things the right way while seeking God’s wisdom through it all. We want to help you realize what your strengths are, narrow down your options to the best for you, and give you the tools you need to stand out as an applicant. Sincerely, Your Ministry Center Team

Bob Witte

Krystin Stroud

MINISTRY SEARCH TIMELINE: Your Senior Year Fall Semester 

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Attend OCC events to network. Set up coffee meetings, mingle, and make new connections: o Community Volunteer Expo (August) o Get-a-Way (September) o Leadership Conference (September) o The Event (November) Come to the Ministry Center and talk with us about your interests, ideas, and passions. o Fill out a Ministry Interest form Seek ministry-related experience through part-time jobs, internships, and Christian service. Go to occ.edu/ministryopenings and check frequently for new ministry openings posted. Develop a resume: o Go through steps and advice given in this resource book (see pp. 12-23). o Visit the Ministry Center for assistance or review of a current resume. o Plan ahead. It may take a few visits/revisions to develop a solid resume. o Update it throughout the school year and for each different ministry position.

Christmas Break     

Join LinkedIn and other online social network groups. Review your own personal accounts and remove things you would not want potential employers to see (including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.). Begin personal networking. Your friends, professors, ministers/church staff may know of a ministry opening, so let them know your plans. Begin to identify and request letters from references (see pp. 29-30). Research churches/organizations that interest you. Find out who is hiring, and find churches/organizations with the type of ministry that are a good match for your gifts and abilities.

Spring Semester 

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Attend OCC events to network. Set up coffee meetings, mingle, and make new connections: o Preaching and Teaching Convention (February) o Women’s Conference (April) o Deeper Life (April) Complete job applications (see p. 10). Develop a schedule to keep you on track. Once you hear of a job opening: o Update your cover letter and resume within a day. o Have someone read and double check for typos as soon as possible. o Mail, email, and deliver resume within the same week. Research the ministry before the interview (see p. 31). Practice answering interview questions—even record yourself and watch it (see p. 32), or visit the Ministry Center for a mock interview. Write and send thank you notes immediately following interviews. Carefully consider job offers. Discuss with mentors, professors, family, and minister. No offers yet? Continue to utilize the Ministry Center. We’re here to help!

Contents Part I DISCOVER Recognize Your Gifts...................................................................................................... 1 What Kind of Job Can You Do with Your Degree? .......................................................... 2 Your Ministry Vocation .................................................................................................... 5 Your Network.................................................................................................................. 7 Visualize Your Connections ................................................................................ 8 Part II PREPARE Getting Ready to Apply ..................................................................................................10 Applying for the Job You’re Not “Qualified” For ..................................................11 Writing Your Resume ....................................................................................................12 Q&A ...................................................................................................................12 12 Ways to Make Your Resume Stand Out ........................................................13 Resume Checklist ..............................................................................................14 Ministry Resume Thesaurus ..............................................................................15 Examples ...........................................................................................................17 Writing Your Cover Letter ..............................................................................................24 13 Pointers for Cover Letters .............................................................................24 Basic Cover Letter Outline .................................................................................25 Examples ...........................................................................................................26

Choosing Your References............................................................................................29 10 Reference Tips..............................................................................................29 Example .............................................................................................................30 Part III GO Before the Interview.......................................................................................................31 Know the Ministry & Know Yourself ...................................................................31 Practice Questions .............................................................................................32 Final Thoughts Before the Interview ...................................................................33 Dress and Appearance ......................................................................................34 During the Interview.......................................................................................................35 Dos & Don’ts ......................................................................................................35 Phone/Skype Interviews.....................................................................................36 After the Interview .........................................................................................................37 Your First Week on the Job ...........................................................................................38 Graduate Schools and Seminaries ................................................................................39 Ministry Openings & Other Resources ...........................................................................40 Notes .............................................................................................................................41 Bibliography ..................................................................................................................43

DISCOVER: Recognize Your Gifts God has given each of us spiritual gifts and abilities that He wants us to use for His glory. Sometimes it is difficult to figure out what those gifts are. Below are a few questions and resources to help you recognize and reconnect with your gifts and abilities. God not only wants us to know our spiritual gifts, but He expects us to grow in them each day. Reflect back on the last couple of years to help you recognize your gifts. 1. Where did you primarily volunteer? ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ 2. What tasks did you do? ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ 3. What skills did you use? ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ 4. Could you see yourself working full-time in any of those areas? ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ 5. Where do you wish you would have spent more time volunteering? ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ 6. What skills would you like to take more advantage of? ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________

Look furtherďƒ Free online Spiritual Gifts Analysis: www.gifts.churchgrowth.org Free online Myers-Briggs based personality test: www.16personalities.com 1

DISCOVER: What Kind of Job Can You Do with Your Degree? In college, choosing a degree and a major can be a tough decision. You may be uncertain when trying to think through the ministries you can actually do with each degree. You may think your only options are to become a preacher or a student minister. Don’t get us wrong—these are both very honorable ministry fields to work in, but the list doesn’t stop there! Maybe working in a church setting is exactly what God’s calling you to, or maybe it’s not. Have you ever thought of using a Student Ministry degree to work at a camp for troubled inner city kids? Or using an Administration degree to head up a non-profit organization for the homeless community? You can even leave OCC with a degree in Biblical Justice to help free children from sex slavery across the world. The possibilities are endless. Below you will see a list of degrees and majors offered at OCC. Under each major, you will see a few job possibilities to consider. Please note this list is not exhaustive. It is meant to help get you thinking about the variety of options that are available. Biblical Communication  Student ministry  Discipleship ministry  Women’s ministry  Campus ministry  Communications in a parachurch organization  Freelance writer/speaker

Bachelor of Theology Majors: Old Testament, New Testament, or Biblical Worldview  Senior/associate minister  Research assistant (sermon prep, resident church scholar, likely for megachurch staffs)  Professor  Research/writer  Church leadership ministry  Discipleship minister  Teaching minister  Likely pursue graduate studies with an eye toward church leadership ministry and perhaps teaching

Lyndsey D., 2015 OCC Graduate BA in Christian Ministry Major: Administrative Ministry “My degree is unique because it is focused on the business side of ministry. This deals with a lot of the behind the scenes work for different ministries. It can be used in any type of ministry because it is the organizing and programming work in a ministry setting. It is also unique because many of the administrative classes are applicable for non-profit or business settings.”

Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministry Majors: Administration Ministry  Intern and begin working full-time with Fortune 500 company  Serve administratively with a church plant in the U.S. or cross-culturally  Lend strengths in coordination and scheduling with a nonprofit  Utilize administrative skills to minister and serve through children’s programming in the local church  Start a preschool or work in Christian school education

Nathan, 2015 OCC Graduate BA in Christian Ministry Double Major: Bible and Leadership What’s unique about your degree? “Practical training at Christ’s Church of the Valley, Israel Trip, and masters level leadership classes.” 2

Children’s Ministry  Children’s minister  Director of elementary ministries  Director of preschool ministries  Director of children's ministries  Infant/toddler childcare coordinator

Biblical Justice  Field-based missionary working with justice issues/organizations  Positions at missions agencies or organizations focused on justice  Nonprofit or NGO (non-governmental organization) work in justice issues  Work in governmental agencies focused on justice issues  Relief worker  Community/service minister in a local church  Urban/slum ministry  Crisis pregnancy center worker  Teach in the inner city  Homeless ministry  Orphan ministry  Worker with anti-slavery organizations  Worker with anti-poverty campaigns  Community development  Adoption specialist  Criminal justice  Social work

Church Planting  Church planting team  Senior/associate minister  Church leadership ministry  Discipleship/teaching minister  Administration and fundraising Intercultural Studies  Field-based missionary  Positions at missions agencies or organizations  Missions minister at a local church  Urban missionary (familiar with intercultural settings)  International student ministry

Preaching Ministry Wan Shanqi, 2015 OCC Graduate  Preaching pastor BA in Christian Ministry  Student ministry Double Major: Bible and Intercultural Studies  Senior ministry “I love my degree because I got to understand  Discipleship ministry God's heart for the lost more. I learned some  Campus ministry cultural differences and learned how to deal with the  Communications in parachurch organization culture shocks better for my future ministry. I want to see the brokenness healed and raise concern for injustice around the world, but most importantly I want to see the great work God is doing around the world and to be part of it.” Ben, 2015 OCC Graduate

Christian Formation  Adult education minister  Family minister  Small groups minister  Discipleship minister  Women’s minister  Campus minister  College age minister  Director of Christian education  Parachurch worker

BA in Christian Ministry Major: Preaching and Church Planting What’s unique about your degree? “[They] are designed to work in tandem in order to lead a young church. I want to make disciples that make disciples and plant churches that plant churches.”

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Jenni, 2015 OCC Graduate BA in Christian Ministry Major: Non-Specialized “I took several classes in several different departments so I could be multi-functional in ministry. I hope to work in a non-profit organization and use my skills I learned about the Bible, leadership, administration and teaching.”

Psychology and Counseling  Licensed professional counselor in a church, private practice or government institution such as the Ozark Center  Marriage and Family therapist in a church, private practice or government institution  Public school counselor  Chaplain or social worker in a hospital, hospice, nursing home or prison  Licensed social worker in a government institution such as Health and Family Services  Counselor or chaplain in a home for unwed mothers  Addictions counselor in private practice, leader of Celebrate Recovery in a church setting, or working for a government institution *This degree prepares students for graduate work and licensing

Worship Ministry  Worship minister  Music director  Children’s or student ministry worship leader in a large church  Chapel minister at Christian school  Associate minister Worship Production  Worship programming director  Creative arts director  Technical arts director  Communications director  Media director  Audio engineer  Production assistant  Media designer  Audio, video, lighting technician

Student Ministry  Student minister  Teen-focused parachurch organization, such as Young Life  Camp director  Campus ministry  Teen discipleship  Preaching pastor  College age minister

Lyndsey E., 2012 OCC Graduate BA in Christian Ministry Major: Administrative Ministry Lyndsey works as the church administrator and does women’s evangelism and discipleship at Mustard Seed Christian Church, Nagoya, Japan. “I am so thankful to be able to use what I learned about finance, team building, volunteer coordination, etc...in my administrative classes and what I learned about God in my Bible and ministry classes and apply them in a new church in one of the largest unreached cities in the world.”

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DISCOVER: Your Ministry Vocation Whether working in an official ministry organization or in a secular office, we believe our work as Christians should always be done to advance the Kingdom. Your vocation should stem from your God-given passion and calling. Keep in mind that a vocation may change in different seasons of life. This section will provide a guided brainstorm session to discover your passions for ministry.1 1. Start with your wish list. What kinds of ministry have you always dreamed of doing? ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ 2. Think about your friends and relatives. Do you know people who have the kind of ministry you’d like to have? ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ 3. Ask professors, mentors, and friends about your vocation. What do they see you doing? ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ 4. Think about the things you love to do. Do you have a hobby, interest, or passion that you could turn into a ministry? ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ 5. Think about your talents. Do you have a special talent, skill, or ability that could be turned into a ministry? (Refer to pg. 1.) ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________

6. What does the unrelenting Holy Spirit keep placing on your heart? What is wrong with this world that you want to help make right? ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________

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After thinking of a few different ministry vocations to pursue, here are a few more things to consider: 1. Will you enjoy the ministry and be able to see the long-term benefits, or will it just feel like work? 2. Will the job be interesting enough that problems become challenges you’re eager to face instead of frustrations? 3. Is the ministry or service that you’ll offer needed and worthwhile? 4. Will you feel respected for the work you do?  In ministry, you may not always feel respect from the world. Will that be okay with you as long as it gives honor to your Heavenly Father? 5. Will you be able to live on the wages you’ll earn?  Being in ministry usually isn’t about the money, but it is still a wise thing to consider. 6. Are there opportunities for personal, professional, and spiritual growth? 7. Continue to pray and ask for the Lord’s blessing. Notes: ________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________

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The key to networking is putting yourself in a position to have the right conversations with the right people.

DISCOVER: Your Network

You are not alone when job searching. Whether you realize it or not, everyone has a network. The key to networking is putting yourself in a position to have the right conversations with the right people. These conversations must express genuine interest in their ministry and let the person know that you are searching for a ministry job. Even if the person you are talking to does not have any openings, ask if they know people who might be hiring right now. Consider the following: 1. Start small and with familiar faces. Call or email your direct ministry connections. Send them your resume and ask them to pass it along to anyone who might be looking to hire. 2. Take advantage of the OCC and local church community. Talk with professors, fellow students, alumni, church leaders, co-sponsors, volunteers, church members, and the Ministry Center. 3. Don’t apologize. It’s okay to ask for help. One day they may ask your help for ministry connections. 4. Meet as many ministry leaders at the OCC events as possible. Sit in on workshops and introduce yourself. Set up coffee and lunch appointments. Even if they are not hiring, ask them to keep your resume on file and to pass it along to others. 5. Meet as many ministries as you can at the Volunteer Expo. The Ministry Center has contact information on everyone at the Expo, so you can contact any ministry you were unable to meet that evening. 6. Join social networking groups. (LinkedIn) Connect and start asking about what is available. 7. Go to conferences. (ICOM, NACC, state conventions, etc.) Break away from your friend group and start meeting people. Take full advantage of the ministry exhibits and workshops. 8. Set reminders to follow up. Check in with your contacts to see if they have heard of any new openings. 9. Visit OCC and other websites. See page 40 for list of websites. 10. Get connected locally. Attend the Joplin Job Fest (gojobfest.com) and visit the Joplin Career Center (730 S. Wall Ave).

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Visualize Your Connections A flowchart is an efficient way to get a quick glance of your ministry connections. This flowchart shows how an abundance of contacts can come from only a few close sources. The connections are endless.

3 Camp Teammates

Close Professor

Church planting in Japan

Teaches English to Japanse students

Church planting in Chicago

Looking for year long interns

Chil. Min. in FL w/ video experience

Worked w/ Blackbox Intl.

Connections from past ministry of 20 years Taught at seminary

You!

Connections from past ministries Dad in ministry 33 years

Several Bible college friends in ministry Church camp board member

Grad School reference Connected to past students now in ministry Northern & Central MO Eastern IA

Rock River (IL)

High Hill (MO) MO Christian Convention committee Worked at CIY Brother Friend in social work Teacher in public school special ed. American Sign Lang. interpreter

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Numerous ministry connections Internship openings & job possiblities Connections to Deaf Min. community Inteened at Deaf Missions (IA)

Here’s a blank flowchart for you to get started!

You!

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PREPARE: Getting Ready to Apply Some churches or organizations will have a standard application for you to complete. This helps them to quickly evaluate your qualifications. Make sure to complete each application. Neatness also counts. Sloppy applications can show you don’t take pride in your work. Below you will find information requested on most applications. The job search process may require you to fill out numerous applications. Type out this information now and save it as a reference for later. This way you don’t have to remember all the facts each time. You can simply copy the information. Your information  Legal name  Address  Phone  Email  Social Security number (don’t save on computer)  Work permits  Work licenses

Former Employers  Company’s name  Address  Phone  Your job title  Start/end dates  Duties  Supervisor’s name Three References  Names  Job titles  Addresses  Phone numbers  Best times to call

Each School  School’s name  Address  Phone  Your date of completion or attendance  Degree, award, or major

Additional Information  Skills  Qualifications  Accomplishments *Be prepared for a background check.

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Applying for the Job You’re Not “Qualified” For When applying for ministry jobs, you’ve probably come across the ads that ask for at least five years of experience, want you to be the preacher, part-time youth minister, oversee the children’s program, and be married with plans to have four kids. Exaggeration? Maybe, but you get the picture. You, however, only have two years of part-time preaching experience, you’re seeking a preaching role, and you’re single. Most likely you’ll disregard that position altogether. But if the community is great, the church is healthy with a ministry focus that you would like to become a part of, and you are confident in your abilities, apply! Church leaders and staff members often have their ideal candidate in mind so they list every quality that person should have. You may have to show them why you are the perfect candidate, even if it doesn’t appear that way on paper.

Tips on promoting yourself in this situation: 1. Be willing to address the issue. In your cover letter or the email with your attached resume, acknowledge their qualifications and point out how you are a worthy candidate regardless. For example, “I noticed in your job description you asked for _______. I believe that with my _____ experience and _____ skills, I meet the expectations of this position.” 2. Highlight your involvements. Their qualifications may be very specific to that particular position. Stating your involvement with on-campus events, service projects, non-profit organizations, etc. shows a great deal of experience that can be applicable to the position you’re applying for. Point out the skills you gained in the process. This can be a creative way to show you really are equipped for the job. 3. Know your “elevator speech.” Whether you are casually meeting a minister on campus who is sharing a ministry position, or you’re having a follow-up conversation in hopes of getting an interview, you have about 15 seconds to sell yourself. You should have 3-4 quality points to share that clearly states why you are qualified. This is called your “elevator speech.” Imagine you’re on an elevator together. You want to have their interest before they reach their floor and move on. 4. Communicate progression in past work experience. Regardless of the work field, people like to see job progression in your past work experience. Let’s say you’ve worked five years in fast food and only two years in paid ministry. Strategically and truthfully, promote any progression you made working fast food. For example, share how you moved from fryer to drive-through, from front cashier to shift manager. That alone says you were trusted to handle money, deal with customers, and oversee and lead co-workers. Those are valuable qualities for any employer—ministry included. 5. Be confident. A frequent phrase that is used when describing Ozark students and graduates is “accelerated maturity.” Wear that proudly and point out that you’re a quick learner, solid leader, and you’ll commit to seeking guidance in uncertain situations.

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PREPARE: Writing Your Resume “Resume Writing” says, “Resumes tell an employer a great deal about you. Where you have been, where you are and where you are headed. However, the story must be told quickly and clearly. You only have a few moments to convince the employer that your resume deserves further attention before it’s trashed.”2

Q&A3 What can you do with a resume? Mail it. Email it. Give it to hiring churches/organizations in any other manner they request. The idea is to get it into the hands of as many hiring personnel as you can. If people like what they see in your resume, you could get invited to a job interview. What if you aren’t a confident writer? That’s okay. Writing a resume is more about knowing what you’ve done and presenting it effectively. Lengthy paragraphs with numerous adjectives should be avoided. Spend more time focusing on your specific accomplishments. Subjective details should be avoided. You can also ask for help at the Ministry Center. “The information you What is the official format of a resume? include on your resume, There is no official format for writing your resume. There are categories as well as the order and that should be included in most standard resumes and styles that are format in which you recommended, but there is no one right outline. You will find different present it, should reflect example resumes on pages 17-23. Contact the Ministry Center if you the information needs and would like these examples sent to you to use as a template. qualifications sought by search committees in your What’s a ministerial resume? field of service… think “Resumes look a little different in every field, and especially so in the carefully about what a ministerial field. The primary difference one will notice with these types committee will want to of resumes is that they are much more personal than business know about you... resumes.”4 Ministry experience, paid or volunteer, is valued more in a Carefully consider how ministerial resume than secular jobs. you can organize pertinent information so it will Do I send the same resume to different jobs? communicate clearly the Your resume will need to be tweaked for each different position you’re significance of your gifts, applying for. Do your research. Be very familiar with the job description, experience, and skills.”5 requirements, and mission of the church or organization. This way you can be sure to pinpoint skills and experiences on your resume that fit what they are looking for.

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12 Ways to Make Your Resume Stand Out!6 1. One or two pages. The goal is to keep out unnecessary information and highlight your skills and qualifications. Don’t mention everything you’ve done. Leave them wanting to know more and contact you. This allows for more opportunity to share your unique skills in an interview. 2. Use a good grade of paper. Use off-white or beige paper to help make your resume stand out from others printed on white computer paper. 3. Be honest. Make sure your 10-point buck was really a 10-point buck. It can be tempting to stretch truth in order to make yourself look better. You are uniquely gifted and empowered by the Holy Spirit. False statements on your resume are not worth a breach of your integrity. 4. Focus on the essentials. Avoid being repetitious in your accomplishments and skills. 5. Avoid listing what’s common. Pinpoint what’s unique about you. A lot of people can use Microsoft Office. What distinctive skills and accomplishments can you share? 6. Write facts that are measurable, not just tasks. Job descriptions list tasks; your resume should not. Make sure your points are measurable. Think, “How?” “What?” “Where?” and “With what results?” Example: replace “Developed elementary ministry curriculum” with “Created a year-long elementary ministry curriculum equipped with activities and parent resources.” 7. Use bullet points. Paragraphs get monotonous and lose the reader’s interest. Bullet points allow for quick reading and clarity. 8. Choose one verb per bullet point. See the resume thesaurus on pages 15-16 for ideas. 9. Use a clean font. Arial, Calibri, Helvetica. 11-point is the smallest you should use. 10. Consistent margins. Use .5” or 1” margins on all four sides. 11. Edit, edit, edit. Check for misspelled words and poor grammar. Have several people proofread your resume or bring it to the Ministry Center. 12. Consider online resume builders. One great site is www.myperfectresume.com  Numerous templates  Writing assistance & cover letter builder  Download, save, and print finished product  $2.95 day full access, $7.95 monthly access (money guaranteed)

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Resume Checklist Not all resumes include all of the following categories, as you will notice in the example resumes. Some categories can be combined while some may not be needed depending on the job you’re applying for. If your resume is too long, cut some of the non-essentials. If it is too short, consider adding a few things. 

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Contact information  Full name, phone number, a professional email address (not Cutie-pie@hotmail.com) and mailing address  Personal information may be added, such as family, interests, and ordination date Your skills  Abilities you possess that will benefit the church/organization Ministry experience  Title, church or organization name, location, and year(s) worked  Bullet points of what you did—facts that state results, not just tasks Education  Start with most recent school or program  Mention degree earned and date received Work experience  Amount of time spent at each job and some duties you had while there Non-work/related experience  Accomplishments, volunteer experiences, etc. Personal statement of faith  Short salvation story, call to ministry, ministry statement, doctrinal belief, etc. Additional information  Optional section that may be used to mention special talents or abilities to interest the employer  Most churches and ministry organizations like to know if you are married and/or have children

Things to avoid:  Objectives are not recommended anymore. Resumes should present facts about you, not opinions.  Goals are not recommended either. The church/organization knows what position you are applying for, especially if mentioned in your cover letter.  References should not be included on resume unless instructed. Wait to give upon request, at interview, etc. Place “References upon request” at end of your resume.  Personal pronouns should be avoided. You may have to use a few here and there, but try to keep them to a minimum.  Writing in third person is awkward on a resume. Stick to first person.

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Ministry Resume Thesaurus7 Accomplished Completed Finished

Completed Concluded Finished

Achieved Executed Reached Realized

Composed Comprised Created Formed

Adapted Accommodated Adjusted

Consulted Advised Conferred

Advised Conferred Consulted Instructed

Coordinated Accommodated Arranged

Assessed Appraised Evaluated

Established Constituted Created Instituted Estimated Appraised Approximated Assessed Evangelized Proclaimed Witnessed to Evaluated Appraised Assessed Identified Classified

Created Composed Generated Formulated Produced

Expanded Developed Elaborated Increased

Assisted Accommodated Contributed Promoted Sponsored Supported

Discipled Guided Mentored Shepherded Taught

Audited Analyzed Examined Inspected

Delegated Appointed Assigned Deputized Nominated

Fostered Cultivated Encouraged Promoted

Designed Arranged Created Planned

Graded Edited Modified Revised

Developed Created Expanded Planned Enhanced Deepened Heightened

Implemented Completed Fulfilled Performed

Calculated Computed Estimated Figured Chosen Awarded Nominated Selected Committed Dedicated Devoted

Financed Backed Balanced Subsidized

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Increased Expanded Improved Heightened Raised Initiated Commenced Introduced Launched Integrated Coordinated Incorporated Led Conducted Directed Engaged Guided Maintained Provided Supported Sustained Managed Achieved Conducted Directed Motivated Ambitious Inspired Driven Focused Ministered to Attended to Cared for Counseled Discipled Taught Shepherded

Originated Derived Issued Started Oversaw Overlook Supervised Surveyed Participated Cooperated Engaged Planned Designed Devised Organized Presented Addressed Directed Offered Programed Arranged Formulated Registered Scheduled

Provided Delivered Offered Supplied Transferred

Sponsored Aided Assisted Lead Spoke Articulated Communicated Discoursed Preached Presented

Recruited Engaged Enlisted Initiated Represented Offered Presented

Supported Promoted Sustained

Researched Examined Investigated Probed Studied

Surpassed Exceeded Excelled Taught Illustrated Instructed Trained

Revised Redrafted Restyled Rewrote Studied Examined Inspected Surveyed

Updated Refreshed Renewed Used Applied Employed Utilized Visited Called on Shepherded Won Accomplished Achieved Attained Led to Worked Handled Operated Performed Wrote Composed Formulated

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Resume Example 1

Charlie Smith 1111 North Main Street, Joplin, MO 64801 | 417.123.4567 | smith.charlie@my.occ.edu

Ministry Skills Profile: Practical ministry skills and academic training in:  Expositional Bible teaching  Interpersonal communication and conflict resolution  Crisis counseling

  

Personal integrity and accountability Creative and analytical approach to problem solving Team leadership experience

Ministry Experience: Part-time Student Minister August 2013-Present Webb City Christian Church Webb City, MO  Research and develop weekly Bible study plans applicable for junior high and high school age students, which have resulted in three baptisms.  Deliver engaging messages weekly to present the Gospel, which has led the student ministry from 15 to 30 students.  Disciple the Young Leadership team of four high school seniors who assist in small group mentoring.  Recruit and train 3-6 student ministry sponsors twice a year.  Prepare and preach sermons to a congregation of 80 people four times annually. Resident Assistant August 2014-Present Strong Hall, Ozark Christian College Joplin, MO  Sustain the direction and authority of our residence director by enforcing guidelines.  Generate an encouraging community through relationships, accountability, and dormwide events.  Organize and co-lead devotions each week for 35 men on the floor. Ministry Intern May 2013-August 2013 First Christian Church Houston, TX  Participated on a team of five interns to successfully coordinate, oversee, and facilitate annual children’s camp of approximately 150 kids.  Developed summer programming consistent with the vision and mission of the church.  Provided multiple opportunities for church members to mature spiritually through active discipleship.  Planned bi-monthly events for the young adult’s ministry to effectively engage and reach over 50 adults with the Gospel.

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Volunteer Small Group Leader September 2012-May 2013 College Heights Christian Church Joplin, MO th  Mentored a group of eight boys in the 7 grade by holding them accountable in their walk of faith.  Guided reflective discussion on Wednesday evenings to ensure students grasped truth from the Bible lessons.  Spent quality time with each student outside of church events to grow trusting and authentic relationships.  Discipled by way of example and sharing of my personal testimony. Mission Trip July 2011 Global R.E.S.T. (Missionary Care) North Africa  Assisted in the operation of a retreat to Renew, Encourage, Strengthen, and Teach missionaries on the field of North Africa.  Served the missionaries by providing childcare during their retreat sessions to allow them focus and rest. Education: Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministry Anticipated May 2015 Ozark Christian College Joplin, MO  Majoring in Student Ministry  Current GPA 3.67  Current RA of my dorm floor of 28 men  Involvement: freshman life group leader for two years, Kenosis Representative for one year, volunteered for several on campus events Professional Experience: Shift Supervisor August 2010-July 2012 Woody’s Smokehouse Joplin, MO  Exceeded customers’ expectations in delivering quality service in an efficient manner.  Twice awarded “Employee of the Month” for excellent sales and service.  Oversaw the opening operations of the store ensuring proper preparation for food service. Volunteer Experience: Contributed over 300 hours for the following organizations:  Teen Crisis Line, Joplin, MO  Watered Gardens, Joplin, MO  Habitat for Humanity, Joplin, MO References upon request.

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August 2012-May 2013 August 2011-May 2012 August 2011-December 2011

Resume Example 28

Marie Jones 1111 North Main Street, Joplin, MO 64801 Cell: 417-123-1234 Email: jones.marie@my.occ.edu LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/mariejones

Event Coordination Volunteer Management Process Mapping

Quick Glance of Ministry Skills Website Content Maintenance Research & Writing Skills Grading & Student Advising

MINISTRY EXPERIENCE

Ministry Center Admin. Asst., Ozark Christian College, Joplin, MO June 2013-present  Trusted with leading major components of the Ministry Center including service, internships, and ministry placement.  Organize annual Community Volunteer Exposition which hosts 70+ booths with over 500 attendees.  Oversee communication of assignments and expectations of 20-40+ interns, site mentors, and professors throughout each semester and summer.  Collaborated material to create current Internship Handbook used to successfully guide students during their internship experience.  Researched for and created the Ministry Center’s groundbreaking Ministry Placement Resource Manual used to guide students in ministry placement upon graduation.

Events Student Asst., Ozark Christian College, Joplin, MO February 2011-May 2013  Managed a team of 40+ volunteers for seven annual events to ensure smooth event operations.  Trusted to handle registration money during annual conference of 800+ attendees.  Operated Ozark’s Ministry Job Openings & Internships webpage.  Prepared exhibit displays bimonthly for traveling staff and faculty. Camp Teams, Ozark Christian College, Joplin, MO June-August 2010  Assisted in the operation and efforts of eight weeks of church camp with three teammates.  Worked with flexibility under the direction of a different dean each week fulfilling the role he/she specifically assigned.  Portrayed leadership in several different vicinities of ministry, including small groups, discipleship, game/recreation time, speaking, and cabin housing.  Prepared and taught biblical lessons and devotionals according to the week’s theme.  Represented and recruited for Ozark Christian College each week by way of conversation, behavior, and a formal presentation.  Selected and awarded an OCC scholarship each week to two campers after discerning through prayer and counsel with the rest of the team.  Managed the OCC display and t-shirt sales each week. 19

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministry, Ozark Christian College  Children’s Ministry Major (anticipated graduation in May 2016)  Psychology & Counseling Major, GPA 3.67 (2013) o Volunteered for campus events o Member of the choir and production of “The Living Christmas Tree” o Life Group leader VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE

Childcare Worker, Carterville Christian Church, Carterville, MO 2010-present  Co-lead the 5th grade girls small group of 8-12 girls on Wednesday nights  Part of the Sunday morning two-year-olds teaching team o Prepare activities complimentary to the weekly Bible lesson, including crafts, games, songs, and lesson review for 10-15 kids

Mentor, PALs Program 2009-2011  Spent 1-2 hours a week with a junior high girl to mentor her and spend quality time together.

ADDITIONAL WORK EXPERIENCE

Childcare Worker, Mercy Discovery Center

2009-2010

Lifeguard & Swim Teacher, Linn City Pool

2005-2009

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Married to Carl Jones May 26, 2013  Behavioral Health Technician at Family Care, Joplin, MO  Current student at Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, KS, studying Environmental Science (anticipated graduation: May 2015)  Graduate of Central Christian College of the Bible, Moberly, MO  Actively involved in church worship band and participates in Life Groups References upon request.

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Resume Example 3

Cheyenne Michaels 1111 N Main St, Joplin, MO, 64801 - 417.444.0000 - michaels.cheyenne@my.occ.edu   

Ministry Skills:

Ministry Experience:

Discipleship-driven. Team leadership experience. Innovative and hard worker.

  

Personal integrity and honesty. Perceptive. Rational and practical.

Student Assistant to the Ministry Center Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri November 2014 – Current 

Develop intentional relationships with students and the community to strategically connect them to meet service needs.



Assisting in the implementation of a new service leadership program to improve awareness and participation of Christian service needs to the student body.



Using the leadership program to establish a more effective servant-filled culture on campus and in the community.



Connect and communicate with various ministries, organizations, churches, and individuals to post and upkeep their ministry job openings on Ozark Christian College’s website.

College Age Staff College Heights Christian Church, Joplin, Missouri December 2014 – Current 

Responsible for communicating with Community Group student leaders and host families about events, prayer requests, and different development within the College Age Ministry and within Community Groups.



Visit different Community Groups to evaluate what works and what doesn’t in order to make the positive changes to Community Groups.



Keep a relationship with student leaders, host families, and students in the group, in order to know the groups well enough to place new students within them.



Direct and help implement the changes being made to the Community Groups in College Age Ministry.

Middle School Small Group Leader College Heights Christian Church, Joplin, Missouri September 2013 – Current 

Co-lead discussion of 6-8 girls every week, to deepen their relationship with Christ, a good discipleship relationship with myself, and as part of their social and spiritual maturing process.



Disciple girls outside of youth group through a monthly service project that varies every month and hang-out time.



Sing on rotation in the worship band for youth group.

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Camp Counselor Camp War Eagle, Rogers, Arkansas May 2014 – August 2014

Professional Experience:

Education:

Personal Information:

References:



Oversaw different age groups in cabin and led nightly devotionals for 10 weeks.



Taught various classes for the camp of 525+ campers including: cooking, fishing, various craft activities, etc.



Spent time on the camp’s maintenance team, cleaning bathhouses, cabins, and maintained different recreational locations.



Put in different aspects of leadership at camp; was chosen to be the campus representative for Camp War Eagle to my college.

Sales Rep. (Sales Associate) Pacific Sunwear (PacSun), St. Louis, Missouri July 2011 – July 2013 

Trusted to handle money and customers at the register.



Achieved top 50 sales associate in the company.



Maintained upkeep of the store, i.e. folding clothes, wiping off counters, and front windows, mopping floors, etc.

Bachelor of Arts in Christian Formation Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri  Currently attending, projected date of graduation is 2018. 

Current GPA 3.7.



From St. Louis, Missouri.



Love to just be with people, especially friends.



Love to go hiking and hammock.



Learning to play the ukulele and guitar.



Enjoy friendly competition like sports and games.



References are available on request.

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Resume Example 4

Felipe Munoz 417.555.0000 | munoz.felipe@my.occ.edu | 1111 North Main Street, Joplin, MO 64801 Facebook: /munoz.felipe | Twitter: @munozfelipe

Key Skills

Ministry Experience

      

Children’s Worship Leader

Music composition Harmonizing Guitar & piano Tenor/baritone vocals Worship band leader Scripture application Sound board/tech

Education Ozark Christian College Bachelor of Music/Worship, 2015  Five credit hours of applied voice, guitar, and piano  Lead two chapel worship services for 700+ people

February 2014-Current

Fairview Christian Church Carthage, MO  Organize the children’s weekly worship set alongside the Creative Arts Team using Planning Center Services.  Lead Sunday morning worship for 30-40 kids through music, Scriptural reading, and interpretation.  Create monthly worship activities to teach and inspire children about expressions of worship beyond music.  Participate in the bi-monthly leadership prayer group to pray over the elders, ministers, congregation, and discipleship of FCC.  Recruited and trained current team of 10 musicians.

Song Leader

September-December 2013

Ozark Christian College, September 2011-Current

Spring River Christian Village Joplin, MO  Selected hymns to lead music during weekly chapel service.  Encouraged song requests each week to develop community rapport.  Played piano during communion and accompanied occasional special music.  Prayed and fellowshipped after services to build relationships with the residents.  Wrote and preached encouraging sermons once a month to offer relevant teaching to an elderly and spiritually mature audience.

Sales Associate

Guitarist & Keyboardist

Missouri Southern State University Attended 2010-2011  General education courses  Communication courses  Koinonia Christian Campus Ministry

Employment History Mabee Student Center Supervisor

Academy Sports Outdoors, August 2010-December 2012

Personal Information Hobbies   

Traveling & photography Teaching basic Spanish skills Reading fiction

August 2010-May 2013

Villa Heights Christian Church Joplin, MO  Played guitar or keyboard as a dependable member of the worship team rotation.  Shared band practice devotional once a month to prepare hearts for worship.  Trusted to lead the congregation 4-5 times annually during the worship minister’s absence.

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PREPARE: Writing Your Cover Letter What’s the difference between a cover letter and a resume? The cover letter is your personalized marketing piece; the resume provides the facts to support your letter. It is your opportunity to add some passion and energy to the impersonal application process and expands on how you can personally impact their ministry. It also gets them excited to meet you and learn more.

13 Pointers for Cover Letters9 1. Send a cover letter only if instructed to. Many places won’t want a cover letter. Save your time and only write one if asked to. 2. Resemble your resume. Have a heading to your cover letter that is the same as your resume. 3. Address with a name. Know who you’re writing to so you don’t have to say “To Whom it May Concern.” 4. Personalize it. Your cover letter is the personality to your resume. 5. Name drop. Know someone they know? Mention your connections to them or the ministry. 6. Direct attention to your experience. Share life experiences. Avoid just listing facts—that’s what your resume is for. 7. Show that you did your research. Explain your motivation to work in this specific ministry/organization. Mention your agreement with their mission statement. You may even make a comment about the make-up of their congregation and/or the local area. 8. Demonstrate how you are their job description in the flesh. Be familiar with their job description and prove it in your cover letter. State how you are an excellent candidate for this position. 9. Explain how you are qualified. Maybe you don’t meet every qualification. That’s okay. Be willing to address that and confidently present yourself as a worthy applicant. What do you bring to the ministry that will benefit them? 10. Ask for an interview. Initiate further communication. Tell them your interest in an interview and your follow up plan. 11. Keep it to a page or less. Concentrate on the essentials of what you want to communicate. 12. Write conversationally. You want your letter to be personal and feel conversational, but it’s still a professional letter.

13. Edit. The cover letter is your personalized marketing piece…

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Basic Cover Letter Outline Your name, address, email, phone (same format as your resume). Today’s date Employer’s Name Church/Organization Address City, ST Zip Dear Employer’s Name, In the introductory paragraph, tell how you heard about the open position, express what initially caught your attention, and why you are interested in the position and ministry. “I was intrigued by your request…” In the content paragraph(s), share how you specifically meet their qualifications. You may also briefly share your philosophy of ministry and how it applies to the context of the position. Share why you fit not only the ministry job description, but why you want to be a part of their specific mission, and how you see yourself thriving in the local community. “This is who I am and why I’ll be successful in this particular ministry…” Be creative and let your personality shine through. In the closing paragraph, confidently address any qualifications you don’t meet and why you are still a worthy applicant. “I believe my skills are adequate for this position…” Thank them for their time and ask for the interview. State that you’ll be in contact if you don’t hear from them within a week to ten days. Do not mention this if they have been clear about how they’ll contact you. Sincerely, (Signature)

Typed Name Enclosure

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Examples Below you will find an example job description with a cover letter following written in response to the job description. Also provided is a second separate cover letter example. Maple Drive Christian Church, Tallahassee, FL (Family Life Minister) Job Description: Maple Drive Christian Church, a growing faith family in Tallahassee, the state capital of Florida, is anticipating the blessing of welcoming to their staff a Family Life Minister. This addition to our family will be expected to administer our Youth Programs by mentoring, leading, and encouraging those members currently volunteering in those areas. In addition to the traditional responsibilities of a Youth Pastor, this person will also be involved in other ministry opportunities such as preaching, evangelism, and church development. Tallahassee offers a wide range of cultural opportunities centered around the arts, history, and outdoor recreation. Home to National Champions Florida State Seminoles and another major university, Florida Agriculture & Mechanical University (FAMU), as well as a top-rated junior college, Tallahassee Community College, the area affords multiple opportunities to witness to people of all ages and backgrounds. It is only a short drive away to beautiful state beaches and parks, with pleasant weather almost year-round. Application Requirements: This position of Family Life Minister is a full-time position, available immediately. The candidate will need to hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in pastoral studies and/or Christian ministry, with 3-5 years of experience. We are looking for a candidate with a passion for bringing the lost to Jesus, and enough maturity to relate to all age groups, with experience in dealing with the traditional as well as the non-traditional family unit as they relate to the challenges of living in the world today. From website: Welcome! We’re grateful that you have been led to the Maple Drive Christian Church website! You may have already experienced the family fellowship and love that we richly enjoy. We at Maple Drive believe that in this difficult world in which we live, there is still good news. This good news is that God is still personally involved in mankind. The Bible is still His inspired Word that gives us direction for our lives, and that the resurrected Christ still lives today. We invite you to come and experience love and direction that awaits you in our exciting fellowship!

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Example 1

Charlie Smith 1111 North Main Street, Joplin, MO 64801 | 417.123.4567 | smith.charlie@my.occ.edu June 15, 2015 Carter Brown Maple Christian Church 7000 Maple Drive Tallahassee, FL 32308 Dear Mr. Brown, I was intrigued by your ministry request for a Family Life Minister and the uniqueness of this position. Ever since I began serving with youth, I’ve found the most genuine discipleship happened when the volunteers were invested in and had a healthy mentorship as well. I appreciate that you are taking this approach in your ministry search. Your belief statement speaks with such action and relevance. God is alive and His Word is still teaching us today. In our changing world, God’s love and truth is what remains constant and has the ability to teach and reach the lost year after year. Your church’s mission reflects this, and I would like to be a part of it. I believe that I possess the skills to effectively fulfill the responsibilities of a youth pastor along with outreach. I am experienced with discipling youth and have a deep passion to connect them to Christ and the Church. God has given me a heart not only for the generation of youth, but also for diversity. Having served as the youth minister of a culturally diverse congregation, I have great interest in areas like Tallahassee. I have worked for four years in part-time youth ministry throughout my college career, along with being a volunteer at the Boys and Girls Club. I recall your requirements seeking an applicant that has 3-5 years of experience in the field. I feel confident in my ministry experience to obtain a position such as the Family Life Minister at Maple Drive Christian Church. I greatly appreciate your time in reading my letter, and I hope to receive much consideration. I look forward to a possible interview in which I can become more familiar with you and your ministry. Feel free to contact me at the phone or addresses listed above. May you have God’s direction during this hiring process. Sincerely, (Signature)

Charlie Smith Enclosure

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EXAMPLE 210 Fran A. Scholar 119-B Ridge Top Lane Louisville, KY 40200 (502) 897-4000 | fransco@gmail.com July 4, 2015 Mr. Howard Hahn, Chairman Minister to Students Search Committee Mountain Hill Christian Church 2000 Cardinal Pike Paris, AL 36866 Dear Mr. Hahn: I am writing in reference to the Minister to Students position announcement that was posted in the Alabama Christian newspaper. As I read the position description I was struck by the exciting and challenging nature of this ministry opportunity. I am enclosing a copy of my resume for your consideration as a candidate for the position. Since my sophomore year of college, I have felt God’s clear calling to minister to youth. Through volunteer ministry, two years of service as a student ministry intern, and the past three years of serving as Minister to Youth at Journey Christian Church, my calling has been confirmed and strengthened. I have a passion to share with young people the good news of God’s love for them, and to help nurture their spiritual development. The year of service I spent as a campus ministry intern also awakened within me a desire to minister to the spiritual needs of college students. I hope the enclosed resume will be helpful as you evaluate my qualifications as a candidate. If you should need any additional information, I would be very glad to provide it. I would be delighted to speak with you in person about this position, if you feel so led. Feel free to contact me at the phone number or addresses listed above. I appreciate your time and consideration. Please know of my prayers for your committee and your church as you seek the Lord’s person to serve as your next Minister to Students. Sincerely, (Signature)

Fran Scholar

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PREPARE: Choosing Your References 10 Reference Tips11 1. Provide a variety of contacts, such as a past supervisor, co-worker, professor, minister, etc. (no family members). 2. Contact all of your references beforehand to reconnect and ask their permission. 3. Discuss with them what they will say about you—positive and negative comments. 4. Make sure you have your references’ up-to-date contact information, including physical address, phone number, and email. 5. Ask your references the best time to call them. 6. Keep your references updated on the positions you are applying for, give them a copy of your resume, and let them know they should anticipate being contacted. 7. The header on your reference list and text should match your resume and cover letter’s font and format. 8. List your reference’s name, ministry/organization/company, title, phone number, and email address. 9. Include with resume only if instructed, otherwise wait to provide references as a follow up or at interview. 10. Choose your references wisely. Hiring personnel will ask references about: Most places a. Your past job duties will ask you to b. Your strengths and weaknesses provide 3-4 c. Confirmation of your job title and time frame you worked with them references, but d. Your accomplishments you may have e. Your ministry specific ministry skills more ready f. If you have any integrity issues just in case. g. If there is anything they should know about you

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Example

Charlie Smith 1111 North Main Street, Joplin, MO 64801 | 417.123.4567 | smith.charlie@my.occ.edu

References James Hunter Webb City Christian Church, Senior Minister 123 Main Street Webb City, MO 64870 417-123-4567 jhunter@yahoo.com I currently serve under James as the part-time youth minister at Webb City Christian Church. James can best be contacted Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. and 6:30-8:00 p.m. Julia Matthews First Christian Church, Children’s Minister 578 North Lane Houston, TX 77001 713-987-6543 julia-matthews@fchouston.org Julia was my site mentor during my summer internship. Julia can best be contacted MondayFriday, 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

Dr. Chris Page Ozark Christian College, New Testament Professor 1111 North Main Street Joplin, MO 64801 417-626-1234, ext. 9999 page.chris@occ.edu Dr. Page was my professor for three classes at Ozark Christian College. He has become a trusted mentor in my life. Dr. Page can best be contacted Monday, 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.; Wednesday-Saturday, 2:00-7:00 p.m.

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GO: Before the Interview Know the Ministry If you can walk into an interview and start talking about their specific ministry, its mission, and beliefs, you are off to an exceptional start! Here’s how to get familiar: 1. Network. Talk to others who are from that area, who grew up in that church, who interned at that organization, whose dad knows a board member, professors who have visited, your youth minister who went to college with the children’s minister’s husband, etc. A unique thing about the church is that there are connections everywhere! Ask them to share their thoughts about the ministry, pros and cons, and suggestions of good questions for you to ask at the interview. Networking will also allow you to name drop in your interview. 2. Check out the website. Many churches and organizations have a website where they post their mission statement, doctrinal beliefs, goals for their ministries, the type of people group they reach, etc. You might even be asked directly in an interview what you know about their ministry. Along with interview preparation, it’s wise to know if you even agree with the doctrine and foundation of their ministry. 3. Visit. If you are within traveling distance, visit the church or ministry first. Can you see yourself serving here? What are the red flags? What are they doing well? Can you see yourself settling down here? Observe how the staff interacts with one another and other people. Ask for a tour and meet the employees. From the moment you get off a plane or out of the car, to the way you socialize and chit-chat and handle yourself in the crowded worship service, you are always being watched and evaluated. Will they like what they see?

Know Yourself

There is a lot for you to check and know about the ministry you are interviewing for, but you need to remember they are also finding out all they can about you! They are asking their network contacts about you and looking at your social media accounts. They are stalking you. Return the favor and stalk them! You are always “on” with a ministry interview. From the moment you get off a plane or out of the car, to the way you socialize and chit-chat and handle yourself in the crowded worship service, you are always being watched and evaluated. Will they like what they see?

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Practice Questions Along with researching the ministry, be familiar with the job description and requirements. This way you can anticipate specific questions you will be asked about the job. But don’t stop at knowing information. Practice, practice, practice. You need to show how your philosophy and personality fits with the position. Record yourself answering questions, have a friend interview you, or visit the Ministry Center for a mock interview.           



What are your weaknesses/strengths? Why should we hire you? What are three positive things your last employer would say about you? What salary are you seeking? Do you see yourself in this position for a long time? What are some parts of the job description that you are drawn to? Why? What parts of the job description will be hard to motivate yourself to complete? Why? What can you tell us about our ministry/church/organization? What are your first impressions about our church/ministry? Why do you want to work here? What is your philosophy of ministry?

        

How does your philosophy manifest itself in the day-to-day? What are your goals? What does your ideal work week look like? What are you looking for in a mentoring relationship? How do you view your relationship with the elders? Describe your personal spiritual practices? What is consistent or inconsistent in these areas? Be prepared to answer questions about content from your social media accounts. Are there any skeletons in your closet that would tarnish the reputation of this church/ministry? How do you plan to deal with ministry conflict? Provide examples. Do you have any questions for us?

This last question is a vital part of the interview that a lot of people neglect to prepare for. “No” is not a sufficient answer. Prepare thought-provoking questions:  Ask questions that stem from their vision, mission and values.  “Your mission statement says FCC exists to ‘Show Love and Share Christ.’ Can you share some ways that your leadership and congregation are practically doing this?”  Ask questions that reflect your interest in future expansion of the ministry.  “I noticed your building campaign is to help support your growing children’s ministry. How has your congregation responded to this?”  Ask what happened to the last person in that position.  Ask them to describe the ideal person for the job.  Ask well-thought “why” questions, including why they were attracted to this ministry.  Examples, “Why did you personally choose to work for this organization?”, “Why did you pursue full-time ministry at this specific church?” or “Why has there been high turnover with this position?” More ministry specific interview questions you can expect: http://cbshouston.edu/images/pdf/careerServices/InterviewQuestions.pdf

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Final Thoughts Before the Interview12 1. Become familiar with the location and how long it takes for you to get there. Know where to park and where the interview will be held. If possible, practice driving there the day before. 2. Arrive 15 minutes early. 3. Bring several copies of your resume and carry them in a simple folder or portfolio. 4. Bring typed references—names, addresses, numbers, relation, and best times to call. 5. Bring identification, SSN, work portfolio if needed, note pad, and a working pen. 6. If something happens and you are going to arrive late, call and explain what happened. 7. Realize that you are being watched from the moment you step out of your car—the janitor cleaning floors as you walk in the building, the secretary that greets you, and the volunteer prepping her classroom for Sunday morning. Any of them could report back to the person who interviewed you and tell him/her their first impression of you. Make sure it’s positive.

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13

Dress and Appearance You want your gifts and abilities to stand out. Your dress and appearance should not be a distraction from them.  Have good hygiene and wear your hair professionally.  Avoid strong perfumes or cologne.  Limit the exposure of tattoos and piercings.  Bring a portfolio to organize and store documents.  Always iron your attire and make sure you are well put together.  Avoid large logos and be aware of what they represent.  Keep mints with you.  No jeans, t-shirts or tennis shoes.  Women: Wear clear or natural nail polish. Avoid bright colors and avoid excessive jewelry.  Men: Groom facial hair or shave.  It’s better to be overdressed than under. If you’re not sure what’s appropriate, ask.  Remember you are being interviewed by people from a variety of generations and cultures.

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GO: During the Interview When you first walk in, greet the interviewer with a firm handshake, smile, and make good eye contact. This demonstrates confidence. During your interview, have a sense of humor. People are drawn to happy, optimistic people. Make the interview conversational. Find the balance between being a blabber mouth and a zombie. Listen, ask questions, and give generous answers. If the interviewer says you don’t have a certain skill or enough experience, don’t just shrug your shoulders. Fight for what you want. Tell them you’re a quick learner, a hard worker, and that you deliver more than what’s expected. Let them know you will be one of the best staff members they hire.

Add life to your answers. Include lots of detail and use body language when telling your story.

Dos & Don’ts14 Dos:     

Leave your cell phone and purse in the car. If a friend drives you, ask them to wait in the car. Offer a copy of your resume at the start. Sit up straight and lean slightly forward in your chair. Show your enthusiasm by keeping an interested expression. Nod and make positive gestures.  Establish a comfortable amount of personal space between you and the interviewer. Invading personal space could make the interviewer feel uncomfortable and take the focus away from your conversation.  If you have more than one person interviewing you, make sure you briefly address all people with good eye contact (without looking like a tennis spectator) and return your attention to the person who asked the question.  Answer the question that’s being asked. If needed, pause for a moment, take a breath, and answer the question. Not sure how to answer? Ask if you can come back to it later.  Interruptions can happen. If they do, refrain from staring at your interviewer while the immediate business is being addressed. Motion your willingness to leave if needed.  Give references upon request.  When the interview is over, thank the interviewer for taking time to meet with you and offer a handshake.  If the interviewer mentions when he/she will make a decision, ask if you could call to inquire about the decision. Don’ts:  Consistently rub the back of your head, neck, or face.  Sit with your arms folded across your chest.  Chew gum during the interview.  Cross your legs and idly shake one over the other.  Lean your body towards the door.  Slouch back in your seat.  Stare back blankly. This is a look people naturally adapt when they are trying to distance themselves.

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Phone/Skype Interviews Phone and Skype interviews are becoming more and more common, especially when applying for a job that is a great distance from your current location. The previous tips on preparation before and during an interview still apply. Below you will find additional information that will be helpful precisely for interviews over the phone or Skype. For phone interviews:15  Choose a quiet place with no distractions. The Ministry Center is available to use for privacy. Your dorm room is not a proper place for phone or Skype interviews.  Dress for the interview. Wear your interview attire with shoes and the whole nine yards. This puts you into the proper frame of mind for the interview.  Set up your interview space at a spacious desk or table, with plenty of privacy. Set up your laptop or index cards with some short mental cues that you can quickly refer to when responding.  Make a one-page cheat sheet of the ministry with the names of the staff and their ministry focus, and set it next to you.  Do NOT put any pieces of writing near you that will distract you or that require close reading. You must be prepared to speak quickly and conversationally and naturally.  Have a tablet and pen next to you to take notes as questions are asked. You may be given a compound question. Make a note of each part of the question to be able to address each in your response. For Skype interviews:  Test your computer and internet connection beforehand. Make sure the camera and microphone both work. Position yourself in good lighting so the camera picks up your face clearly.  Turn off your cell phone.  Close down any computer programs or apps that will distract you.  Dress thoroughly for the interview. This includes the The Ministry Center is pants or skirt, shoes, etc. that will be out of sight of the available to use for camera. privacy. Your dorm room  You may set up a few cue cards around your Skype is not a proper place for space, but be very cautious that you don’t give the phone or Skype impression of constantly looking off-screen before interviews. speaking. If you can control your eye movements, then the cue cards are useful. If you cannot, then skip them.  Keep the ministry cheat sheet, but it is even more important that you have nothing around you that will distract you from the interview.  The pen and paper are valuable here, as well. It is fine, even in an in-person interview, to have a pen and paper in front of you to jot a minimal note or two as questions are being asked.

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GO: After the Interview 1. Pray.16 Continue seeking God’s guidance. 2. Send a hand-written thank you note. Thank them for meeting you and mention the date and job title you interviewed for. Express that you want the job and give a couple reasons why they should offer it to you. Say you’d like to call in about a week to see if they made a decision. Send the note within 24 hours of your interview. What if you don’t want the job? Send a thank you anyway and say you’ve decided to seek employment elsewhere. Be respectful and professional. 3. Consider if you want the position. Think beyond the job and ministry in itself. Do the benefits and salary meet your needs? How is the location? Is there a decent school system? Are you at peace living in that small/big of a city? Is the current staff one you could see yourself being compatible with? There are no right or wrong answers to these questions. Whether it means living comfortably or being challenged, what matters most is responding to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. 4. Call the minister/manager. A week after the interview, call to see if they’ve made a decision. This shows you’re the kind of person who gets things done. “I’m very interested in that position, and I thought I might follow-up to see if you’ve made a decision.” If leaving a message, be sure to leave your name, number, and the date you interviewed. Don’t make them try to figure out who you are. What if you don’t get the job? Continue prepping for other interviews. Don’t give up! Seek improvement each time. Ask for honest feedback of why you didn’t get the job. Ask if there is anything you could have improved on your resume or in the interview. The feedback may sting a bit, but it is worth it if you are sharpened for the next time.

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GO: Your First Week on the Job 

  



  

Be prepared for anything. Remember your true job description is to advance the Kingdom of God through serving and loving Christ, His Bride, and the lost. You may be asked to do some things that are not related to your specific ministry. Set up your office prior to the first day, if possible. This way, you waste no time in getting your ministry started. Be very familiar with your job responsibilities. You will face a lot of distracting adjustments working in a new place. Know what’s expected so you can stay focused and on track. Introduce yourself. Get to know the staff. You hope your new co-workers will make an effort to meet you, but don’t assume they will. Make the first move. This gives a great first impression. Ask good questions. Not asking questions can leave you stuck and not able to work to your full potential. Assess your questions first. You don’t want questions to be annoying or ones you should already know the answer to. Remember answers you’re given so you don’t have to repeat questions. Connect socially and professionally. Grab coffee or lunch with as many people as you can. Write a few thank you notes. Thank those who went out of their way to reach out to you throughout your transition. Recognize the transition. Unless hired in a brand new position, there was a person who held this job before you. Be prepared to, at times, live in the shadow of your predecessor. Coworkers and church members will probably put you there unintentionally, so try not to take it personally. They are transitioning too, and with time those situations should fade. Remember your true job description is to advance the Kingdom of God through serving and loving Christ, His Bride, and the lost.

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GO: Graduate Schools and Seminaries Jumping into full-time ministry or a career may not be what you’re seeking. Maybe you’d like to continue your education. There are many exceptional graduate schools and seminaries. Below you will see a list of schools from the Restoration Movement. School

Location

Website

Number

Cincinnati Bible Seminary Emmanuel Christian Seminary Hope International University Johnson University

Cincinnati, OH

www.ccuniversity.edu

513-244-8100

Johnson City, TN

www.ecs.edu

423-926-1186

Fullerton, CA

www.hiu.edu

714-879-3901

Knoxville, TN

www.johnsonu.edu

865-573-4517

Lincoln Christian University Summit Theological Seminary TCM International Institute

Lincoln, IL

www.lincolnchristian.edu

888-522-5228

Peru, IN

www.summit1.edu

765-472-4111

Indianapolis, IN

www.tcmi.edu

317-299-0333

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Ministry Openings 1. Ozark Christian College www.occ.edu/ministryopenings Twitter: @ozarkministry 2. Saint Louis Christian College www.stlchristian.edu/ministry-opportunities 3. Lincoln Christian University www.lincolnchristian.edu/churches/open-ministry-listings.php 4. Manhattan Christian College www.mccks.edu/partners/career-opportunities 5. Cincinnati Christian University www.ccuniversity.edu/career-services 6. Mid-Atlantic Christian University www.macuniversity.edu/jobs 7. Hope International University www.hiu.edu/about-hiu/human-resources/ministry-opportunity-network 8. Central Christian College of the Bible www.cccb.edu/alumni-friends/ministry-openings 9. Kentucky Christian University www.kcu.edu/ministry-openings 10. Point University www.pointuniversity.collegejc.com/

Other Resources 1. Church employment search www.churchstaffing.com 2. LinkedIn: World’s Largest Professional Network www.linkedin.com 3. Sling Shot Group: Relational staffing and coaching services for Christian leaders www.slingshotgroup.org 4. Myers-Briggs personality test ($) www.discoveryourpersonality.com 5. Free “Myers-Briggs” personality tests www.16personalities.com www.humanmetrics.com 6. Online resume builder ($) www.myperfectresume.com 7. Christ’s Church of the Valley Leadership Institute (Residency Program) www.ccvonline.com/Arena/default.aspx?page=17641

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Notes 1

Questions adapted from Harry Dahlstrom, The Job Hunting Handbook (Holliston: Dahlstrom & Company, Inc., 2012), 6-7. Resume Writing, “Why Your Resume Is Important,” http://www.virtualville.com/employment_agency/resume_writing.html#1, quoted in Dr. Gary B. Zustiak et al., Student Ministry that Leaves a Mark (Joplin: College Press Publishing Company, 2003), 58. 2

3

Q&A adapted from Dahlstrom, 12.

Vocatio Center for Life Calling and Career, “Your Guide to Ministerial Resumes,” Union University, accessed June 25, 2014, http://www.uu.edu/studentservices/vocatiocenter/pdfs/MinisterialResumePacket.pdf. 4

Ministry Referral Office, “Guidebook for Preparing Ministerial Resumes,” The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, accessed July 10, 2014, http://www.sbts.edu/documents/ministry_res/GuidebookforPreparingMinisterialResumes.pdf. 5

List adapted from Dahlstrom, 14; Jones, Dr. Dawn. “How to Create a Stand-Out OnePage Resume.” 2014 Job Search Handbook for Educators, 2014, 7; J.T. O’Donnell, “6 Smart Resume Guidelines For Professionals in 2013” Careerealism. Flash video file. http://www.careerealism.com/smart-resume-guidelines-2013/ (accessed June 25, 2014). 6

Thesaurus adapted from University Career Services, “Resume Thesaurus,” Northwestern University, accessed July 20, 2014, http://www.northwestern.edu/careers/media/pdfs/Action%20Verbs.pdf. 7

Resume adapted from CAREEREALISM TV, “6 Smart Resume Guidelines for 2013” YouTube. HTML5. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6pGuWE7PLw#t=11 (accessed June 6, 2014). 8

Pointers adapted from Debra Reeder, “Anatomy of a Cover Letter,” 2014 Job Search Handbook for Educators, 2014, 13. 9

Example cover letter adapted from the Ministry Referral Office, “Cover Letters for Ministerial Resumes,” The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, accessed June 5, 2014, http://www.johnsonu.edu/JohnsonUniversity/media/System/Career%20Services/Cover-Lettersfor-Ministerial-Resumes.pdf. 10

Tips adapted from material compiled by MSSU Career Services, “References,” Missouri Southern State University. 11

12

Thoughts adapted from Dahlstrom, 37.

CHCP’s Career Services, “How to Dress for a Job Interview [UPDATED] (graphic), The College of Health Care Professions, accessed July 20, 2014, http://www.chcp.edu/blog/how-dress-job-interview-updated. 13

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Dos and Don’ts list adapted from material compiled by MSSU Career Services, “Interview Body Language,” Missouri Southern State University. 14

Phone and Skype pointers adapted from Karen Kelsky, “Rocking the Phone/Skype Interview,” The Professor Is In, 10/31/11, accessed July 11, 2014, http://theprofessorisin.com/2011/10/31/thephoneorskypeinterview/. 15

16

List adapted from Dahlstrom, 46-47.

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Bibliography CAREEREALISM TV, “6 Smart Resume Guidelines for 2013” YouTube. HTML5, accessed June 6, 2014, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6pGuWE7PLw#t=11. CHCP’s Career Services, “How to Dress for a Job Interview [UPDATED] (graphic), The College of Health Care Professions, accessed July 20, 2014, http://www.chcp.edu/blog/howdress-job-interview-updated. Dahlstrom, Harry. The Job Hunting Handbook. Holliston: Dahlstrom & Company, Inc., 2012. Jones, Dr. Dawn. “How to Create a Stand-Out One-Page Resume.” 2014 Job Search Handbook for Educators, 2014. Kelskey, Karen. “Rocking the Phone/Skype Interview,” The Professor Is In, 10/31/11, accessed July 11, 2014, http://theprofessorisin.com/2011/10/31/thephoneorskypeinterview/. Ministry Referral Office, “Cover Letters for Ministerial Resumes,” The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, accessed June 5, 2014, http://www.johnsonu.edu/JohnsonUniversity/media/System/Career%20Services/CoverLetters-for-Ministerial-Resumes.pdf. Ministry Referral Office, “Guidebook for Preparing Ministerial Resumes,” The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, accessed July 10, 2014, http://www.sbts.edu/documents/ministry_res/GuidebookforPreparingMinisterialResumes. pdf. MSSU Career Services, “Interview Body Language,” Missouri Southern State University, print. MSSU Career Services, “References,” Missouri Southern State University, print. O’Donnell, J.T., “6 Smart Resume Guidelines For Professionals in 2013” Careerealism. Flash video file, accessed June 25, 2014, http://www.careerealism.com/smart-resumeguidelines-2013/. Reeder, Debra. “Anatomy of a Cover Letter.” 2014 Job Search Handbook for Educators, 2014. Resume Writing. “Why Your Resume Is Important.” http://www.virtualville.com/employment_agency/resume_writing.html#1. Quoted in Zustiak, Dr. Gary B., John Mouton, Kevin Greer, and Josh Finklea. Student Ministry that Leaves a Mark. Joplin: College Press Publishing Company, 2003. University Career Services, “Resume Thesaurus,” Northwestern University, accessed July 20, 2014, http://www.northwestern.edu/careers/media/pdfs/Action%20Verbs.pdf.

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Vocatio Center for Life Calling and Career, “Your Guide to Ministerial Resumes,� Union University, accessed June 25, 2014, http://www.uu.edu/studentservices/vocatiocenter/pdfs/MinisterialResumePacket.pdf. Zustiak, Dr. Gary B., John Mouton, Kevin Greer, and Josh Finklea. Student Ministry that Leaves a Mark. Joplin: College Press Publishing Company, 2003.

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