Pastor search timelines vary widely according to factors such as how much closure is needed with previous clergyperson, what ministry position is open (senior minister searches often take longer than associate minister searches), how recently your church conducted a search (some of the self-study aspects may carry over from another search, if done in the last couple of years), how involved your judicatory expects to be, and how big the pool of good-fit candidates is. Here are the typical ranges for well-conducted pastor searches.

• Engaging in congregation-wide pre-search self-examination and discernment: up to a year.
• Laying the groundwork for a high-functioning pastor search team and process: 1-3 months.
• Inviting ministers to consider your open position and gathering profiles/resumes: 2-4 months.
• Reading through profiles/resumes and determining whom to interview: 1-3 months.
• Interviewing and doing due diligence with ministers: 3-6 months.
• Extending a call and finalizing details of the covenant: 2 weeks - 1 month.
• Assisting incoming minister with transition: up to 1 year.

Don't let these time frames intimidate you. You will be doing good work that will bear fruit for years to come. Your time will be well spent.