Pastoral ministry job interviews are unlike any job interview you’ll ever have. I’ve been questioned by numerous search teams in my quest for local church positions over the years, and no two have been the same.

Many asked me about theology: What do I believe about salvation? Can we lose it? Does God choose us or do we choose him? Am I premillennial or amillennial? Some focused on my spiritual qualifications: How do I guard my heart from internet porn? What does my devotional life look like?

If I learned anything from these interviews it was this: Even as they interview me, I need to interview them. Pastoring a local church is a two-way relationship, so every candidate should go into these sessions ready with gracious but specific questions. In the featured article below, “10 Questions Pastoral Candidates Should Ask a Search Team,” I’ve tried to distill the most important things you should ask if you find yourself interviewing for a ministry job.