Conducting an interview is no small task. And when you’re interviewing someone for a position on your church staff, the pressure can feel even more overwhelming. Not only are you trying to determine if this person will be a good fit for your team and a competent co-worker. You’re also trying to figure out if they will be a good and faithful shepherd of whatever area of ministry they will be working in if they join your church staff. 

That being said, we wanted to give you a list of questions you can ask during your next interview that will help give you discernment and insight into whether or not your interviewee will be a good candidate to fill the open position at your church.  

1. Why are you looking for a new job? 
2. How do you cope with stress? 
3. How would your friends describe you? 
4. What are your thoughts on mentorship? 
5. How do you handle conflict? 
6. What is your preferred work environment? 
7. What is your philosophy on personal development? 
8. How would you make the effort to invest in and pour into your volunteers? 
9. Have you ever worked in ministry before?  
10. If so, where did you work and what did you do? 
11. If not, why are you looking to get into ministry now? 
12. What aspects of your previous job(s) were life-giving, and what aspects were life-draining? 
13. How have you incorporated work-life boundaries in past jobs? 
14. What are your spiritual gifts? 
15. What are some professional weaknesses or blind spots you have, and what is your strategy to improve in these areas? 
16. Why do you think you would be a good fit for this role? 
17. Why do you think you would be a good fit for this church staff? 
18. What motivates you in the context of your work and career? 
19. How would you describe your own personal theology? 
20. Would you say that your personal ministry is more seeker-focused or discipleship-focused? Why? 
21. Do you have any long-term ministry goals? If so, what are they? 
22. Have you set any ministry goals that you’ve already accomplished? If so, what were they?