One Thing Nobody Does in Parish Ministry Job Interviews
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Are you looking for a way to stand out in your next parish ministry job interview? Here’s one simple thing that I’m shocked almost no one does—yet it could dramatically increase your chances of getting hired and enhance your ministry as a whole.
Stand Out in Parish Ministry Job Interviews
In my 10 years of parish ministry, I’ve been on both sides of the interview table—applying for positions and interviewing potential hires. One thing that consistently surprises me is how few ministers can articulate this one crucial thing: a clear ministry framework.
What is a Ministry Framework?
A framework is a simple structure for organizing a complex idea. In ministry, a framework provides clarity, not just for job interviews, but for your entire approach to ministry. It helps you communicate your vision, recruit volunteers, and get your pastor or parish staff on board with your goals.
The best ministry frameworks give a clear definition of your goal and outline the strategy you’ll use to achieve it. It simplifies decision-making and helps you communicate effectively with others.
Why a Framework is Critical in Interviews
Imagine this: You’re in an interview and the pastor asks, “Tell me about your approach to ministry.” Now, instead of fumbling through a vague explanation, you confidently respond with a clear, structured framework. Not only does this make you look organized and prepared, but it shows that you’ve put serious thought into how you’ll lead and guide the parish.
In my interviews—both as an applicant and as an interviewer—I always look for whether someone can articulate their framework for ministry. It’s a great indicator of how well they understand their role and how clearly they can communicate their strategy.
Common Ministry Frameworks You’ve Probably Seen
Frameworks are everywhere in ministry, even if you haven’t noticed them before.
For example:
Sherry Weddell’s Forming Intentional Disciples outlines the thresholds of conversion. FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students) uses Win, Build, Send.
Pat Lencioni’s The Five Dysfunctions of a Team offers a leadership framework.
The Amazing Parish identifies three building blocks of a healthy parish.
Even the catechumenate process for initiating adults into the Church is a framework with distinct stages.
The good news? You don’t have to create your own framework from scratch. You can learn from others, adopt their frameworks, or modify them to fit your ministry context—just be sure to acknowledge where the ideas come from.
How to Articulate Your Framework in an Interview
When asked about your approach to ministry, here’s an example of how you can present your framework:
“I believe this parish ministry exists to evangelize. My framework for evangelization is based on forming missionary disciples through a clear path of discipleship. I break this path down into four stages: Connect, Encounter, Grow, and Serve.”
This response provides structure, clarity, and leaves room for deeper questions. Each element of the framework (evangelization, missionary discipleship, connect/encounter/grow/serve) can be expanded upon as the interview continues.
How to Develop Your Own Ministry Framework
Ready to get started? Follow these steps:
Read and Pray: Immerse yourself in ministry books, frameworks, and prayer.
Clarify Your Purpose: Ask yourself, “What is the purpose of my ministry?”
Define Your Strategy: Next, ask, “How will I achieve this purpose?”
Highlight Key Components: Identify the three to four most important aspects of your approach.
The more you refine these answers, the clearer your framework will become.
Want to Learn More?
For those interested in going deeper into framework thinking, I highly recommend two resources:
Pat Lencioni’s book, The Ideal Team Player. While frameworks are essential, Lencioni’s insights into the qualities of a great team player—humble, hungry, and smart—are invaluable for making sure you get that job offer.
If this idea interests you and you’re in parish ministry, be sure to check out more in-depth videos on my YouTube channel!
