Ok, you’ve made it past the application stage and you have an interview, so what next?  Interviews can be so daunting, and I’m so nervous.  I’ve been there too.  First thing, sit down and pray, I’m serious, pray, pray that God will give you the peace of mind and the wisdom to answer their questions with confidence.  If God is in this, He will not let you down and he will give you the tools you need.  Remember Moses, God asks him to go to Pharaoh and ask to set His people free.  Moses says, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh?” God replies, “I will be with you.”  Then Moses says, What if they do not believe me?”  God replies by giving Moses’ staff the ability to change into a snake.  Still not convinced, Moses says, “O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.”  God, now quite angry that Moses is not trusting in him to help him do this task, says. “I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.”

 

When we hand things completely over to God, I believe that He is trustworthy and will give us the tools we need to do what he asks us to do, and I have experienced that first hand.  Trust God in this.

 

One important thing is to be yourself, if you are going to get the position, you need to get it because of who you are, not who you could pretend to be.  If they are going to employ you, let it be for the gifts and skills you have. God has given you your gifts, skills and personality for a purpose, so trust in who you are in Christ.

 

It is also a good idea to write a list of questions that you would like to ask of them, such as..

 

Q.1)        What is your theology in regards to Jesus as the Son of God?  This is a very  important question, I was a youth worker at a church some time ago and had not asked this question at the interview, and I discovered that where the minister was, was not where I was.  He informed me that I needed to become more liberal if I was going to minister effectively at his church, I did not want to become liberal, so I left.  You need to find out where the church and the ministry are at in their theology to make sure that it is not to far removed from where you are.

Q.2)        Do I get holidays?  There are still many churches out there who do not have experience in looking after paid members in ministry as many youth workers and ministers will tell you.

Q.3)        What exactly will I be responsible for?  It is vital that you know and understand exactly what they want from you, and how many hours they want you to work.

Q.4)        Can I have a  specific day off?  This is vital for anyone in ministry, especially if you have a family.  If you lose your family, you lose your ministry as well.

Q.5)        Do you expect my wife to be involved in ministry?  There are still churches that have an expectation of wives being involved in ministry as well as their husbands.

Q.6)        Do I get paid expenses?  It is important that you are supported in this area and not buying everything you need yourself.

Q.7)        Is there a Youth Workers Support Team, and if not can we make one?  It is vital that churches care pastorally for their youth workers & ministers.

Q.8)        Who will pay my tax?

Q.9)        Do I get superannuation?

Q.10)    How will I get paid?

 

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