Is it you or is it me? The search for a NEW High School Pastor

We are heading into our 9th month of searching for a new High School Pastor. Our search team has looked at almost 200 resumes, but has only brought 3-4 candidates in for an interview. I'm not on the search team, so I can't tell you why no one has worked out. However, I can tell you they have exhausted their list and are back to square one. What's the problem?

Are we the problem? Is it our job description (is it too much, not enough, too complex, not detailed enough)? Is it our church (are we too old-school, too reformed, no clear vision, too white-bread)?

Are my fellow youth workers the problem? Is it their lack of experience and maturity? Is it their lack of vision? Do they have too much vision? Are their expectations too high? Are they afraid to take risks?

Then I hear about the many churches that are also on the market for High School Pastors. That brings to light a third possible problem: the other churches are the problem! Too many churches looking for the same experienced, educated, passionate, relational youth worker (who loves Jesus). That means that we better know what our problems are so that we can find the youth worker who has as few problems as possible before some other church with fewer problems than us snatches up the guy with the least amount of problems. Complicated? That's probably why we can't find a High School Pastor, huh?

Whatever the solution, please spread the word: there is a Middle School Pastor in Oak Brook, IL who is praying for a new High School Pastor everyday!