The candidacy process is a game of patience and perseverance. We've only been sending out information for a few months, but I am already tiring of the sending and waiting, sending and waiting cycle. We have only heard from a few of the churches we sent information to, and most of the responses we've gotten are folks saying, "thanks, but we've already filled the position..." Only two churches have asked for more information about me/us.
I wonder what is the ideal amount of information to send initially. Is it just a resume and cover letter (which is what I've done so far), that plus a Data Form, or something even more. Would I get more responses if I knew the perfect balance of information?
One of the churches that responded was kind enough to say, "please be patient, because we anticipate that it will take us a while to get to the next phase." Why couldn't more churches respect their applicants enough to do this? This is one more facet of the lack of balance in the candidacy process (I'll write more about this later).
I'll be sending out more information over the weekend. More waiting...
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Thanks for your comments, Travis. I think it is uncommon for pastoral candidates to be as bold in asking for information upfront; even less common is the urging to do so from someone like a seminary professor. I hope it pays off for you. I fear, however, that the candidate-church will balk at such a bold request...
I will be eager to hear more of the result.
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