Introducing a new EFCC resource
There are loads of different ways that we help churches in the EFCC, but one of the most important is helping churches through the process of calling a pastor. This runs right from initial discussions with the church about the possibility of calling a pastor through to the ordination of the man and then onwards to continued support for the pastor.
In Ephesians 4:11, Paul the Apostle makes it clear that the pastor is a gift from the risen Lord Jesus Christ to the local church; having a pastor is a great biblical blessing. In the EFCC, we’re committed to ‘Exalting Christ in Growing Healthy Churches’ – a core part of this health is that each local church should have a pastor, ‘For the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ’ (Ephesians 4:12).
But some of our churches don’t currently have a pastor, and because of this, at the EFCC Day Conference 2026 we’re thrilled to release our new digital and print resource, ‘Calling a Pastor.’ It is a step-by-step guide to the whole process, with loads of practical help alongside the big biblical picture of church government under Christ for pastors, elders, deacons and members in a biblically healthy church. I’d really like to thank all those involved in writing and producing this resource.
If your church doesn’t have a pastor, we’d love to meet with you and walk through the resource with you. Grab some of the booklets or download the PDF for free, and talk to the EFCC Ministry Director or one of the Ministry Coordinators. We’d love to help you in your church. It’s a long process, but it is abundantly worthwhile! And if you’re reading this and are considering a call to the ministry, we’d love to talk with you, too–you may be one of Christ’s gifts to the church! That is seriously humbling and exciting.
Even if your church has a pastor, the ‘Calling a Pastor’ resource is an important refresher on lots of key biblical issues. It will help you think through some key biblical questions about church government. Issues like the differences between the pastor, the elders and the deacons; the role of the membership; and the way that the pastor, with the elders, leads the church.
The crucial starting point and way forward in calling a pastor is the prayerfulness of the church. Prayer is the foundation of all the ministries of the church, and without prayer, we shouldn’t expect the Lord’s blessing. Our hope and prayer is that the Lord will use this resource to build and strengthen our churches for his glory – and our joy!
