by Gary Straub (Author)
A change of pastoral leadership creates a special kind of stress and strain on a congregation. Your church may prefer the more practical starting points, such as appointing a search team, getting assistance from a denomination, shoring up finances, addressing maintenance issues, and developing a quick timeline. Then there are the deeper matters: grief work, sober evaluation of effectiveness, prayer around core reasons for being, attending matters of the heart around communal healing and reconciliation, and authentic conversation about who we are called to be for the sake of the Gospel and the world around us. Gary Straub articulates the dynamics of the pastoral search process from both sides of the equation. With more than 50 years of ministry experience-including calls to large congregations, interim positions, and coaching of pastoral candidates-Straub integrates practical advice with prayerful counsel. Healthy dialogue helps keep you passionately open to the Holy Spirit. Tactful Advice for Calling Your Next Pastor starts the dialogue and keeps it focused.
Author Biography
After serving three churches for 35 years and 11 interims, Gary Straub's current ministry adventure involves leadership consultations. After three Chalice Press books on leadership, his last 15 years have been devoted to serving with Bethany Fellows, an ecumenical coaching/mentoring ministry for young pastors during their first 5 years in the parish, where a 40% dropout rate prevails. Currently, Bethany Fellows enjoy a 90% retention rate. Straub has an undergraduate degree from Ozark Bible College, a Masters in Pastoral Care and Doctorate in Pastoral Psychology from Vanderbilt Divinity School, and a Master of Theology from Princeton Seminary. A certified Spiritual Director with Shalem Institute, he is also a credentialed Valwood Leadership Coach. Gary presently conducts strategic ministry consultations, retreats and workshops, search process conversations, prayer days and spirituality seminars. Straub has been married for more than 40 years to Geneva, a psychiatric nurse with extensive background in family and addiction counseling. They are active members of Middletown Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky. Their two grown daughters also live in Louisville, with assorted dogs, cats and 3 grandchildren.