From Seminarian to Minister

As it happens, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) does have its own version of ZipRecruiter. It is called "Church Leadership Connection," or "CLC" (https://clc.pcusa.org). Once your presbytery approves you to begin seeking a call, you will be able to post a "Personal Discernment Profile" (PDP) on the site that can then be matched with "Ministry Discernment Profiles" (MDPs) posted by congregations and agencies seeking ministerial leadership. You will also be able to use the "Opportunity Search" page (also accessible from the "Discerning your Call" search tool on the CLC homepage) to find openings for which you may be able to "self-refer" (be aware, however, that not all positions will accept self-referrals). If you have a CLC account and are logged in to the system, you can go to the site's "Applicants and Positions Report" page to see real-time information about the number of calls and call-seekers active in the system--even before you are approved to circulate a PDP on CLC.

It is important to know, however, that not all ministry openings in the PC(USA) are required to be listed in CLC. There are a variety of reasons why this might be the case. So, how can you learn about these openings? In the same ways you would in other vocations. You will need to utilize your networks. Check with your seminary's placement office to see what congregations and agencies may have listed openings with them. Ask your presbytery's leadership about opportunities within the presbytery, or that they may be aware of in other presbyteries.

Most importantly, be open to where the Spirit may be leading you. As we noted earlier, your first call may not have much in common with the congregation in which you first sensed a call to ministry but it could be exactly the place that is needing your gifts to enable them to flourish in the next phase of their communal life and service.