The stress of being without a pastor often leads congregations to hurry the process, believing that they are being efficient. However, without serious reflection and discernment about who will truly be the best leader for your church’s mission and ministry, you will likely find yourself with a bad match or back searching again—earlier than you hoped.

Here are five things to consider:

Cynthia Woolever is coauthor of Leadership That Fits Your Church: What Kind of Pastor for What Kind of Congregation (St. Louis, MO: Chalice Press, 2012). You can also read her blog, Beyond the Ordinary.