I've used your website as an aide in the development of a resume, and for advice concerning the job search and interview process.
Chris Freeland
Compelling and Attractive
Stand out from the Crowd
Here are David's unvarnished, personal perspectives on great resumes. These are some of the "all time great" resumes that have been sent to David and are used with permission. David has hired scores of Ministers and looks at hundred of resumes each year. Also, check out these pages:
Now, for some great resumes ...
Paul Hofstetler
This is a resume that Realtime Republic Design has redone. Check out the difference between the old version and the new one.
Paul is a missionary returning to the states. His first version was a real "snooze."
He needed to: draw attention to his main points, have a sense of purpose and direction, add some color, add a photo and make it stand out from the crowd!
Justin Senesi
Here is a cover letter and resume that will knock your socks off. Justin Senesi said about writing his resume:
- I wanted to forward you a copy of my resume which I used last year (2008) while looking for a Senior Pastor Position. I looked at many of the resumes you had posted on Xpastor.org and used many of your ideas/thoughts in crafting it. As you will see, it is graphics “heavy” but I don’t think they detract from the pertinent information. Rather, I think they convey “who” I am and “what “ you’re getting in me.
- My resume was certainly successful as I was hired as a Senior Pastor of a church in Indiana (and was offered three other pastorates at different churches). Of course, it’s ultimately God’s leading, but a good resume never hurts. Therefore, I wanted to pass along my appreciation to you for having this information available on-line.
I also wanted to mention that I recently hired an Associate Pastor, and after looking over 100’s of resumes, I wish more people would take the time to put “compelling and attractive” resumes together. So many of them looked the same, sounded the same, and even used the standard Microsoft templates. If they would have taken to the time find a way to make their resumes stand out and differentiate them from the hundreds of others I think they would be amazed at how much more effective their job search would be.- So thank you again for placing these resources on the internet. It was a huge blessing to me and continues to be a site I visit for resources and materials.
Evan Miller
Here is a young guy who wants to serve Christ. Evan sent me his resume and asked for some advice.
I said, "Evan, give your resume a make-over. Dress it up so that people can easily see your experience and abilities."
He got back to me with a revised resume. Take a look and enjoy his fine work.
- Was hard to read, lots of detail, not well organized
- Had a photo that needed improvement
- Created a resume that looks creative, which is what I would want in a youth pastor
- Organized the material so that it flows. I can follow his thinking better.
- Has his contact information on every page. This is great!
Evan shows what cane be done a resume with some hard work, creative thinking, and good graphics.
Walt Pitman
Walt's XP resume has experience in a large church of 1,000 and a super large church of 5,000. Walt is doing what more and more have found great: he is using his own website to bring together all sorts of professional information about himself, walt.pitman.com
- Creative use of color
- Great quotes in the side margin to know what Walt values
- Helpful listing of his skills and abilities as documented by the SIMA (System for Identifying Motivated Abilities) process
- Some people include information on their spouse, as Walt did here. It is something to consider in building your resume
- Also note that the e-mail links and web site links are active in the pdf version. This is a nice touch.
Mark Dougharty
Mark presents an excellent XP resume, with an emphasis on "executive."
- Impeccable experience: accurate descriptions of his business and church work.
- Experience in a massive church. He notes: "Executive Pastor: COO responsibilities for all operations of the church. The church had 28,000 members, 360 acres of property, $90,000,000 of building assets, multiple committees, 170 active deacons, 200 staff members, 300 part time & seasonal staff members, and an annual budget of $24,000,000."
- Includes information about his wife's rich ministry. If someone may just hire Dianne!
- Adds a "current update" page to mention significant items from the last few years.
Rob Bollinger: XP Resume
Rob has an extremely strong resume. Most ministry resumes are now running 4-6 pages and his is right at the 6 page limit. I see many resumes and this one is a standout.
- The first page is extremely clear and has an amazingly warm family photo.
- The resume is colorful and graphically driven without taking away from the substance
- Rob's experiences are strong and his tenure in his positions is lengthy, a real plus.
- He developed powerful concepts to summarize his talents and abilities.
- This resume makes it easy to get to know Rob.
- Out of one hundred resumes, this one will be remembered.
Amanda Herron: a Children's or Family Ministry Position
Amanda's old resume was plain and colorless. She wants to work with kids and parents, so how should she present herself? Take a look at her new resume.
- Amanda added a color theme.
- She added a color photo.
- She put the resume in Adobe Reader format. The old one was in Word. Rememeber that Word can look quite different on other peoples computers. Fonts and spacing can change dramatically.
- Amanda also created a separate document of ministry photos (because of child protection issues of the images, that document is not available on the web).
- One suggestion would be to put her contact information on page 2. You always want your name and e-mail address on every page. Put them in the footer on pages 2 and following.
- While many ministry resumes are four to five pages, Amanda was concise and utilized two pages.
The result is a resume that does a great job of positioning her for a terrific ministry position. It lets the reader know of her gifts and experiences.
John Allison: Worship Pastor Resume
Since writing the comments for Buzz Matthews (below), I have come across another example of simple elegance. John Allisons' resume, like John, is articulate and thought provoking:
- Demonstrates the heart of an artist
- Illustrative background images on each page-stunning Words outline his face.
- John's abilities and diversity shine in this resume
- "I went to his web site, listened to his music & called him immediately"
- Terrific use of a personal web site (the wave of the future for all ministry applicants)
Buzz Matthews: Youth Pastor Resume
In the last five years, I have reviewed over one thousand resumes as I fill staff positions. Only twice have I asked a potential candidate for permission to post his/her resume on XPastor. Buzz Matthews' resume is outstanding with a simple elegance:
- Superlative photo-not your typical mug shot
- Different background images on each page-stunning
- Core competencies that spoke without shouting: "missional," "theological and biblical orientation, arts and creativity."
- Articulate, biblical, defined, purposeful, aesthetic
Judd Dickey: XP Resume
Judd's resume is clear and articulate. He combines good graphics, photos and text. His education is a strong asset for an XP role, as is his business background.
Judd uses the 5 Functions to explain how he can help a local church.
The first page is strong, with more primary information on the second page. The third and fourth pages contain data that "I will read if I am interested in him as a candidate." Page five has great references. Most ministry resumes are now about five pages and follow a similar format.
J.P. Gradone: XP Resume
While not as graphically appealing as the other resumes on the Great Resumes page, J.P.'s resume is a prime "executive" resume:
- Note the executive experience, going from corporate executive to Executive Pastor
- Begins with a great summary of qualifications
- Very clear grouping of employment history
Chris Vogelsang: Pastor of Small Groups
Chris developed the best cover page to a resume that I have seen. See the first page of his resume.
- He posts all his contact information at the top of each page. Since it is in a smaller type size, it doesn't get in the way, yet it is present! He is easy to contact.
- The crisp and professional color photo is relaxed yet polished.
- The Life Purpose clearly shares his vision for living.
- His education is on the front page, so I can easily see if he is within our preferences for a given position. The web addresses of the schools did not help me, but they are an innovative addition.
- The Experience section shares data in a flowing form. The bolded terms make it easy to read. On succeeding pages, he shared the data behind his overview paragraph by talking about each of his ministries with starting and stopping dates.
Because of this resume, Chris got an immediate phone call, which is virtually unheard of in our search process. As a candidate who lives locally, I invited him to lunch and heard his story. This resume stood out from 35 others and got immediate attention!
Because of Chris' resume, good contacts and God's providence, Chris is now the Pastor of Small Groups in a Fellowship Church.
John Gibson: Pastor of College
What a great resume to read! Take a look at John's original resume and then at John's revised resume:
- Great looking color picture-warm, personable and professional
- Fascinating use of key words in the left margin
- He hooks your interest on the first page
- Right on the first page, easy to get to know his personal and ministry mission
- Pages 2 and following have good, detailed information
- Contact information in the footer of each page, a nice addition for any Search Committee member
Because of John's resume, good contacts and God's providence, John is now the Pastor of College and Young Singles at Creek Baptist Church in Allen, Texas.
- Great heart for ministry that is easy to see.
- Education on the front page is good for Search Committee with scores of resumes to look through.
- Ministry experience begins on page 1. A huge item in my hiring checklist is ministry experience, especially quality and length in one church.
- Conversion on page 3. If I like the resume enough to read to page 3, then I want to know the conversion experience.
On the basis of this great resume, Cricket got a wonderful position in ministry! Check out Cricket's original resume and also Cricket's revised resume
Christy McFarland: Outreach Minister
- Amazing clarity
- Superb ministry
- Distinctive style
- Easy to read
- Hireable!
Because of Christy's resume, good ministry expereince and God's providence, Christy is became the Assistant Minister of Singles & Local Outreach at Northwest Bible Church of Dallas. Christy's resume
Rick Parks: 2005 & 2009
The 2005 resume for was for an Associate Director position
- Here is a resume that was e-mailed to me by Rick as a "cold call"
- Wonderfully different
- Easy to read
- Quickly see his heart
- Excellent use of Black and white
- Superb photo
Rick is now the Associate Director of Seeds International. One of their projects: "Project Seedbag provides children around the world with their own Bible, a 14 week children's Bible study, Seedlings, which covers the basic foundations of the Christian faith. Trained local teachers guide and mentor these children through the first steps of their Christian walk."
Rick Parks' 2005 resume.
Rick created a new resume in 2009. He said:
- Since 2005 my resume has changed dramatically. I am not really pursuing a new career at this moment. To make a long story short, I finally decided to do what I do best on my own and stop trying to fit the mold that I have always viewed as successful.
- To that end I am trying to develop my own business built around my passions. You will note the I borrowed a little bit from Rob Bollinger. I really like his approach. It inspired me.
- Thanks for your time David and thank-you for all the effort you have put into your website. Now that I am on the other side of the boardroom table from my pastor I often drop by and read through an article or two when I need a little guidance.
Cricket Keith: Women's Minister
