The Current Realities of Hiring

The church hiring landscape in 2025 looks different than ever before. If you’re building your next remarkable team, here’s what you need to know to navigate today’s realities with wisdom:

What Top Candidates Want

• Mission Alignment: Candidates want to join churches where the vision and values are clear and compelling. They’re seeking roles where their gifts will make a meaningful Kingdom impact.
• A Healthy Culture: Beyond job descriptions, people are drawn to teams marked by trust, collaboration, and authenticity.
• Growth & Development: Today’s leaders want opportunities to learn, grow, and be equipped, not just fill a seat.

Compensation Expectations Are Evolving

• Church staff salaries are rising faster than national averages, reflecting both cost-of-living increases and the value churches are placing on staff retention.
• Many candidates now expect some level of schedule flexibility. Churches offering adaptable models are attracting a broader, more diverse pool of talent.
• Candidates are weighing not just salary, but benefits, work-life balance, and a church’s commitment to their overall well-being.

As You Hire, Remember

• The most expensive hire is the wrong one. Prioritize alignment in theology, culture, and chemistry, not just skills. Slingshot can help solve this problem by helping you find candidates who truly fit, saving you from costly mistakes.
• Clarity in roles, honest conversations, and a shared vision are essential for building unity and momentum.
• Healthy churches are intentional about staffing ratios and resourcing teams for both current needs and future growth.

At Slingshot, we’re committed to helping churches like yours build teams that are healthy, resilient, and ready for what’s next. If you’re considering your next hire or rethinking your team structure, let’s connect. We’d love to be a resource as you discern your next steps.