After the initial acceptance of the offer, but before the contract is finalized, the search team may announce that the congregation has a candidate, but without revealing the identity of the candidate.

The announcement of the candidate’s name can be made when all of the following conditions are met:

1. There is complete agreement on the contract between the negotiating team and candidate.
2. The candidate has signed the proper releases to do a background check.
3. The candidate, if currently serving a congregation, has informed their current congregation of their candidacy
4. The candidate given consent for the search team to make an announcement to the congregation where they are the candidate.

When the conditions are met, the search team and candidate should mutually agree:

• that the announcement can be made
• what information about the candidate can be shared (a link to their website is standard)

The search team may want to write a brief introduction naming the candidate’s qualities that meet the expressed needs of the congregation.

The minister may want to make a brief video greeting to be shared as part of the announcement.