TYPES OF COVER LETTERS
Cover letters can be used in different ways to
respond to various situations. Ministers will
often employ at least three types of cover
letters in their search process. One type is the
“Personal Networking Cover Letter” used to
make contact with personal acquaintances
who can assist with one’s search. A second
type is the “Request for Referral Assistance
Cover Letter” written to formally request the
help of referral offices or personnel in sharing
a candidate’s résumé for vacant ministry
positions. It would typically be written to
accompany one’s résumé when it is being sent
to referral assistance offices at seminaries
or universities, to state convention church-
minister relations offices, or to directors of
missions in Baptist associations. A third type
of letter is the “Response Cover Letter ”
which is written in reference to a specific
position vacancy. It is used to respond to
position announcements found posted
on bulletin boards, in state convention
newspapers, on Internet web sites, etc.
Sample letters are included in the following
pages to show how these different types
of letters can be used. Candidates should
remember, however, that these examples
are not to be copied. Letters should be
personalized and written in one’s own
writing style.