Jun 28, 2013 5 min read

Scripture reading: Matthew 4:18-22. Text: “As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. ‘Come, follow me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will make you fishers of men.’ At once they left their nets and followed him.” Matthew 4:18-19.

In some denominations, pastors are relocated during the summer months. There are congregations where the pastors are elected for lifetime. On the other hand, some are elected for only a few years. Theoretically, it is impossible to decide which system is better. Both have advantages and disadvantages. Let us look at a few issues involved in keeping or changing the spiritual leader of local or yoked congregations.

PASTORS, AS WELL AS CONGREGATIONS, HAVE THEIR UNIQUE CHARACTERISTICS AND TRAITS.

One of our professors in the seminary said: “There are pastors who would move on quite frequently; however, there are also congregations where no minister can stay long.” From the general viewpoint, most of the congregations have wonderful church members and most of the pastors are dedicated, faithful servants of the Lord. There is not enough space here to analyze the present situations in churches in detail. We can mention only a few basic observations.

How long does it usually take a new pastor to learn who is who and what goes on behind the scenes in a congregation? I would say it takes about three years for a pastor to learn who is related to whom, what went on in the past and why the previous pastor/s left. Also the church members need time to find out that their new pastor is not the same as the previous one. It is often said “Change is needed” but a quick and unprepared-for change could be soon regretted.

The predecessor-successor relationship. Following a strict, a.k.a. conservative, pastor it is easy for the new pastor to be a permissive, friendly and popular minister. However, after things get out of control due to liberal policies, change is needed and the new pastor, wishing to restore the respect of the ministry, will soon become unpopular. The rule of the thumb is when a minister is liked, he/she cannot do anything wrong. However, when he/she is disliked, the minister cannot do anything right.

The unfavorable influence of the world. In congregations where the pastor is elected, the church members often elect the pastor with the same mind they elect their political leaders. Whoever promises the most and asks for the least will get the majority of the votes. If a pastor wishes to be elected, should he/she resort to the pattern of the politicians? Is he/she going to be able to keep the promises made? You know the answer.

The hidden agenda. There are laws (traditions/ways to do things) that are unwritten, yet most of the people know about and apply them. They are hardly mentioned. One of these undisclosed policies is: “If you wish to chase away your pastor, do not go to church and do not donate, because when the sanctuary and the treasury are empty, he/she will have to leave.” Here comes an even more subtle and disguised dilemma: Which one was first, the chicken or the egg? Do people not come to church because the clergy are not up to par or do they not want to donate, therefore, do not come to church using the excuse that the clergy do not meet the expectation? Which one was first?

The personality conflict. The basic question is: do you lead by serving or do you serve by leading? Some pastors wish to be the leader of the congregation by the strict interpretation of the word and expect unconditional obedience from the members. On the opposite side, the power-thirsty church member/s may say, “Rev., we pay you. Do whatever we tell you.” The customer who pays tells the sales clerk what he/she is going to buy. How wide is the gap between strong leadership and dictatorship? If leadership is needed, how should it be practiced? If an uncooperative attitude goes unchecked, the leader (if the pastor is the leader) can only ask for favor. (We are democratic!)

The relationship between the congregation and the denomination. The organized church does not end at the gate of the congregation’s yard. We need hymnals, religious publications, seminaries and missionaries that only the denomination can provide. Also, to function, the denomination needs the financial support of the congregations.

How wonderful it would be if we could distinctively hear Jesus’ call and would respond to it as positively as Peter and Andrew did: “‘Come, follow me'” and “at once they left their nets and followed him.” Please see our text.

The Rev. Alexander Jalso is a retired United Presbyterian minister living in Ligonier.