THE INTENTIONAL ASSOCIATE
John Cionca
January 1, 1988
Pete, a friend who is an associate pastor, called me aside after the meeting. "John, do you have a few minutes to talk?" His question led to over an hour of discussion on the pros and cons of the associate pastorate. He was at a crossroads in his ministry and wanted to know, "Should I consider becoming a senior pastor?"
Later that month, following a gathering of pastors, another associate pastor told me that a church wanted him to candidate as senior pastor. "Is a senior pastorate really where the action is," he asked candidly, "or is the grass just greener on the other side of the fence?"
Having been on both sides of the senior/associate fence, I know this question is worth examining.
For over ten years I served two churches in associate roles. In Colorado I worked as a youth pastor under the direction of a sharp, CEO-type senior pastor. In Arizona I worked as a minister of education and associate pastor in a team relationship with a loving, general-practitioner senior pastor. As I developed personally and professionally, I felt an increasing desire to give more leadership direction and to preach more frequently. Those desires led to a fulfilling six-year senior pastorate on the East Coast.
From those experiences, I've learned that each position-senior or associate-enjoys unique advantages.
Advantages of the senior pastorate
The associate looking over the fence will notice many advantages of the senior pastorate. The senior pastor has greater influence, is more visible, and possesses greater power. If the senior pastor wants a faith-promise program or two worship services, he or she can usually lead the congregation in those directions. The senior pastor makes, shapes, or is consulted about every decision.
In addition, the associate ...
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