THE YOUNG PASTOR IN AN OLDER CHURCH
Ways a young minister can gain acceptance and credebility in the established congregation.
Gary V. Simpson
April 1, 1991
I lied to the pulpit committee. Well, it wasn't an outright lie-it was perfected hyperbole.
"When you look at it, I have twenty-five years of pastoral experience," I said. "My father pastored all of my life. I lived with my father. That should count for something!"
As I candidated for my first senior pastorate, I felt compelled to compensate for my then twenty-six years. Whether or not this convinced them, they called me.
It was not to be an easy church, though. They had been without a pastor nearly two years. The leadership of the church was worn, the members restless. And I was young.
I had graduated two years earlier from a seminary with a progressive, nontraditional approach to ministry. The school was not a training ground for pastors, per se, but more of a launching pad for ministry beyond the walls of the local church-the world was to be our parish.
Excited by this concept, I still didn't want to make the mistake many seminarians make in their first parish: deciding to correct the church's "wrong way" of doing ministry. I knew many young pastors failed to establish the relationship of trust so necessary for changing a congregation without destroying it.
One young minister, soon after his arrival, guided (or misguided) by his theology of worship and reverence for the sanctuary, removed the portrait of a former pastor that hung in the sanctuary. Bad move!
His ministry was quickly over.
Established congregations hold suspect the maturity and wisdom of young pastors. There is a definite age bias in this line of work. Youthfulness can be a disadvantage. Then again, I found that if the right approach is taken, youthfulness can actually enhance one's ministry.
Modeling the Right Traits
I've heard it said that preaching is the only ...
Like the preview? To read this complete article
and 20,641 more in the archive—JOIN NOW!
Easily find high-quality, well-researched materials that provide a Christian perspective on topics ranging from headlines to history.
Start using this invaluable tool TODAY for preparing your Bible studies, presentations, class lectures, sermons, meetings, and more.
|
It's easy and quick to join:
Brought to You by Christianity Today Int'l |  |
|
| 
Find similar articles
E-mail this page
