A perspective for local denominational organizations/judicatories on how they best empower their churches to serve from the base of their local context.
Posted on Another Social Media Site as a Response to the Original Posting of This Column on The Baptist Paper Site::
"Even if the ASM has preached numerous times in the church, and has a good relationship with the church, his responsibility is to stay back, unless he is a member of that church, or if he is asked BY THE BODY (not a committee or a person) to provide assistance. An unauthorized offer of assistance violates the autonomy of that church. Even if the Association has put it in his duties, to assist churches, they cannot authorize him to intervene in a local church issue. That church is supposed to be self-governing. If the church votes on a motion FROM WITHIN THE BODY, to ASK the ASM to help them, then, and only then, should he "step up" to offer assistance."
Comment from an director of an association of @100 churches after eight years of service: After working with 22 church pastor search teams, I have to say that I disagree with your article in The Baptist Paper. The leaving pastor usually puts the Pastor Search Team together. He also recommends that they contact me. The chairman of the committee usually is my first contact. The church often calls me in to do pulpit supply for the first couple of Sundays after the pastor leaves. However, my relationship is usually with the pastor and not the church membership.
We have more than 100 churches and knowing our pastors and connecting with them is very important, but it often doesn't go beyond that. That said, I do believe that the AMS should have several touches with the Pastor Search Committee. I ask to meet with them for 90 minutes at their second meeting. At the first of their meetings, they need to pray, get organized, and set meeting times. It's at the second meeting that we outline the needs of the church, community, and future pastor.
Once they get going, I circle back with the chairman at least monthly. Cincinnati is blessed to receive a number of resumes that are already on file when a church needs to begin the process. I will have at least talked with the prospective pastor for 30 minutes before handing off the resume. The AMS has a valuable role, but having a long-standing relationship with members of a church is rare, if at all.
Thank you for your continued writing. I am a faithful reader.
Directors of the Association should be able to guide and equip churches when they are without a pastor. They should know the church and their needs. However, they should then let the church committee function with the material and guidance of the association and then stay out of it until asked. The association can suggest names of pastors with resumes and let the committee pray and decide.
As an AMS I have found the key is longevity and patience. You are so right that it takes a trusting relationship with the laity of our congregations which is just really difficult to build in so many cases. Practically, how did you build these relationships and trust in your work as an AMS?
Posted on Another Social Media Site as a Response to the Original Posting of This Column on The Baptist Paper Site::
"Even if the ASM has preached numerous times in the church, and has a good relationship with the church, his responsibility is to stay back, unless he is a member of that church, or if he is asked BY THE BODY (not a committee or a person) to provide assistance. An unauthorized offer of assistance violates the autonomy of that church. Even if the Association has put it in his duties, to assist churches, they cannot authorize him to intervene in a local church issue. That church is supposed to be self-governing. If the church votes on a motion FROM WITHIN THE BODY, to ASK the ASM to help them, then, and only then, should he "step up" to offer assistance."
Comment from an director of an association of @100 churches after eight years of service: After working with 22 church pastor search teams, I have to say that I disagree with your article in The Baptist Paper. The leaving pastor usually puts the Pastor Search Team together. He also recommends that they contact me. The chairman of the committee usually is my first contact. The church often calls me in to do pulpit supply for the first couple of Sundays after the pastor leaves. However, my relationship is usually with the pastor and not the church membership.
We have more than 100 churches and knowing our pastors and connecting with them is very important, but it often doesn't go beyond that. That said, I do believe that the AMS should have several touches with the Pastor Search Committee. I ask to meet with them for 90 minutes at their second meeting. At the first of their meetings, they need to pray, get organized, and set meeting times. It's at the second meeting that we outline the needs of the church, community, and future pastor.
Once they get going, I circle back with the chairman at least monthly. Cincinnati is blessed to receive a number of resumes that are already on file when a church needs to begin the process. I will have at least talked with the prospective pastor for 30 minutes before handing off the resume. The AMS has a valuable role, but having a long-standing relationship with members of a church is rare, if at all.
Thank you for your continued writing. I am a faithful reader.
Directors of the Association should be able to guide and equip churches when they are without a pastor. They should know the church and their needs. However, they should then let the church committee function with the material and guidance of the association and then stay out of it until asked. The association can suggest names of pastors with resumes and let the committee pray and decide.
As an AMS I have found the key is longevity and patience. You are so right that it takes a trusting relationship with the laity of our congregations which is just really difficult to build in so many cases. Practically, how did you build these relationships and trust in your work as an AMS?