As I heard these words, I knew that there was something very wrong with this philosophy of ministry. The Risks and Rewards of Being an Associate Pastor. The second chair approach to associate-senior pastor relationship is more often about power and authority. There is only one pastor, and therefore he is the pastor. Keep the smile on your face. 1. Ephesians 4:11-13 tells us that elders prepare and equip Gods people. Let him/her know of your major decisions, successes and barriers. Plus, one of the best things that can happen is that the associate will make good mistakes and learn from them. It took the first nine years of my ministry for me to learn that I was not cut out for associate work. Some of these relationships are easy to put in place if you put in a little effort. No spam, promise. In some ways, what John the Baptist said of himself applies to us as ministers. (Or a supportive husband, if your theology supports a female senior pastor. By the mere fact the BCO has the two different titles and it is very difficult for an associate to supersede a senior? 46 years as a lonesome Pastor. The staff model of ministry is expensive, doesnt really provide durability since people usually leave quickly, and is certainly not fluid in the postmodern sense. In many ways, the Assistant Pastor can be similar to the Associate Pastor. We had a situation in a PCA presbytery where a multi-site church. Our work is possible by the generosity of our readers. Even ministry area specialists can have vaguely defined roles, such as the associate who was told he was to be the education and youth guy. This ambiguity can fuel burnout and cause identity-in-ministry struggles. Instead, be ready to hear what they are trying to say. As long as the associate is performing well on the assigned tasks, whatever else he or she is able to do is fine. The title for this article, which was given to me, should tell the reader that's exactly how the invitation to write this piece felt. Yet serving as an associate pastor can offer unique opportunities and rewards. In my opinion, the answer is an unqualified "yes." It means youre there fundamentally to help the senior/lead pastor in his work, rather than simply accomplish an independent job. Habitually aligning yourself with the senior pastor is one of the most important things an executive can do to ensure he is delivering in his role. Dont be surprised if people test you. So please dont ask us to hear confidences about each other. In a context where there is more than one pastor, the senior pastor (or as is often used today, the lead pastor) is the main leader of the staff of a church. CenterPoint is a thriving church that has grown consistently over each of our 21 years. When that happens, no matter how well youre doing other parts of your job, you are failing to serve as an associate pastor. Both should take a posture of openness and acceptance of each others gifts, strengths, experience, and education. 60), On the Strategic Value of Missions Work in Global Cities, with Scott Logsdon and Will Sutton (Missions Talk, Ep. They must be serving somewhere in the church, tithing, and fulfill the character qualities of 1 Timothy 3. Scott was capable and willing to do anything to make the church grow. And 1 Peter 5:1-4 reminds us that elders must be eager to serve and to provide examples for others to follow. Its not just his church, its yours too. 0000002977 00000 n According to Hebrews 13:17, overseers are men who keep watch over the flock and who will give an account to the Chief Shepherd (not the personnel committee) for their work. A pastor new to the church will . Site by Mere. An associate pastor works alongside the senior pastor and must be an ordained minister. In music, there is a script and you have to play the notes correctly or the music sounds horrible. I feel blessed having you in this ministerial field!More blessings to you and the family! Were still friends, but long-distance friends are different from close personal friends. on twitter. 7-16-2023 Worship Service - Christ Community Church - Hoxie Kansas CCLI Streaming License: CSPL130517 Series: Current Sermon Preacher: Associate Pastor. We get lonely sometimes, underneath our professional, pastoral role that ministers to others. The articles were very helpful, . The associate as a second chair is an analogy that is fundamentally flawed in its approach. It just works better that wayfor everyoneas I am sure you understand.. Associates who do not need constant hand holding encourage the senior pastor to give an associate new and exciting opportunities. Which of the 9 relationships are you most exciting about making stronger? Believe it or not, I am good friends with my former senior pastors. When the link is broken between a leader and a movement, its hard to restart. Another year I hired a friend who trains church planters like I do. This employee serves as the lead pastor in a church where there are multiple paid ministry positions. We had a situation in a PCA presbytery where a multi-site church wanted to ordain all of the churchplanters as assistant pastors and have the executive pastor be the only senior pastor over all the congregations. How do I know? You are not preaching every Sunday, your name is not on the church sign, you get paid less (or in some traditions, not at all), and many church members assume your tenure will be brief. Pray, asking God to lead you as you think and plan. A Director typically reports to the Senior Pastor on a day-to-day basis and a committee of Session (or the whole Session itself) on a broader basis. . It is very easy for an associate pastor to functionally disregard the leadership of the supposed senior pastor, especially if they have the support of even some of the Session members. Share with me and I might drop it. Get a copy of my book, The Work of the Associate Pastor. If that happens through our ministry, then we are blessed. You must feel comfortable leading youth ministries, religious studies, and other groups. Subscribe free to "Leading Ideas" at churchleadership.com/leadingideas. When you do give your associate something creative or their own to do, stay out of the way. It means you're there fundamentally to help the senior/lead pastor in his work, rather than simply accomplish an independent job. It requires a supermajority of both the congregation AND the Presbytery to allow an associate to succeed a senior without an intervening call. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Every complaint is valuable: it is a plea for connection. He was looking for some time free of the frequent drudgery of elderly visits, website design and maintenance, newsletter development, and oversight of the youth group, the womens fellowship, and the Sunday school teachers. As a practical matter, it's easier for the congregation to deal with a problem with an assistant pastor than it is to deal with a problem with an associate pastor. Associate pastors are often "catch-all" ministers, expected to pick up the missing pieces in their senior pastor's focus. In ministry, there is no script or score that perfectly shows the way. If any associate minister has this mindset, he or she is tearing down the Kingdom from the inside. While maintenance was what he wanted, what I wanted was creativity and experimentationsomething with my brand on it. My energy was always in the latter, my acquiescence in the former. (Or a supportive husband, if your theology supports a female senior pastor.) If not, bring someone in to do it. Fairly quickly and as much to my surprise as everyone elses, I developed a counseling ministry that complemented what Mark was doing from the pulpit. There is another fundamental difference that follows from the type of call to the Assistant Pastor that often in unknown by congregants: the Assistant can be dismissed from a church by an action of Session that does not require a congregational vote. We are dedicated to our historic Creeds and Confessions because we believe they are faithful to the Scriptures. Are you an associate pastor? Problematically, most associates have just learned the work after three years. At the same time, senior pastors are busy trying to steal the good associates from each other. I also want to respect them and learn from them. During our earliest days, Scott and I would work together all day, then after dinner, one of us would think of something we needed to talk about, and wed spend two hours on the phone strategizing together. How can associate pastors and their congregations realize these rewards while avoiding some of the pitfalls that typically accompany the work of associates? Collaboration with the senior pastor can make or break an associate pastors ministry. This will reveal that you are doing your part to make the relationship healthy. In Scotland he is called the pastor's helper.. In Presbyterianism, he is not the only leader, nor is he like the president of an organization. Chances are the church has attached a tagline to your title: associate pastor for _________. Accepting a ministry position as an associate pastor should come out of a sense that God desires you to use your gifts in a particular way. I spent about ten years serving as an associate before taking on the responsibilities of a senior pastor. There we learn from each other. Time in the pulpit - Though the senior pastor might be . The Puritan Board is a forum dedicated to the discussion of Christian theology in a Confessionally Reformed context. Learn more and apply today for May 2024. 5:27). It baffles me that the two (plus assistant pastor) are in the BCO, when all members of the session are equal, though you can have a "first among equals." Nevertheless, I believe ministry is more like a relay race than a solo track event. Think sound bite. This article is reprinted by permission from Leading Ideas, a free e-newsletter from the Lewis Center for Church Leadership of Wesley Theological Seminary available at churchleadership.com. With this track, clergy will receive the enhanced knowledge, skills, and motivation to increase congregational and denominational service, vitality, and growth. A ministry partner is an encourager, not a competitor, with the pastor. Associate pastors often function as a sounding board when the senior pastor is unable to attend a meeting. And among the leadership before the congregation, the Senior Pastor is front and center. In a context where there is more than one pastor, the senior pastor (or as is often used today, the lead pastor) is the main leader of the staff of a church. . He participated in the Lewis Center for Church Leaderships Lewis Fellows leadership development program for young clergy in 20102011. A good assistant pastor will pursue a dynamic, self-sacrificing, and encouraging relationship with the senior pastor. The senior pastor, therefore, is the moderator of the Session (BCO 12-2) unless he and the Session determine otherwise (BCO 12-4). He, of course, had hired me for just the opposite reason. A friend has to be someone you like, someone who you enjoy being with, someone you trust, someone who can keep a confidence, and usually, someone of your educational and socio-economic level. So associate pastors must learn be on time, stick to the agenda, and take good notes. Obviously, there is a supervisory role that the senior pastor must take, but that doesn't mean that pastors cannot treat one another as equals. If the second chair approach to associates is not a fruitful one, then how should churches and pastors articulate the relationship of associates and seniors? He has also been a featured guest on HuffPost Live and Up For Debate. 3:29). Your only obligation is to pass on what you have learned. Rather, your job is to help him better lead the congregation in the direction hes already going. Call it human frailty. This isnt going to mean a ton of heavy relational work. Associate pastors are often catch-all ministers, expected to pick up the missing pieces in their senior pastors focus. After Scott came Joseph Kennedy. But there is one thing that all Associate Pastors have in common: just like the Senior Pastor, they are all called by the congregation. Learn from another. Theres an adage that says, It takes a friend to have a friend. This can be a challenge for a pastor, who is required to develop relationships with as many members of the church as possible. 0000001864 00000 n The Senior Pastor's position innately requires that he be able to lead his pastoral staff effectively. Assisting Pastor (Or, More Things I Learned From My Pastor) Calvary Chapel Bible College 1994 2 INTRODUCTION Throughout this writing, the term "assisting pastor" is used most frequently, in place of the more common "assistant pastor," or the increasingly common "associate pastor." Apr 16, 2021 #1 Does the BCO define or establish the relationship or potential hierarchy between the two positions? Like a preaching inspiration, we need to learn from different people, so I have made it a habit to find a new mentor every year. But over time, neglecting relationships can lead to serious consequences in their personal lives as well as impact the church. We have a worksheet that will capture these strategies and help you work out how they apply in your situation. We needed that time to raise support, get to know the city, and develop a core group. (I know, hes fallen. Recognize the PossibilitiesHaving an associate pastor is often necessary, sometimes useful, and frequently a sorrow. New podcast episode with Brandon Crowe, Book Review: Practical Wisdom from Richard Baxter on Depression, Anxiety, and the Christian Life . And someone you can draw inspiration from and want to emulate. Do you have associate or assistant ministers in your church? Thats been a huge hit to me and many others. She liked being a church member, but not a church leader. Several times a year, hell ask me how were doing on the goals weve set. That is because Presbyterian churches are led collectively by a group of elders, both pastors (Teaching Elders) and ordained non-pastors (Ruling Elders), called a Session. I know too much about who I was at their age. Some of these relationships are easy to put in place if you put in a little effort. I have learned that these triangles are perennial, persistent, almost common, and that they have very little to do with my superior talents. When a church grows to the point of adding another elder to the staff, the preaching elders job description usually doesnt change, except for the few things he can now take of his plate. Associate Pastors may be generalists or have specialized areas of responsibility; for example, Pastor of Discipleship, Pastor of Pastoral Care, or Pastor of Missions. They learned to put up with me. So I still havent seen my answer totally addressed. 0000001929 00000 n In an informal interview for an associate pastor position, I was once told by a senior pastor, Being an associate pastor is about paying the rent.. Accepting a ministry position as an associate pastor should come out of a sense that God desires you to use your gifts in a particular way. Knowing their position's disparities can assist you with going to . This doesnt mean that every woman of noble character should be a pastors wife. An Associate pastor is essentially the primary support person for the Senior pastor. As that ministryin addition to my own preachingimpacted the congregation, I was able to function more and more as a pastor and elder, and not just a staff member. Explore Alternatives If you find the risk of this kind of review of your behavior too much or if you agree with me that associate pastors are often as much a problem as they are a solution, consider these other ways to manage the excess of work: You can hire consultants. Sometimes the role is somewhat of an internship, preparing the man to later serve as a senior pastor. Our response was that the right of the congregation to affirm their own pastor was an important historic Presbyterian principle (patronage anyone?) Currentand potentialSenior Pastors often enter their mi nistry assignments with no. If so, would you be willing to share the job descriptions for BOTH the Senior Pastor and Associate Pastor so we could get an idea of how the roles are divided? Of course they will. Alan is a Doctor of Theology (Th.D.) Directors are often even unpaid lay volunteers.
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