Dear Disciple of Christ,
If you remember when we paused to receive devotions provided by the national church office, I had received an unsolicited call to move from my first to my second congregation. I mentioned that those transitions in congregations are not always easy. It is not easy for the congregation “losing” their pastor, the next congregation “receiving” a new pastor, nor for the pastor, the spouses and their family. I have referred to pastoral service as a “call” (extended to and received by a pastor). It is not a “job” (though work is involved), but the decision of a congregation to extend a “call” on behalf of the church at large and from God Himself. Prayers are raised by all involved that this call of God is proclaimed and heard by members and the new candidate.
Because of the type of service provided by the pastor and received by the calling congregation and “lost” by the congregation “losing” their pastor, there is often tension and struggles. The process happens, as I mentioned, over the period of a few months. If, after a few months, the pastor receiving the new call does not “hear” a “clarion” call, one that they sense is from God, they will likely be encouraged by the bishop to hand back that call and remain at their original church. So, in a matter of months, congregations and pastors meet and greet and pray and develop a relationship. The pastor will reflect on whether the new call fits their abilities (provided by God) and that their service in the new congregation will bring a blessing to all.
When the decision is made and shared with the bishop and the congregations, there can be tension and fears and confusion. The people who have been served by that previous pastor will often reflect and consider what they may have done to be “rejected” by that pastor. Someone must be “at fault” that makes this something like a “divorce” with pain and struggle involved. So it is not unusual for the “transition” to the new call position to be completed as quickly as possible. Mine was delayed for a few extra weeks since a congregational dinner was already scheduled and it seemed appropriate to also use that as a farewell to me and my family. Tension was evident as the coordinator of the meal had tables set out including one for my family as a kind of “head” table. She directed people at table after table to go the buffet table and then, finally, took her own meal and sat down. I looked at my wife and simply smiled as I led her and our kids to get our food at last. It was “odd” and just a little uncomfortable but it was an honest indication of their disappointment in my leaving them.
I’ve mentioned previously that congregations usually have and should have an “open door” policy to receiving members. We welcome all sinners and saints. With that “open door” there can be variety of differences in the members though the sin in us will level off some of those differences. Interestingly, there was a meal to welcome me and my family at our new congregation in Queens. Though somewhat larger and financially more stable, we would be able to feel right at home with this new set of sinners and saints. At the welcome party following my installation service, they held a nice picnic in the large parking area next to the church. People came up to greet me and my family and one handed me a gift in a paper bag. I conveyed my thanks and indicated that the gift was, of course, not necessary but appreciated). “Oh yes, you do need it,” thewoman said with a twinkle in her eye. I opened it an extracted a woman’s (or child’s) barrette.
It took me a full minute or so to get the point of the gift but when she raised her hand to her forehead and brushed back some hair, I got it. With the limited funds available at our church in Brooklyn, I was married to my barber (my wife). She didn’t “enjoy” cutting my hair and I waited as long as I could before asking her if I could get a haircut. With all going on with our moving, we just didn’t have time for even a trim. So, if you can picture it, my preaching was accented by a flick of my hand or of my head to get the “bangs” on my forehead away from my eyes. I have to admit, she was pretty good at subtlety and indirect comments. I thought to myself that fit well with the last meal at our previous church.
I really don’t want to pick on my churches or the members. I am a lead sinner in my congregations. I have always knelt with the members (sinners as well) as we have begun each Sunday service with confession and forgiveness. One of the reasons congregations call pastors is that they serve as worship leaders. We all need to hear of both sin and grace and hear the announcement of the complete forgiveness of all of our sins. Called pastors do that. “As a called and ordained minister of the Church of Christ, and by his authority, I therefore declare to you the entire forgiveness of all your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”
We pastors cannot stand apart from our members, nor above or below them. We stand with them and by the grace of God, we serve in His name. I pray for all of them as I hope they pray for me.
Blessings to each of you in your communities of faith and in your connection to your pastors and brothers and sisters in Christ.
Peace,
Pastor Johnson