The Parish Paper - April 2015: Finding God's New Call in the Same Place

Both pastors and congregations get stuck. Pastors who are burned out, geographically bound, or financially squeezed get stuck, as do congregations who are waiting for stable leadership or a pastor to leave. Pastors usually discern God's call to a new ministry without involving the congregation until the decision is made and a new call has been finalized. However, those decisions change the course of ministry for all involved. Research shows that clergy mobility affects congregational vitality. When congregations focus on getting a pastor, developing a relationship with a pastor, or the loss of a pastor, less congregational energy is available for externally focused action such as evangelism and mission. Congregations without pastors, exhibiting “holding pattern” behavior, generally are less attractive to newcomers.