Pastoral Tenure Decreases
Autopsy of a Deceased Church • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.
17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.
18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.
19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.
20 Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”
Many good pastors leave the church before their prime leadership years.
In most of the deceased churches the pastors came and went at a rate of every two-three years in the decades leading up to the churches demise.
The Cycle
The Cycle
1. Church calls a new pastor with hope of change and new growth.
1. Church calls a new pastor with hope of change and new growth.
2. The pastor makes a few changes.
2. The pastor makes a few changes.
3. The church doesn’t like the change and resists.
3. The church doesn’t like the change and resists.
4. The pastor becomes discouraged and leaves or is fired.
4. The pastor becomes discouraged and leaves or is fired.
5. The cycle repeats.
5. The cycle repeats.
The Life Stages of Pastoral Tenure
The Life Stages of Pastoral Tenure
1. Year One - The Honeymoon
1. Year One - The Honeymoon
The pastor may be weary from past experience and the church is glad to have a new pastor (or maybe glad to be rid of the last).
For a season, neither can do wrong in the others eyes.
This honeymoon stage doesn’t last long.
2. Years 2-3 - Conflicts and challenges
2. Years 2-3 - Conflicts and challenges
No pastor is perfect and no church is perfect. After a few months, each party sees the others imperfections.
(The spiritual maturity of both parties will determine the severity of the conflict.)
3. Years 4-5 - The Crossroads (Part 1)
3. Years 4-5 - The Crossroads (Part 1)
The most critical time in the relationship of the church. If the conflict was severe, the pastor will either leave or be forced out. This is the most common time for a pastor to leave.
However, if things have been handled wisely, the best years are ahead.
4. Years 6-10 - Fruit and Harvest
4. Years 6-10 - Fruit and Harvest
If the pastor and church have made it this far, they now trust each other and love each other deeply.
The result is a great bounty.
5. Years 11 and beyond - The Crossroads (Part 2)
5. Years 11 and beyond - The Crossroads (Part 2)
This is another crossroad that is entering rare territory. This time, often the future of the pastor is determined by him. Either he will be wiling to reinvigorate and take new challenges, or he will be resistant to change and become complacent.
In most dying churches the pastor leaves in stage two. When the pastor initiated change, or even suggested it, the resistance was severe.
The Exception
The Exception
Ten of fourteen churches that died had pastors leave in the first three years. However, four churches died with pastoral tenures over ten years. These pastors, had decided that death was better than conflict. The result was the vision was lost.
Questions:
Questions:
1. How can the cycle be reversed?
1. How can the cycle be reversed?
2. Why is pastoral tenure even important in a church?
2. Why is pastoral tenure even important in a church?
3. What responsibility does the pastor have?
3. What responsibility does the pastor have?
4. What responsibility does the church have?
4. What responsibility does the church have?
