My Ministry Setting Is Without a senior pastor
Your Question:
“How can I best serve in a ministry setting that is without a senior pastor?”
The Issues:
A church without a senior pastor can survive under temporary leadership from an “interim” pastor or under the elders; but it is difficult. Operating without a leader may cause more trouble. Clarifying roles and functions while waiting for the Lord to lead a new senior pastor is critical.
Scripture Foundation:
“Moses said to the Lord, ‘May the Lord, the God who gives breath to all living things, appoint someone over this community to go out and come in before them, one who will lead them out and bring them in, so the Lord’s people will not be like sheep without a shepherd.’” Numbers 27:17
Short Answer:
There are several verses in the new and old testaments that speak of “sheep without a shepherd.” This condition is obviously not a good situation. Jesus used this saying as a description of confused or “lost” people in Mark 6:34.
Individuals can function well without a leader, but groups of people need a leader. If your church had a senior pastor for a while, then the senior pastor left, the church will miss that leadership. It is important to discover/identify/recognize why the former senior pastor left. Here are some thoughts about the various possibilities for the senior pastor leaving, and come thoughts about what you can do in the CM:
1) He retired – If he left because he retired, and his leaving was sad but understandable. You will probably experience “missing” that person and the leadership he brought to the ministry. Do all you can to be positive to the CM team, parents and children. Encourage everyone to serve faithfully while you wait for the person that God will bring to lead the church. If you need leadership assistance, ask the elders, deacons, or other pastors in the church to advise or assist you. It is important to not become a “maverick” during this time without a senior pastor. Continue being a “team player,” and communicating with fellow church leaders and the remaining church pastoral staff.
2) He quit – If your senior pastor quit somewhat suddenly, there are many questions and issues that result from a quick change in church leadership. Everyone (paid staff, volunteers, and church attendees) will ask the “Why?” questions. They will all want to know what caused the senior pastor to leave so quickly. There may or may not be any good answers. If you know some of the “dirt” that caused him to leave, let God guide you about sharing it or keeping it to yourself. Having the senior pastor leave is hard enough, but an angry or split church is even worse. If there is some “dirt” about his leaving, don’t spread it. Do all you can to be positive to the CM team, parents and children. Encourage everyone to serve faithfully while you wait for the person that God will bring to lead the church. If you need leadership assistance, ask the elders, deacons, or other pastors in the church to advise or assist you.
3) Never had one – If the church has never had a senior pastor, this is a unique situation. If the church is a young or small church that is led by people that aren’t identified as “senior pastor,” then the situation may be somewhat “normal.” God says clearly that a group of people need a leader (see the “Scripture Foundations” above). Jesus himself use the analogy of “sheep without a shepherd” to describe “lost” or confused people. The church needs a leader. Hopefully, your church is working and praying for a senior pastor. If this situation has been what you have experienced for many months or years, you should have someone who serves as a supervisor for you. Ask an elder, deacon, or church administrator if he/she can assist you with leadership advice when you need it. Do all you can to be positive to the CM team, parents and children. Encourage everyone to serve faithfully regardless of not having a senior pastor.
4) He died – If your senior pastor died unexpectedly, this is similar to #2 above. The sudden loss of the senior pastor can lead ministries into confusion. The remaining church leadership should organize themselves and lend leadership to the church and ministries until the senior pastor position can be restored. Do all you can to be positive to the CM team, parents and children. Encourage everyone to serve faithfully while you wait for the person that God will bring to lead the church. If you need leadership assistance, ask the elders, deacons, or other pastors in the church to advise or assist you.
5) Was removed – If the senior pastor did something that resulted in his removal from his position, this can cause major disruption in the church. Churches have experienced splits over such issues! Ask God to help you focus on the CM, and not on the “politics” surrounding this loss. Do all you can to be positive to the CM team, parents and children. Encourage everyone to serve faithfully while you wait for the person that God will bring to lead the church. Don’t get involved in conversations or opinions about what happened. If you experience people who are angry about what happened, encourage them to talk with the church leadership about it, rather than talking with other church attendees. If you need leadership assistance, ask the elders, deacons, or other pastors in the church to advise or assist you. Yes, ministry is much easier with a senior pastor, but it is not impossible without one. God has called you to lead the CM! God has told you that He is your shepherd! In John 10: 14, 15, Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. I know My sheep and My sheep know Me, just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father. And I lay down My life for the sheep.” It is much easier to serve with a senior pastor, but you are not like a “sheep without a shepherd” if you don’t have a senior pastor. “Nestle” into the Lord’s arms and find your purposem passion, and protection in Him.
For more help in understanding the setting of the children’s ministry, click on the APPENDIX link below.
Visit other articles in the “Understanding Your Ministry Setting APPENDIX”
