Transitioning from one pastor to another can be a blessed matter.  It can also be a challenging one.  How should a church transition to a new pastor? This is a topic that is discussed frequently in churches where I minister and it is a good one. Here are some simple thoughts regarding this matter:

1. Remember whose church it is. 

Although I believe in pastor-lead, deacon-served, congregationally-ruled local churches, I also believe that the church belongs to Jesus Christ. It is His church. He loves it. He gave himself for it. He calls it his bride. Let this encourage you when you search for a new pastor. Seek God about it.  Fast and pray.  God cares about His church and has a plan for His church. Rest in that truth.

2. Simplify and clarify expectations. 

This is a tricky one, especially if a church has enjoyed a long-time pastor!  Church congregations often reflect the personality, style, and preferences of their pastor and this can lead to great blessings.  It can also lead to great problems, when his personality, style, and preferences have become the identity of the church, primarily because a new pastor will quite often have a different personality, a different style, and different preferences.  This is normal, and unless a church simplifies their expectations, it will often lead to a battle ground that will damage the church and, quite often, even the community around the church.   Think of it in terms of “what does our church want as we transition to a new pastor?”  Do we simply want everything to stay the same?  Are we aware of areas where we could change and it be ok?  Are we simply looking for a pastor who is as identical as possible to our previous one?  We should, in my opinion, be looking for a pastor who loves people and the Bible, and who believes it and teaches it with authority and love.  He should have evidence of his ability to pastor and also to preach. Simplifying and clarifying is helpful in transitioning to a new pastor.

3. Prepare for some things to change, and endeavor to accept them.  

A new pastor, especially if he is younger, will see things very differently than an older one. If he is right in his doctrines, work to permit his preferences. He may choose not to wear a tie. His wife may have a different standard of dress than the former pastor. He may prefer screens.  He may have a slightly different taste in Christian music. He may have a different preference on decorations for special events.  He may choose to close an event that has been the same for a decade or two (or three!). All of these have ramifications, but are not fundamentals of the faith.  Assume things will change and make every attempt be okay with that.  After all, we have all changed over the years.  Our dress has changed as styles have come and gone. Our hairstyles have changed too. We remodel our homes and update our furniture. We even update our cars and let old things pass away!  Styles and preferences are often just that – old things that can be updated or done differently.  Now, if a new pastor diminishes the virgin birth, fire him!  If he is an adulterer, remove him.  But if he is just changing the color of the auditorium or updating some musical selections or adding a new event to the calendar, it is entirely okay to accept the changes!  

4. If possible, choose a pastor who has been trained and mentored by the church, or who is already quite familiar with the church and the church family.   

Every pastor and church should be training and mentoring staff for the purpose of leadership in the kingdom of God.  This is so important.  Pastors should be helping to train and mentor their staff in the spirit of the Apostle Paul. He stated that his son Timothy had “fully known his doctrine, his manner of life,” etc (see 1 and 2 Timothy).  Paul taught Timothy.  He invited him to come alongside of him and to learn from him. He invested countless hours into helping him and preparing him for future ministry.  When a pastor is not investing in training and mentoring others, he will often find himself with no replacement when it is time for his retirement.  What folllows next can be potentially disastrous, in at least two ways!

First, it can be disastrous to invite a pastor with the premise of “letting him have the church in “x” amount of years!”  In my 30 years of serving local churches, I have almost never seen this turn out well.  When a new guy comes on staff and the church “picks up speed,” the older pastor will often be encouraged and decide to stay.  He may even decide that he doesn’t like something about the new guy – his view on dress or music or any number of things can be different from the senior pastor – and he will then either remove him or make his life pretty miserable until he resigns. This resignation is requently in disgust.  This often damages the church and results in the departure of good people who have been hurt in the process.

It can also be disastrous to hire a pastor who has no desire and no ability to grow the church.   Some men are good men and have the perfect positions, at least in the eyes of the church family.  Being a good man and having “perfect” positions, however, does not mean that a man is able to be used of God in pastoring and in building the local church.  This scenario is dangerous. While the church family is happy that things will continue as they were, it quite often begins the steady but slow decline of the church as they will enter a “ declining maintenance” stage.  Maintenance is important, but it is often the beginning of the decline of the church.  This can happen quickly, but usually is a slow process.  By the time the church begins to see the negative effects of their decline, it is often too late to “turn the ship.” As a result, many old and “run down” church buildings abound!  

Choosing a pastor who has been trained and mentored by the pastor and the church family is certainly the best way to go!  If this isn’t possible, try to find a pastor who is very familiar with the church and the church family. They are already loved and respected and the transition will follow more easily.  Be sure to look for a man with character, ability, and proof thereof!  Is there any evidence that he has character?  What evidence is there as to his ability?  Is there proof that he is being used of God in the work of the ministry?  Standards can vary.  Personalities and styles can too.  However, any man who is called to pastor should evidence all of these.  Examine him carefully, not just by talking to him. Talk to those who know him.  Talk to those who have employed him.  Do a background check. Try to see evidence of his life and his ministry.  Look carefully at his family.  Are they well?  Are they on the right track? Is his marriage a wonderful example of Christianity? These areas tell us alot about who a man is.  

Remember this: Jesus loves the church and gave Himself for it!  We believe that, don’t we?  Rest in that as you seek a pastor. 

Thanks for reading.

Your friend,

Dave Young

thedaveyoung.com

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