In my role as interim pastor one of the things I have suggested to the Mission Council is that I think it will be helpful for the congregation and the next pastor to be clear about expectations and priorities. The following is one way to begin thinking about this. The article is a bit long but I hope you will take time to read it.
Each day of the week has 3 blocks of time: morning, afternoon, evening. There are 21 blocks in a week. Sunday morning is one block. Since PVCC does not have evening meetings we can take off seven evening blocks. This leaves 13 blocks in the week (21 minus 8) for ministry. Assume that the next pastor will spend two blocks on worship and sermon preparation. There are 11 blocks of time left if this person is called to a full-time position.
The question that I put to the Mission Council and that I would share with the congregation is: How you think those 11 blocks of time will be used. If the position is going to be part-time then you have fewer time blocks.
Ask yourself what you consider to be priorities: visiting members, being present in the community building relationships, camp Sunflower, education programs and leadership, denominational relations and participation, the Poor Peoples’ Campaign, the DOC summer camp program, meeting with Spirit Teams. You can add to this list what you think are priorities.
Once you have a list of priorities ask the next set of questions. What do you expect of the pastor in each of these roles? What resources (time and money) will be required? What is the role of the congregation? What can you contribute? For example, suppose you list visiting members as a priority and you think the pastor should devote one block a week to this ministry. Does the congregation share in this ministry? Would it be helpful to have a small committee meet weekly or monthly to review membership and make plans for visiting and staying in touch?
Creating such a list of areas of ministry and priorities can be a creative exercise for the congregation. It is a chance to talk with each other about what you think are the priorities for PVCC and what commitments of time and money you are prepared to make. As you share your ideas with others a picture of shared ministry begins to take shape.
The next pastor can go through a similar exercise, and probably has in some fashion with the Pastoral Search team. Each Spirit Team can go through a similar process. This information can be shared and discussed.
The above process is not quick and easy but it has its advantages. First, everybody has a reasonably clear idea of expectations and roles. Second, everybody knows what resources in terms of time and money are needed. Third, there is a way to evaluate how we are doing as a community in ministry.
If you engage in this process and are intentional in your ministry certain things follow. One, there is a strong sense of pulling together in a shared ministry and vision of the church. Two, the sense of accomplishment builds community. Third, you may discover some ideas that you thought were important are in fact not as important as you though. Or, new ideas may come into focus and you decide together that the use of the blocks of time need to be rearranged.
Now is the time to be thinking about how you will welcome the new pastor when that person comes and what the future ministries of PVCC will be like.
In friendship,
David