HAVING OUR OWN PASTOR
At the age of fifty-five, and after serving nineteen full years in the same parish, it came time for me to look for another place to serve. I faxed the resumes, I answered the phone calls, and eventually I was invited to three interviews. What were congregations looking for as they searched for a new pastor? Often I heard the following characteristics listed: 1. someone warm and friendly, 2. someone good with children and youth, and 3. someone who won’t cost us very much. In addition to wanting someone who would always “be there” for the people, and who would work hard in the community on their behalf, these qualities of an ideal pastor suggested to me that (1) there is a genuine hunger for community out there: lacking that, people will settle for someone who will do their loving for them. (2) Congregations look around on Sunday mornings and see mainly gray heads, with nary a teen or a…
To view this resource, log in or sign up for a subscription plan
