Younger pastors and legacy churches

I’m a new pastor (4 years), but not necessarily a young pastor (52 years).

My experience in an established church (we’re celebrating the church’s 50th anniversary this year) is that new pastors need to focus on two things: preach the Word and build relationships with God’s people.

Change is inevitable, but that change needs to be preceded by cultivating and earning the trust of the congregation.

I would also highly encourage new pastors to invest time into building rapport, trust, and camaraderie with the men who serve alongside you as elders. They are fellow pastors, not your assistants. Make yourself accountable to them. See them as your pastors. Invite them to speak into your life and ministry. Be and remain teachable. Submit yourself to them.

Finally, be patient. Take the long view. Don’t expect reform to occur overnight or within a couple years. Commit yourself to faithfully shepherding God’s flock, not looking for greener grass when you don’t get your way or when things don’t seem to be changing.

T Howard ... thanks! Once I read your response, I realized I didn't need to say all that. You are spot on, and my encouragement to you after over 32 years with a legacy congregation is, "YES" even more than you can imagine. If I could bottle that advice and have all guys in their 20's and 30's drink it, I would.

When I came, our church family had a reputation that it was harsh and hard on pastors. Older men were concerned for me. A godly man I had never met, Dr. Dale Linebaugh who was then president of Davis College (formerly Practical Bible Training School/College) sent me a letter welcoming me to the ministry. In it were two absolutely biblical gems of advice: preach the word faithfully and love God's people fully.

I have tears in my eyes as I write, not because of ministry hurts, but because of the overwhelming joy of having the privilege to serve here and do ministry and life with people I love dearly. Great words, Tom

Having been through the process of getting a new, younger pastor a couple times (once by hiring a new pastor, and I was on the search committee, and once by merging with a similar minded congregation, both times ending up with younger pastors), I think the advice above by T Howard also applies to the new pastor’s relationship with the lay parts of the congregation. Patience and the long view are critical, and taking time to get to know the people before big change is attempted will go a long way.

I’m reminded of the Twain quote “I’m in favor of progress, it’s change I don’t like.” The congregation knows that change will come with a new administration. It’s inevitable. And believe it or not, those of us who have been there a while are not automatically suspicious of a new, younger pastor with a new perspective. However, taking the time to really get to know the concerns of the people, and then persuading them of the need for changes that will be attempted, rather than dictating or simply announcing them, is very much appreciated and will make the transition/integration much easier for both sides.

(On the flip side, if the first sermon preached ends up essentially saying “there are a lot of changes needed around here, and the sooner we start the better” will definitely raise enough suspicion to start an adversarial relationship with the new pastor, and neither side needs that.)