I have a theory about church sustainability and growth. I don't believe Jesus intended for churches to have solo pastors. He didn't groom just one person. He groomed more than just “The Twelve” (see Acts 1:21-22). He sent his disciples out at least in pairs.
“After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go.” - Luke 10:1
“When he had come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples, saying, ‘Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt.’” - Luke 19:29-30
In Acts 11, Barnabas and Saul (not yet called Paul) co-pastored the church in Antioch. In Acts 13, when Barnabas and Paul went to Cyprus, they left Simeon, Lucius and Manaen to pastor the church in Antioch. Barnabas and Paul later split up and Paul travelled with Silas; Barnabas travelled with his cousin John Mark.
Some of the Twelve Apostles have partners; Andrew and Peter, James and John, Philip and Nathanael.
Churches should have at least two pastors regardless of the size of the congregation or the number of campuses. Some egos can't handle that. If one of them has narcissistic tendencies there could be a problem. But, I believe two is the right thing to do.
I saw the success of having two pastors at my home church, Eastchester Presbyterian Church (Bronx NY). The church had successions of solo pastors since its beginning in 1930. About twenty-one years ago we added a Commissioned Lay Pastor who, after going back to seminary, was ordained Minister of the Word and Sacrament and became our Associate Pastor.
(FYI: The title, Commissioned Lay Pastor/CLP was changed to Commissioned Ruling Elder/CRE and I believe is now called Commissioned Pastor/CP)
When the pastors took vacations or had emergencies there was no need to find pulpit supply. The benefits are many. For example, they can help keep each other spiritually grounded. Having two pastors keep visitations from falling through the cracks. Different preaching styles attract a wider variety of worshipers.
When our senior pastor retired, our associate pastor was there for pastoral care, preaching, etc. We hired an interim/transitional pastor during the search during the search for a senior pastor. After the new senior pastor was installed our associate pastor retired about a year and a half later. Now we are back to just one pastor and I think that is a mistake.
When the pastor leaves, the congregation feels abandoned when there is no co-pastor, associate pastor or commissioned pastor in place. Often the clerk-of-session fills the void trying to provide pastoral care. The Committee on Ministry will assign a moderator for session and congregational meetings. The clerk-of-session will find preachers for Sunday worship. But in our presbytery no one is assigned specifically for pastoral care which is needed more than preachers in my opinion. The session should step up, but they generally step back.
If there is an associate pastor or commissioned pastor, the congregation will turn to that person for pastoral care which is part of their training anyway. If not, they will turn to an ill-equipped clerk-of-session or someone else. Serving as pulpit supply and having served on the Committee on Ministry and other presbytery, synod and General Assembly committees, I have witnessed what happens to congregations when there is no pastoral leadership.
In the Presbytery of New York City there are three churches that have a pastor plus a commissioned pastor. Several churches have one or more associate pastors. Some churches have parish associates (whatever that is) who might fill the pastoral care void.
If an interim/transitional pastor who understands that ministry is not hired soon after the pulpit is empty the church is in trouble. And pulpit filled churches need to prepare for the eventuality of the pulpit becoming empty.
You should get a copy of Church Leadership Options* by Lloyd R. Johnson. Additional suggestions are limited only by our imaginations and unwillingness to humble ourselves. Remember, when looking for solutions there is more than one right answer.
Grace and peace <><
Elder Lloyd R. Johnson, prepared for Commission Pastoral Service
*Email kingdomspeaking@gmail.com for a copy of Church Leadership Options
