“That’s not the way Pastor Bob would do it.”
The church member may have meant well, but her words stung the new pastor. After all, he had been at the church for only three months, and he had already heard that sentiment expressed more than a dozen times.
He knew he would be living in the shadow of a legend. He just had no idea how big that shadow would be.
There are several succession situations for pastors that are often more difficult than others, I know. I hear about them almost every day. Here are five of the most common:
- The long-term pastor. If a previous pastor has been at the church ten or more years, you can be assured the current pastor will hear many comparisons. Every pastor brings a new culture to the church. It often takes church members a few years to adjust.
- The church-splitting pastor. This pastor left mad. Perhaps the pastor was fired or left angry about something that happened in the church. Instead of finding another church in another community, the pastor decides to start a church in the same community. Church members follow the pastor. When the new pastor arrives, he often has to deal with hurting and angry members. Some of the members will actually have family splits over choosing churches. It’s not a fun situation to lead.
- The moral failure pastor. When there is pastoral moral failure, church members are hurt. Some are angry. Many of the congregants don’t know if they can trust a pastor again. The new pastor walks into a very difficult situation. He now has to pay for the sins of his predecessor.
- The omnipresent pastor. This pastor seemed like he visited every member every month. He was in homes. He attended all events. He visited the hospital fifteen times a day. He counseled people every day. He went to funerals and weddings he did not officiate. He was the superman pastor. Except that his family suffered greatly. Except that the church suffered because he would never let go. He just enjoyed the attention too much. And now the remaining members want to know why the new pastor is not visiting them in their homes nine days a week.
- The oratorical pastor. The previous pastor could preach with seemingly unmatched excellence. His sermons were legendary. He had more downloads to his podcasts than the current pastor has hairs on his head. Comparisons are frequent and not flattering for the new guy. And downloads are lower by 97 percent.
Does this situation sound familiar to some of you pastors?
Remember, your identity is in Christ.
Be comfortable in how God made and wired you.
You have nothing to prove in the comparison game.
Persevere.
This season of dealing with the past will fade into new opportunities that will cause members to look to the future with excitement and anticipation.
Excellent points, Thom!
The thing that comes to mind as I read your post is this – There is no competition for the call of God upon a man’s life. We each play a part in our Father’s plan for the ages.
If the man of God has been called to a church where there was previously a strong pastoral presence, that man can find rest in God and His purpose for leading him to that church.
I just want to encourage your readers with the many challenges they may be facing. And some on a daily basis.
Blessings,
Michael
Good response, Michael.
I’ve been on staff at my church for 13 years and been senior pastor for 8 years. Someone bought the previous pastor a car, and a deacon recently told me “you haven’t done enough yet to get a car.” A few weeks before that, another deacon handed me a cassette tape with a sermon from the previous pastor and instructed to me to listen to how he handled the text I had recently preached. Our church is growing and we’ve baptized more in the past few years than we ever have, but I guess comparisons are inevitable.
Sadly, yes.
For some, the only good days are in the past.
Cassette? Do you even have a cassette player anymore? 😉
I don’t have a cassette player! But that’s how long the guy has been holding on to that sermon!
I’m grateful to pastor a congregation where I can see how God has woven together the work and personalities of previous pastors with who God has made me.. It is liberating to have a good relationship with my predecessors.
You are indeed blessed, Brian.
One more… The family pastor. The pastor I followed was related to a significant portion of the church.
That’s a great add. Thanks, EB.
EB,
That is definitely tough! I would add a 7th (since EB added a 6th): The pastor predecessor who grew up in the same small town that the church you have been called to move to and pastor is located in, and who still lives in the small community (and has coffee with members of your church several times per week), and who left angry (read: divisive).
Another good add.
Good points, Thom. Thanks for encouraging. I’ve been both – the guy who was long term and someone followed and the guy following a long term. Being who God wired us to be and being faithful is the keyl
When I left the church I served for 27 years I told them, “Don’t look for someone like me or expect them to be like me. If God wanted me here, he would have left me here!”
I love your heart, Bill. Similarly, I would encourage retiring pastors not to accept an emeritus title. Though it’s a honor, some think the retired pastor never left.
At my current position I followed a pastor who was #1 (26 yrs.) and #4 and he still lives across the street from the church.
Ouch.
Me too! I just sent this article to a couple of people who are committed to walking with me through a similar transition. Following a 30-year pastor who still lives 1.5 miles away and is, after 14 short months, beginning to return to the life of the congregation (worship and resuming visits).
As a pastor there are a few things I’m glad my denomination (Episcopal Church) weighs in on, former clergy. With few exceptions, former clergy cannot attend their most recent parish after retiring. Spouses, while not specifically addressed, are discouraged from attending the former church – for that same reason.
At least, in my case, I only have to deal with the ghosts of pastors past – good or bad.
How about “The deceased pastor”. He suddenly is deified, even by those who tormented him during his pastorate. When church members refer to “the Holy Ghost”, they aren’t referring to God’s Spirit.
True in many cases. There is another comment below about this reality.
I have a church that is considering calling me as their pastor. The former pastor has taken a different type of ministry with in the community and he and his family have elected to continue to be members of this church. He had been on staff for 5 years and pastored the last 2 years. Could this be a disaster waiting to happen? Could this be a great asset? What are your thoughts?
It could go either way, William. It depends how both you and your predecessor handle it.
Attitudes of spouse and family of the previous pastor can also be factors. My predecessor’s wife had been the music director for 20 years. He was clergy here for 30. They each have their own opinions of and adherence to boundaries.
I became pastor where the previous pastor of 14 years died. It was a sudden, out of the blue death and heartbreaking for the church. They were without a pastor for almost 2 years before I came. I had some reservations coming in as to how much I would be compared to the previous pastor. It’s been a good transition for the church. The previous pastor was well loved and was a good pastor from my takeaways of the testimony of his ministry. I’ve been told that if he hadn’t died, he would still be pastor. That’s not a knock on me and wasn’t communicated in an ill manner. Nor did I take it that way. I understood where the church was coming from.
I’ve been pastor here for 2 years now and I deeply love the people in our church. They love me and my family too. One of the neat things is that the previous pastor’s wife still goes to church here. She’s been nothing but wonderful and supportive since our arrival. She serves the Lord and the church well. Huge blessing.
It’s a unique situation. God has been good throughout this time.
That’s an incredible blessing, Robbie.
Unfortunately I just lost my pastorate of two years, following on from a pastor who was #1 & #4. It hasn’t ended well and I’m having to work really hard to not be #2 because quite a few people still see me as their pastor.
The church has an average age of 65, but that’s about to hit 70 as everyone south of 50 is looking to leave.
Really messy, appreciate your prayers!
Your blog and podcast has been an incredible resource and encouragement for me both before but also during the recent months.
Thank you, James. You are in my prayers right now, my friend.
I’m been at my current spot for 2 years. It’s my first lead pastor position and I followed a guy who had been here for 33 years. I just decided to put the pedal to the medal take my beatings from the comparison peanut gallery and go on. We’ve seen a big attendance rebound, baptisms are up, giving just slightly, we’ve become fully engaged with our community, and yet the people who don’t want to see it I guess never will.
I read somewhere it takes 5 to 7 years for a person to finally become “the” pastor. One last thing, I’ve done 14 funerals since I’ve been here. One way or another change is happening. Whether its me or somebody else the church is never going back. I may not make it to the 5 or 7 year point, but I certainly feel like I’ve already made a contribution to the church and community. Its in better condition now than when I found it.
Thanks, ATH. I’m the author of the article you read somewhere: http://thomrainer.com/2011/11/the_lifecycle_of_pastors/
The church I have been pastoring for almost 5 years now has an interesting situation. They had a Pastor of 14 years who did a great job and then retired. Later on he decided he missed the ministry so he went to Pastor a church 15 miles away. After him another Pastor was hired who didn’t work out at all so he didn’t last two years. They then had a good interim Pastor for 3 years before they called me. When I came on board they were so excited to have a full-time Pastor again that my honeymoon period lasted over two years. The three year interim period gave them time to heal from the bad Pastor of two years. The Pastor who was there for 14 years and is still in the community is a close friend of mine because he wants to see his former church blossom and grow. Between the bad Pastor and the interim periods there was seven years between me and the long-term Pastor of 14 years so I walked into a gold mine. The church is still going strong and I communicate with the Pastor of 14 years quite a bit. The church I pastored before this one was a nightmare because the Pastor of 17 years retired but stayed in the church as a member and that is a disaster for any new Pastor. You could add “The Pastor that never leaves” to your list. Great post by the way.
You are so right, Mike. I love insights from readers like you.
I would add two items: The Founding Pastor (hopefully self-explanatory) and The Revitalizing Pastor, the one who turned the church around and now the following pastor is expected to continue the momentum.
Good adds, Lyn.
Yes, I have experienced some of those situations and heard a few of those comments. What about replacing a Pastor who became the Association Director of Missions, or replacing a Pastor who served 17 years and passed away while he was the Pastor. The Lord has sent me to both of those situations and has used me for His glory.
Thanks, Jerry.
Thom,
I found this quite interesting, especially since the young man who followed me at my last church has not only successfully followed my ten years with the church, but he has done it with at least three of the difficulties you outlined.
His name is Jacob Gray. He is young, gifted, and more than competent. He might be someone who could shed light on how to do the improbable task of following a retiring pastor.
He became senior pastor in 2012. The attendance at that rural church has doubled from around 240 for worship to nearly 500. It is the oldest Baptist Church in Illinois and one of the most innovative.
Jacob also led the church thru transition without losing a single member.
The church is Ten Mile Baptist Church, Mcleansboro, Illinois.
Wow. Thanks for sharing, John.
Our Sr. Pastor has been here 35+ years and will be retiring in 2-3 years. Are there some resources that you can recommend that can help the pastor and staff to prepare the church ahead of time, so that we don’t have major issues when he retires?
David –
Look at Next: Pastoral Succession That Works by William Vanderbloemen.
Thank You. Ordering it today.
I succeeded a pastor who was here for 36 years. I was thinking of the longevity of Moses and Caleb. It was a tumultuous first two years especially since the former pastor took an interim within the association, but his family stayed. Overall we lost 22, I survived, been here 6 years, and all being equal wouldn’t do it over again . I now love where I am, and love those that I serve.
Great story, Clayton.
Is the “Retired Pastor Who Won’t Let Go” lurking in one of those 5 definitions? In my experience a pastor approaching retirement age told someone from a different fellowship that he had earmarked that person as his successor. In due course, the Vacancy Committee thoroughly and prayerfully considered all candidates and under Holy Spirit guidance selected someone else. The retired pastor was upset; left the church and severed pastoral ties, sadly. However he continued to visit members of the fellowship at home and in hospital as he had done previously in his pastoral days and this tactic made matters difficult for the new pastor as well as for the people of the fellowship.
Sadly, yes.
Served three churches over the last 20 some years. Followed one splitter and two moral failures. I can attest that the emotional transference is rather tough. Takes a few years of healing. They were angry at the previous pastor and then you come along and you are sitting in the office of the person they were previously angry at. Churches also tend to over-do it with structure and rules to prevent another occurrence. They’ll use a sledge hammer to put up a wall tack. No one said ministering would ever be easy. On the other hand, if the next pastor turns out to be ok, you’ll seem like a pretty good deal after the congregation has been through the grinder.
#1. I’m about to follow a Pastor of 26 years. Should be interesting.
We have very few Pastors today who spend the long hours in study needed to be great Expositors. It takes time. Many instead are being the Omnipresent pastor. I know a man who was great expositor who was forced out of a church because he didn’t visit at least 40 hours a week like the last pastor. He was told Expository preaching had no place in the church and he should be a professor at a bible college. I do agree with Pastor Rainer that some are so good at exposition they are hard to follow. But they are a blessing. At the same time if a pastor spends the lion’s share of his time being a visitor and always in constant physical contact with the congregation and becomes the churches main visitor to the community then the focus is on him and not God and His Word. When he leaves many people leave as well. This is the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. Then as in every time before and since has revival been preceded by great preaching. Luther preached at least 4 sermons a week. Yet today most just once a week. We need a revival in America today. May God send us powerful preachers and make us hungry enough to listen.
We are in the process of considering a congregation, where we would be following a moral failure. Are there resources you would recommend for this situation, which might set us and the congregation best for success?
Four out of five of these categories preceded me here as pastors. Best compliment I’ve had so far (to balance out all the negative comparisons): “I hope you are here as long as Pastor X (longest tenure, best evangelist, excelled at home visits… )!” I hold this dear when the Enemy turns a parishioner’s innocent comment into a nagging doubt in my mind.
I am doing a Revitalization in North Dakota and I followed a 2. Although he didn’t stay in the community, he sure did a number on the church. The ironic thing is, it has not been a bad thing for me. For the ones that stayed, and many that have returned, once they determined I was nothing like the predecessor, I can almost do no wrong. So I guess sometimes it can be bad or good.