Podcast Episode #180
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We discuss the connection between pastoral tenure and church health. We continue to see a pattern of healthy churches led by long-term pastors. While we have no statistical correlation, it simply makes sense that a pastor who sticks with a church through thick and thin will see that church become healthier over time.
Some highlights from today’s episode include:
- Pastoral tenure is a lot more difficult than academic or business tenure.
- I believe pastoring is the most difficult leadership assignment there is.
- Pastors who seek mentoring and help are the ones who are most likely to experience revitalization.
- A church doesn’t accidentally start revitalizing. It is a very intentional process.
- It is absolutely imperative for a pastor to live in or near the community of the church.
- It is not a bad thing to go through conflict or crisis in the local church.
- Going through conflict is not unusual. Not having conflict is not normal.
The six reasons pastoral tenure is so important are:
- Our research continues to show a strong correlation to pastoral tenure and church health.
- The breakout years of pastoral tenure typically begin after years 5 to 7.
- Relationships take time, particularly in church leadership.
- Nearly nine out of ten churches in America are in need of turnaround leadership.
- Community relationships and impact take time as well.
- Pastors and churches will have had time to go through a crisis or conflict.
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Feedback
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The obvious question seems to be whether the long-tenured pastor is more likely to be a turnaround leader, or whether it’s more likely to be a newer pastor. Logic tells me that a long tenure will lead to stagnation and satisfaction in the church.
I have pastored two churches in 32 years and I will soon celebrate my 22nd year as senior pastor in my current church. Needless to say, pastoral work has changed. But, what has not changed is the need to stay spiritually fresh.
Yes, you can become stagnate and satisfied, but that is a choice a pastor makes. It is the daily battle, the daily filling of the spirit, to stay committed to your calling as a pastor that must be consistent.
I made a decision a few years ago that the last years of my life would be the best years of ministry. My prayer is that the church I serve will not get the leftovers.
This was very helpful; how can churches/denominations with ministerial appointment reviews that occur in the 3rd/4th year (when dissatisfaction from one view or other is likely to be greatest) overcome the unintended consequence of creating a cycle of pastoral tenure that is just a little too short for the process of fruitfulness to appear?