Biblical advice needed for a pastorless congregation

[microscoped]

Our pastor is retiring after 25 years of faithful service to our congregation. He trained up many young men in our +-180 member body, who have now gone on to pastor other churches. It is a small church, but a very active and growing church.

Even with our growth as a body, our finances are not "good".
We are an inner city congregation, in a poor neighbourhood. Many of those who come to Christ among us are barely able to support their families, and though they give mightily of heart, and the total is spiritually impressive and inspiring... the total is simply not physically impressive.
The retiring pastor's salary was only 25k (which was a recent raise), and he was content serving with us even at such a meager compensation for the work that he put in.

How can we find a replacement with such an intensive ministry on such a small budget?

Should we, the deacons, divide the responsibilities of pastorship among ourselves?

Should we find a part time preacher, and then fill the roles of counseling and discipleship among the deacons?

Should we hire a part time counselor, and then fill the roles of preaching among the deacons?


Verses and prayers needed here. We are pressed, but not crushed.

Judges 7 God will show which one. Call all to the altar that will pray. The one who kneels one his left knee behind the congregation that came forward.

 

[microscoped]

One thing I do want to point out is the unity these advisers have. I did not read the posts I just answered. Your new pastor will be young and not of your current leadership. It will take your leaders to help train him but he has the calling and the desire. As God instructed Gidean to take his men to the brook, He instructs you to take your men to the altar.

 

[santuzza]

Have you looked into a missionary pastor? Someone who would raise his own funds, at least partially? The point would be to grow the church while the pastor is being supported outside of your own church with the idea that outside funding would end at a given point (assuming the church would grow and be able to fully support the pastor).

Other than that, I think you're looking at a pastor who would be co-vocational -- part-time at the church and part-time at another non-church position.

 

[Yet]

The NT model was a plurality of elders/shepherds, no salaried single man doing it all. So yes, by all means, use the NT paradigm for your assembly. Look up all my threads for scriptural evidence and direction. Get the book, Pagan Christianity, a guide to NT meetings/gatherings. Google awildernessvoice.com and truthforfree.com for clear biblical advice and studies on this.

 

[JaumeJ]

If the assembly believes, come together and pray, and wait to receive understanding from the Holy Spirit. Wait until th eHoly Spirit moves on the congregation. If the first time you do not have an answer, come together again. If my understanding is correct this is what the Shakers always used to do, with no actual pastor, they would come togather until the Holy Spirit moved one or more to speak and to worship in one manner or another. I believe this to be a very good approach, asking God.

 

[angelsonthemove4u]

The answer to question #1 is Pray as a congregation and ask God to send you a pastor according to His heart,because He said He would. Jeremiah 3:15 the answer to the #2nd question is only if they are biblically literate enough should deacons be used to preach , all Christians are indeed qualified to share the Good News and the deeper revelations of the Father (if) they have done their due diligence and have a basic understanding of God`s overall plan for His created children good or evil , if you out of need have to use the deacons , then form into a group and make decisions on what should be accomplished with God`s word based on your congregations current spiritual needs and of course include God in this process with prayer and the Holy spirit will as always guide you in your thought processes as a group. The answer to the #3rd question is Yes , but again we pray for God to send them to us and pray as though we have already received what we have prayed for, giving Thanks to the Lord for answering , The faith He will and has answered your prayer is the due reverence to be shown, for God as you know is a reality and not a religion and He does and will hear your prayers (if) repentance of sin Through the Son is asked for First , then He hears us loud and clear Question #4 It sounds like you are qualified to be doing the counseling , follow the scripture and if one of the congregation have a particular problem, God`s wisdom does reside within the congregation and with prayer all things are possible so save the monies and create an fellowship event in service to the people in need of a spiritual home and invite them to join your family and have no worries God is in control and He has already prepared someone who is qualified to fill the Pastoral role of your house of worship , The key to your success is going to be diligence Hebrews 11:6 , I will offer this to you as someone who is biblically literate , if you have any biblical question of any kind please feel free to seek me out and you will get your answer, based in scripture without private interpretation explained through discernment. God Bless Your efforts to serve Him and Peace to you and your congregation of God loving souls....

 

[Joshua_Generation]

He technically retired last month, but has been serving in certain capacities for the past 3 weeks. He will be moving to Toronto in a few days (his home town).

The current plan is to have the deacons fill in for the counseling and discipleship, and have a "pulpit supply" (which means imported preachers from the denominational convention/ those who are qualified and volunteer) until a new pastor is found.

Most of what I was mulling over was whether a congregation needs to have an individual as it's shepherd, or if the deacons could collectively fill the implied roles of pastorship.

For a long time now, I have recognized that "pastors" are generally forced to also be preachers, directors, counselors, mentors, disciplers, and stewards within the assembly... rather than just one role, they are forced to put on many hats.
Very few are able to balance all these.

No Deacon should assume the role of preaching or pastoring unless they are called and gifted by God to do so. Deacons could do discipleship, but likewise stay away from counseling if they are not called or Gifted.

If you are in a denomination, then you need to get with the local Presbyter and district leadership. If not continue to pray and seek he Lord. I would not call on anyone in the congregation to fill the role if they are not called or gifted by God to do so. The trend here is your friend. DO not take on anyone that is not called and gifted to God to fill the office of Pastor.

Another thing to consider is to find a truly called and gifted Bible Teacher. I have known many highly anointed Bible teachers that God began to grace to fill the role of Pastor.

Maxwell was right the leaving Pastor should have input.

 

[Word_Swordsman]

I know that some of my plight is merely physically minded,
but I do want to have a Biblical proposal/solution to suggest to the rest of the deacons at our next meeting.

I suppose what I want to know is if the Biblical model for a congregation allows for a volunteer group led church, rather than a centralized paid pastor position being the "head" of the local body, under Christ.

A worker is worth his wages... so perhaps a paid position is needed.

Now I think an anecdotal example might be fitting. Our church's pastor from the foundation of the church has never taken a salary from the church. He and his wife started a teaching ministry, do very well selling their publications, and receive lots of donations. The man is very gifted as pastor and teacher, and has established another church in another state.

The model is that of Paul. Paul was a professional tent maker, occasionally turning to his business to support the ministry. Obviously he received donations all along, but never a salary. Yet, Paul taught that a minister serving the gospel is deserving of a living from the gospel. Jesus received no salary, but had sponsors, mostly apparently wealth, influential people.

Such ministers tend to draw a lot of condemnation when God blesses them mightily. I'm posting about this so that you should give attention to more possibilities. In other words, be on the lookout for a business owner who can leave his business in other hands to step aside to minister. That's what I did many years, still in business though I've reduced considerably and stopped advertsing my services, being in a position to go wherever and whenever to present the gospel without being paid.

 

[SolidGround]

Update:

We had a very productive service yesterday. We did the normal beginning of service, with announcements, Scripture reading, hymns and spiritual songs, etc... but instead of having a sermon, we broke off into small groups to pray and talk and share, and then switched up the groups half-way through. It was very unifying, and helped us all refocus on why we are here (gathering together) and who we are, and how we are a family in the sight of God. It was all in all a pleasant break from the traditional format, although likely not going to become a new tradition itself.

For next week, we will have a sermon from a pastor from another local Body, who was actually one of our own members called into ministry, trained within our own congregation. It will be nice to hear him preach again, as he has been very busy with his own congregation.

Many of the responses have been very encouraging, edifying, and thought provoking. I brought up several of the ideas to my brethren here, and the suggestions were well-received. Many grew attached to the idea of a "missionary pastor", especially because we consider ourselves a missional church.

We will continue in prayer, seeking God's will. More suggestions, encouragement and prayers would be an added blessing.

 

[SolidGround]

On a similar topic (at least to me, because they are both being discussed in our church) : we are considering re-labeling several of the current and retired deacons as "elders", and expanding the title "deacon" to include the other young men (and some not so young) who serve in the congregation.

We have a young man who runs the soundboard and creates many of the PowerPoint presentations. He is an upright man and fits the Biblical role of deacon, but has not been recognised as one by our congregation because he does not have the time during the week to fulfill the duties we have given to our deacons (lots of phone calls and visits to houses, hospitals, nursing homes, and schools).

We have a young singer/guitarist who leads a few of the songs each week, and a bass player who is dedicated to the music ministry, whether hymns, choral anthems, or contemporary songs. Both show the spiritual maturity, servant attitude, and gifting that a "deacon" should possess.

There are several others who also fit the role given in Scripture, yet not the one given by our congregational bylaws... so one of those needs to change... and it's not gonna be the Word of God, that's for sure.

Any thoughts on the ordination of deacons and elders, and the differences between them?

 

[Joshua_Generation]

On a similar topic (at least to me, because they are both being discussed in our church) : we are considering re-labeling several of the current and retired deacons as "elders", and expanding the title "deacon" to include the other young men (and some not so young) who serve in the congregation.

We have a young man who runs the soundboard and creates many of the PowerPoint presentations. He is an upright man and fits the Biblical role of deacon, but has not been recognised as one by our congregation because he does not have the time during the week to fulfill the duties we have given to our deacons (lots of phone calls and visits to houses, hospitals, nursing homes, and schools).

We have a young singer/guitarist who leads a few of the songs each week, and a bass player who is dedicated to the music ministry, whether hymns, choral anthems, or contemporary songs. Both show the spiritual maturity, servant attitude, and gifting that a "deacon" should possess.

There are several others who also fit the role given in Scripture, yet not the one given by our congregational bylaws... so one of those needs to change... and it's not gonna be the Word of God, that's for sure.

Any thoughts on the ordination of deacons and elders, and the differences between them?

1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 is your guide here.