Something I am learning the hard way...

[Highland Watchman]

Hey all!

Just thought that I would post something as a consideration to anyone who accepts a call to do pastoral work in an already existant church (especially those who, like myself, are on their first church assignments...)

When you get involved in a new church, make sure you have a contract with the church that outlines the church's expectations of you as pastor, as well as a protective clause regarding your wages. I'll tell you why this is important.

I started at this church in June. There was no contract, persay, but everyone had different ideas of what a pastor was meant to function as. Suffice to say, the elder's board dropped to one, who is very strong willed in his opinion, and because of a disagreement in philosophy and strategy, cut my wage in half...

I still feel that God has called me to this church, and I have been blessed by them in other ways. But, I just wanted to leave this note to anyone going into a new ministry position, as a warning and exhortation for your own protection. God bless you guys!

 

[servant4ever]

oh, wow, I will keep that in consideration if this ever happens to me. That is the main reason why I want (not exactly sure if God is calling me to or not) plant a church so I don't have silly people in charge that think they can control the church instead of God. I hope your finances will work out soon, though.

God bless,

servant4ever

 

[Highland Watchman]

Actually, the real amazing part is in seeing how God has been providing for me over the past few months. God is very good, I must say. And HE is opening my eyes to my need to place my trust in HIM, and not in my own energies.

For instance, I have been trying to find a second job in order to supplement my income, but to no avail at all. There are plenty of help wanted signs, but nobody has called. I've gone in repeatedly to some places, and they've all told me that they will call me... So, no second job. And yet, God has used the generosity of others around me to really bless me... So, I am not forgotten. Rather, I am being humbled.

These past few months have been hard, yes. And I can fully relate to Job in ways right now. My wage is such right now that I can't live on it alone, but yet God provides. My fiance decides that we should not be pursuing marriage, and so cancels the engagement (which, I would be thinking this is a God thing too...). So, I've been single again for the past month and a half or so... But at the same time, I look around at the things that I still do have, and I am blessed much. My church is filled with people who encourage me and who accept my messages. And more come - and continue to come - because God is using these messages to speak straight to the heart. Praise God for that!! Just the other day, one of the people told me that the reason he comes week after week is because my preaching is how God speaks to him. Wow. Talk about humbling!!

And, I am learning a lot. Which, that was the reason why I posted this in the first place - to share something that I learned in hopes that I may bless others who may be starting out and not knowing a thing of what they are doing... and perhaps make things a bit easier on them by knowing that... I'm sure everyone has at least one thing that they have learned from their first experience as a pastor that could really bless and enrich others who may come after us... So yeah. Grace and Peace be upon you all!

 

[Highland Watchman]

As an update, I just had an interview for a job today... they phoned me when I was eating dinner yesterday to set up the interview for today... Then I went in, and God was with me through the entire interview. Thanks, everyone, for your prayers!

Just so you know, the job is an overnight stocking position at a local Zellers store, it pays $8/hour and I get 2-3 shifts per week. (more is available, but I had to set a limit because of my church position and other ministries...) So yeah. Praise be to the Lord our God!

 

[alaskamolly]

Boy, I second the first post about having a contract.

Everybody's expectations for pastors are SOOOOOO different, and you will be in a world of hurt if you don't have a clear job description that you BOTH agree on.

Most church members think that a pastor is supposed to be everything to everybody...forgetting that he's just one man, and that ALL the members of the Body are supposed to be involved in ministry.

Having it "in black-and-white" really helps to stop loud accusations before they start.

If you are hired predominantly to study the Word and present a Sunday sermon and two Bible studies, and that's your main focus, written on paper, than Elder Charles can't get super-ticked at you for not driving 5 hours one-way to go visit his sick Great-Aunt Mathilda in the hospital, just because he wants you to.

...However, if a big part of your job description involves sick-bed visits, then you'd better fill up the car with gas and get going to Great-Aunt Mathilda!


It's just a good idea for BOTH parties to have a clearly written job description. It's a smart way to keep grumbling and murmering at bay (won't get rid of it ALL, but it'll help get rid of some), and a good way for YOU to know what your main responsibilities are--and what they are NOT.


Blessings,
Molly
Who's husband has a very clear job description, written at his request, which he and the elders then review it at the close of each year, change it as needed, and sign the new copies again every year (sort of like a yearly contract).

 

[plmarquette]

Hey all!

Just thought that I would post something as a consideration to anyone who accepts a call to do pastoral work in an already existant church (especially those who, like myself, are on their first church assignments...)

When you get involved in a new church, make sure you have a contract with the church that outlines the church's expectations of you as pastor, as well as a protective clause regarding your wages. I'll tell you why this is important.

I started at this church in June. There was no contract, persay, but everyone had different ideas of what a pastor was meant to function as. Suffice to say, the elder's board dropped to one, who is very strong willed in his opinion, and because of a disagreement in philosophy and strategy, cut my wage in half...

I still feel that God has called me to this church, and I have been blessed by them in other ways. But, I just wanted to leave this note to anyone going into a new ministry position, as a warning and exhortation for your own protection. God bless you guys!

John Maxwell's web page ... influence the influencer's , like fred flintstone ..let big muckety muck take credit , as long as work gets done ...

Nehemiah prayer for favor with board ... God will cause your enemies to be at peace with you

Romans 8.37 you are a winner
1 Peter 3.4 you are special
good point

 

[desi]

Hey all!

Just thought that I would post something as a consideration to anyone who accepts a call to do pastoral work in an already existant church (especially those who, like myself, are on their first church assignments...)

When you get involved in a new church, make sure you have a contract with the church that outlines the church's expectations of you as pastor, as well as a protective clause regarding your wages. I'll tell you why this is important.

I started at this church in June. There was no contract, persay, but everyone had different ideas of what a pastor was meant to function as. Suffice to say, the elder's board dropped to one, who is very strong willed in his opinion, and because of a disagreement in philosophy and strategy, cut my wage in half...

I still feel that God has called me to this church, and I have been blessed by them in other ways. But, I just wanted to leave this note to anyone going into a new ministry position, as a warning and exhortation for your own protection. God bless you guys!

If I were you I'd cut the service time in half. As God's emissary you have all the power you need to do what needs done.

 

[Highland Watchman]

Actually, I just resigned from that church. Next Saturday is my last day there. I really do love this church, and there has been much blessing there. But circumstances being what they are, it seems that God is calling me elsewhere.

Which, what is really great news, is that there is someone already there who has been willing to step into my shoes once I'm gone, so it will help to save the church from any potential difficulties in trying to find somebody new to come in.

 

[desi]

Actually, I just resigned from that church. Next Saturday is my last day there. I really do love this church, and there has been much blessing there. But circumstances being what they are, it seems that God is calling me elsewhere.

Which, what is really great news, is that there is someone already there who has been willing to step into my shoes once I'm gone, so it will help to save the church from any potential difficulties in trying to find somebody new to come in.

Hopefully things will work out better for you and the church. Sometimes it seems church elders try to buy influence with their tithe. When two of these kind of people are at odds and the leader doesn't feed their egos times can be hard.