Call Process Booklet

ecomes senior pastor is the same person but in a different role. Established patterns
for relating to this pastor will have to change with the change in roles. This can be
confusing for both the pastor and the congregation.
The congregation may say, “We know this pastor.” This is, in most cases, not true. It is
more likely the congregation is familiar with the team. They know the pastor functioned
along side another pastor and it might be quite different along side a different pastor
when he/she has primary oversight responsibility. When assumptions are not met, there
is usually reaction, usually disappointment and anger.
Change is Not Expected but Will Occur
For the congregation, change comes as a surprise. The congregation expects
continuity. This is often true personally as well. Such a simple thing as the pastor
relating to different people in the congregation (i.e. the finance committee instead of the
youth group). For the pastor, change also comes as a surprise, being suddenly thrust
into unfamiliar territory in a familiar place and often left unguarded when challenged.
The pastor suddenly has different expectations, relationships with people, and
responsibilities. Part of that is letting go of what was central in that person’s ministry as
pastor before. Changing relationships in the same place is one of the most difficult
things to do.
Desire to Avoid Risk
For the pastor this might be, “I know this place-I don’t want to move” or “I can handle
it” without doing an honest assessment, and so a manipulation of the call process
ensues. For the congregation this might involve them not having to relate to someone
new, but at a 70% failure rate, calling your associate pastor is far more risky than the
normal call process.
Sin
The pastor may succumb to pride in striving for the senior pastor position. The
congregation may be seeking to avoid the hard work of calling someone new. This may
be expressed in various ways that reveal our sinful weaknesses: (1) the congregation
knew the pastor wasn’t ready, but they liked them and thought they could grow, (2) the
congregation wanted a pastor right away and didn’t want to go through the hassle of
the call process, (3) the Bishop said, “No” but “Who is he to tell us?”, (4) the
congregation knew the associate was weaker than the former senior and that was what
they wanted so they could control the pastor, etc.
It is hard not to think of yourself as the exception to the rule, and any given
congregation could be. God bless you if you are, but the odds are not in favor of
success. The greatest risk is to your associate pastor—his/her career is at stake. The
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