Session Support Plan
It is from this perspective that I want to suggest a team concept of ministry between the pastor(s) and the session. The plan I want to suggest will not only be supportive of the pastor, but will likely deepen the spiritual experience of the elders as they participate.
First, assign elders equally over a twelve-month period. If there are twelve elders, that is easy but you can also have some months where more than one elder is involved or if there are fewer than twelve elders, some may have to have more than one month. It is important that this not be assigned to a few elders but by end of the year, all elders have been involved.
MONTHLY CONVERSATION
Each month, the identified Elder(s) take the pastor out for a meeting away from the church –breakfast, coffee, lunch, etc. At that informal meeting, both pastor and elder know that the following will be discussed.
After the normal “How are things going” is shared, the following three questions will be asked. First, in the past month what have been some of the more satisfying experiences of ministry — small or large. Second, in the past month, what have been some of the more challenging and/or frustrating experiences. Third, in preparing the congregation for the future, if you had the support of the session, what is one change you’d like to explore.
Periodically but at least once a year, the session should spend some time hearing the cumulative report of the elder/pastor meetings. In addition the the general information, the session and pastor should be looking for patterns. Are their typical activities that bring satisfaction in ministry. Is there a pattern to the frustrations that can be addressed. The thoughts about changes that address the future challenges for the congregation need to be explored. The value of not discussing them each month, is that sometimes after further reflection, the idea either needs to be developed further or with time doesn’t seem to be as valuable. However, it is important that the approach to such a discussion be that of exploration and not simply a like and dislike.
CONVERSATION PATTERN
A beneficial pattern for such discussion would be this. First, the idea is presented freshly by the pastor. Then when an elder wishes to respond, s/he first needs to say two things that s/he finds positive about the idea and then any concerns that might need to be addressed as they move forward. Remember, these are ideas and not fully developed plans Also, remember that behind the idea is an area of concern for the congregation.
By engaging in this type of cumulative discussion, the session will keep attuned to their pastor’s thinking as it evolves. The pastor, because s/he knows such monthly conversations and later reflection will take place, knows that s/he has a continual conversation with his or her team, the session, and therefore is not alone in carrying the burden of ministry. Over time, the session is seeking to hear the voice of God seeking to speak to them about the ministry of the congregation.
While this does not ameliorate the various stresses of ministry, it does provide a forum where the ministry doesn’t feel so lonely.
Spiritual Challenges Identified
As the session and pastor discuss both the satisfactions and frustrations inherent in ministry and the challenges facing the congregation in their future, they might also look for the spiritual challenges behind such discussion. These could then result in some sermons addressing these issues and/or some adult education classes.
Sample Polling
When a specific challenge has been articulated for the congregation, another way that the session can assist the pastor in addressing the issue is to develop some very specific questions that they would like to address to the congregation. Try to reduce it down to no more than four questions. Then from the church directory, choose a random selection, for example, every tenth member, and have the members of the session call them and conduct a random poll of the congregation. You would be surprised at how this can be a fairly quick way to take the temperature of the congregation and provide both the pastor and the session an understanding of how they can approach the issue before them.
By reporting back to the congregation what has been learned, the congregation is made aware of the conversation and the variety of opinions present. This will enable them to see the challenge before the congregation in a healthy light.
