At the end of WWII, congregations joined with the changing culture of society to institutionalize and professionalize ministry. Our denominations organized themselves like good professional institutions and churches began to hire people to do their ministry for them. Reflective of that movement was the increase of staff at the presbytery level. Local churches began to grow in size and hire more staff as well. While there was still plenty of room for volunteers, they tended to be directed by the professionals. With our current economic crunch, that process is again changing. A major challenge is that the volunteers that were once available have disappeared as the pressure at work and the need for two-family incomes have increased.
Standing in the midst of this rapidly changing environment is the pastor. The expectations now placed on the pastor to grow the church and organize programs within and missions without happens at a time of decreasing volunteers, staff, and denominational help. This, combined with the general increase in stress in our society, makes it vital that congregations take an active role in caring for their pastors. Committees on Ministry and presbytery staff will need to look at how they can enable congregations to develop strategies for care of clergy even as they receive such care from the pastor. Over the next several days I want to explore how committees on ministry can support congregations in this manner.
If you were a member of a committee on ministry with decreased resources and increased need, what type of strategy could you develop?
