A new pastor arrives and s/he has been called to be a spiritual leader of this congregation. It is so easy to get weighed down by the practical issues of beginning a new pastorate–getting to know the people, understanding the traditions of the congregation, getting acquainted with the community, becoming familiar with the church programs, ect.,– that the spiritual and vocational(God’s unique calling for the church) focus of the congregation and pastor can fade into the background.Yet the future health of the congregation and the pastor may rest in these areas more than anywhere else. The first year is critical in setting the tone of the relative importance of the spiritual energy and the calling of God for the congregation. Here is a suggestion of how to keep alert to these areas.
At the end of the first quarter of the first year of the new pastorate, the PNC could have a joint meeting with the pastor and session. At that meeting they could share their own thoughts and ask both the session and the pastor to consider what they sense might be 5 worthy spiritual goals for the congregation and 3 statements expressing where they think God might be calling this congregation at this point in time. The pastor could also share what s/he thinks might be a couple of personal spiritual goals for him or her personally and how s/he understands God’s calling at this congregation. The numbers are arbitrary and might be more or less. The point is that after this brief experience with each other, what are they perceiving? It also sets the tone from the beginning that this is what it is all about. Finally they agree to meet near the end of the first year of their relationship and review their work and evaluate both the progress towards these goals and whether in light of their longer relationship they would make any changes.
The very decision to participate in this process elevates the importance of the spiritual and vocational aspect of their shared ministry. It also demonstrates support for the pastor to develop these areas.
