We speak of the pastor receiving a call to the ministry but often assume that is a one time event. While Paul had the dramatic Damascus road event in his life, he also speaks of other times throughout his ministry when he sensed where God was calling him. A congregation would be wise to honor a pastor’s vocational journey. Many of those goals can be pursued in the congregation and not require leaving the congregation to follow one’s vocational development.
It would be good to occasionally ask the pastor about his or her vocational goals in the near future. Since Presbyterians believe that everyone has a calling from God, it might be good to expand the conversation and ask all of the board to reflect on their vocational goals. Having verbalized the goals in the pastor’s life, it would then be important to creatively reflect on how the church could both honor and support those goals.
A pastor could also be asked what are some of the gifts that s/he has that need to be further developed. I have a friend who loves to write music but found that the demands of being a pastor had caused that to be put aside. When the session worked with him in integrating that gift with other aspects of ministry, he was able to develop further.
Pastors also need to be asked about the passions that they have felt the necessity to compromise in the exercise of their ministry. One friend has a passion for mission in a particular part of Mexico. When the congregation recognized that as a legitimate part of their call to him, he was able to feel supported in responding to that aspect of God’s call in his life.
The point is that many of those particular gifts and passions that a pastor has can be creatively integrated into the overall ministry of the congregation to the enrichment of the congregation. However, if the conversation about such possibilities is never raised, both the pastor and the congregation are the losers. Too often that results in the pastor seeking another call hoping to develop neglected gifts. If God is the one who calls and the pastor and the congregation are responding to God’s call, then those passions and gifts may well be the creative edge of a congregation and pastor being obedient to God. Following them results in a further maturity of our faith.
