I just moved to a church with a 50 years history and a predominant population of senior adults with the mentality that the pastor should primarily acts as a chaplain. They love God but have decided they are done serving. I want to model and move toward an equipping/every member model of ministry in the future. I am anticipating some resistance but, to be fair, I have only been here a few months and it is entirely too soon to be making those kinds of changes. I need to build some relationships first. Thanks for your reply!
In Christ Alone, Cale
Dear Cale,
I think you’re right in your acknowledgment that you need to spend some time building relationships. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t start planting seeds in the meantime. Your personal modeling will be an important starting point, and the more you can take them along with you to watch, and later to help, the better. Ministries such as tutoring school kids could be a good fit. If that’s too big of a leap, maybe suggest an intercessory prayer ministry. The key is reinforcing that as senior citizens, they still have a lot to give. God is not done with them yet.
Legacy is also an important point for this group. What kind of church do they want to leave behind for their children and grandchildren?
The book Seeing Through New Eyes may provide some helpful reflections—for you or for those in your congregation to find opportunities to cooperate with what God is doing.
I think this is one for the wisdom of the group… a lot of you readers have experience with this type of situation. What encouragement and/or counsel do you have for Cale?
I absolutely agree with Bob that “personal modeling will be an important starting point.” Find something that is not right in your neighborhood and begin to hunger and thirst for rightness to be restored. Hunger and thirst for righteousness, in Jesus’ name go and do something about it, and take someone with you. This will model the kind of ministry you want to achieve.
Cale, our context is very similar to yours. Our church will be celebrating its 60th anniversary this February. At my age, I am young enough to be the grandson or even great grandson of some of our congregants. They definietly have the chaplain mentality as you have described. I’ve learned to turn that (seeming) weakness into a strength by enlisting some of our older members onto a visitation team. I’ve learned their greatest question is: “Will I be alone when I die?”
Enlisting others in visitation allows them to turn that fear on its head by enabling them to proactively sow into the lives of others. We’ve seen doors of ministry open up with other friends and family that are unconnected with the church who have no one else to support them in their dying years. What an opportunity for the church to help usher them into eternity!
Their need to have a ‘chaplain’ is a valid need- ensuring care and connection right up to the point of death. However, there’s no reason the pastor has to be the only chaplain even if he is the cheif chaplain. I’ve seen that our ‘seasoned’ congregants are often much better ministers to the elderly due to the fact that they are in a similar life phase and have most likely already passed through deep loss or grief. It is an opportunity to allow them to comfort others with the comfort they have recieved. And in so doing, become a valuable part of Christ’s healing ministry through His Body.
The other thing I’ve found after my five years here is that if I’m willing to embrace the role of chief chaplain and love and serve them in that way, they are much more willing to return the favor to engage in ministry when asked to do so.
Blessings to you on your journey!
Cale,
I am in an older congregational setting that has gone through many changes and has much in common with the setting you describe. I have worked her for about 8 years renewing a parish that had voted to close shortly before I arrived. A key to new life in situations like this is helping people see what God is up to again – to rediscover an active God who is at work not only in the church but also in the world around us.
I co-authored the book Bob Logan referred to (Seeing Through New Eyes) as a way to help people see their world through a new lens. Spiritual renewal and reconnecting to God’s activity in the world are real opportunities for the people in your congregation to grow in faith and see and think about what God is up to in themselves and in their neighbors. Then they are in a better position to see how their lives participate in what God is already up to – advancing God’s work with their own hands, feet and voices. And Bob’s comment about personal modeling is a key – the more you practice seeing your life and actions in this way and share it in your preaching and teaching with them – the quicker they’ll catch on and be ready for the next steps. Be blessed in this work!
Cale, I am currently coaching three different pastors who are in your shoes exactly. Instead of giving any specific advice could I suggest a few principles that you might find helpful.
1. It will be very difficult, but not impossible to turn things around. Gear up for the hard.
2. Turning things around will take time…a lot of time. Gear up to be patient.
3. Take baby steps in the direction you’re shooting for. Like Bob said, “..tutoring school kids could be a good fit. If that’s too big of a leap, maybe suggest an intercessory prayer ministry.” Gear up for a series of small victories.
4. Identify those most likely to follow you into change (even if it’s only one) and pour yourself into that person. Gear up to build gradual cooperation.
5. Don’t neglect your own spiritual formation. Gear up for soul-care.
You’ve taken on a challenging assignment. We’re standing with you in prayer.
I appreciate all the feedback and input.