Assistant Pastors Some Advice

Roy1, how big is your church?

 

"Do any of the Pastors here have assistants?"
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Having a support team is normal for a pastor.
This can include an assistent pastor (by that or another title), but we are talking about a wide range of possible assistents, vergers, deacons, sundayschool teachers, organists etc.
In a certain sense being the (head)pastor is not all that different from being the manager of a sportsteam.

 

Roy1,

I have an assistant and our church is about the same size. My assistant works right now a full time job with the understanding that by the end of the year he will be down to about 24 hours a week. His specific role is to work with the teens. However, he is willing to do anything that needs to be done. We meet weekly and go over things that need to be accomplished; I give him assistance in any area he needs; and we have a time of prayer together. The key for us is that I have to keep in mind that he works and I have to be sure that I do not overload him with responsibilities.

 

I served as an associate pastor for about 3 years prior to coming here. I was in the church for about 8 years total, so I worked my way in, as it sounds this man is doing with you.

I would agree with Dr. Bob regarding the job description. This is crucial, I believe. Also, be mindful of the fact that this may (at least in the short term) actually create more work for you, as you seek to tell him what you want done and how to go about doing it. I would also recommend taking a hard look personally at what this will mean to you- are you going to give up areas of ministry/control that may prove to be hard for you personally? You need to give him the room to succeed in the work you delegate to him, and to put his strengths to work.

Finally, I would take a hard look at whether or not your church can afford to take him on at what he needs to live on. It would be a shame if finances proved to be an insurmountable obstacle in his effectiveness in the church's overall ministry. While this area shouldn't be the dealbreaker, it should be discussed in frank terms before you proceed if you want a stable, long term relationship.

 

The reason why I asked what the size of the church was, I am trying to understand your position and why you would want to hire another "pastor".

With corporate experience as well as pastoral experience, I have come to the belief that many churches make mistakes in who they hire.

The corporate world when they start a business starts the business with 1 CEO, 1 CFO, 1 VP of Marketing, 1 VP of Sales, 1 VP of Technology and each of those positions are filled by people with different skills, backgrounds, educations and abilities.

NOw most churches don't have the luxery of multiple staff members when they start or when they are small, I understand that. But, churches when they do get to hire, they hire another "pastor." And most likely the person is of similar SHAPE as the "Senior Pastor." And by SHAPE I mean Spiritual gifts, Heart, Abilities, Personality, Experience. They are pastors. That is what they do. In many cases they went to school studying the Bible with little business experience, marketing experience, leadership etc.

If I were in your shoes, instead of hiring another pastor as my first hire, I would hire someone with different skills than myself. I will be the expert in teaching...after I get experts in other areas, I can afford to hire a few more people just like me to lighten my load.

I would look for someone who has been in the corporate world and understands structure and business and can round out the church in those areas. Or someone who has been in marketing and sales, and they can take the "message" that I have been given and help me tell the whole community in a more effective way. Of course people that love God with all their heart and love what we are doing at the church, are the only potential candidates and most important requirement. But instead of looking for another "pastor" you are looking for a skill set that many churches may not consider to be skills that would make them a good candidate to be a "pastor". But they are. They have a set of skills that truly compliment and will help build the church exponentially. And there is no stepping on toes because you are SHAPED differently and you need each other.

In my opinion, and with the size of the church, you should be able to handle the teaching and preaching aspect and anything that you can't handle or intentionally desire for other people to handle can be done by "volunteers." I mean that is what church is all about..."volunteers."

Getting someone on board who can help get the message of what you are doing and what you believe and of the life change that is going on in your church out to the community, I think that would make a greater impact and allow your church to continue to grow. Hiring another "pastor" because he is a good "volunteer" would not be what I would do. I have to use the money that I have in the best possible way for my church to reach the community.

Just my thoughts on the topic of hiring.

 

I think the key in this situation is a total unity of spirit and purpose. Different personalities are usually a benefit to a church.

If this man fully understands that you are the senior pastor and is willing to submit to your authority, even when he differs with you, than I think I would strongly consider the possibility dn make a matter of fervent prayer between you, him, and other men you respect who are aware of your situation.

His willingness to submit must be a heart decision for him. If he submits, but grudgingly, then your people will see the division and Satan may use it to drive a wedge.

The last thing you want, especially in a young church, is a his people/my people mentality.