Staying in the pulpit

[Salty]

Apparently a pastor only stays in a church for 3-5 years.
Granted, there are some who stay for decades - ie Stanely - 40+ years

So why do pastors tend to leave a church after just a short time.

Open for discussion

 

[Revmitchell]

Msny many times they leave because the church runs them off. Others leave because the church is dead. Others leave for bettet packages to support a growing family.

 

[agedman]

Some leave because they have run out of reasons to stay..

They came, supposedly, because such were “led” or “called,” but accordingly, God changed the message.

I do not mock those genuinely purposed by God to a service, what I question is what manner of love is communicated by undersheperds who abandon their posting.

 

[TCassidy]

Most Baptist pastors, at least those with a Seminary education, teach and preach what they learned getting their M.Div., which is a three year course of study. After three years they run out of material so they move on to where they can start all over again.

 

[Salty]

Our first pastor was a missionary church planter - stayed about 4 years - left to start a new church
Our Second pastor specialized in building up small churches - was very succesful, stayed about 4 yeas - left to pastor another struggling church
Our third pastor was very successful - left to become the State Rep for the Empire State Fellowship of Regular Baptist churches.
Our fourth pastor arrived shortly after I had joined the Army - not sure how he did - other then he took the church secretary with him after he divorced his wife. (seriously)

 

[Reynolds]

Our first pastor was a missionary church planter - stayed about 4 years - left to start a new church
Our Second pastor specialized in building up small churches - was very succesful, stayed about 4 yeas - left to pastor another struggling church
Our third pastor was very successful - left to become the State Rep for the Empire State Fellowship of Regular Baptist churches.
Our fourth pastor arrived shortly after I had joined the Army - not sure how he did - other then he took the church secretary with him after he divorced his wife. (seriously)

Pastor hooking up with church Secretary is all too common around here. That's one reason we always hired dog ugly secretaries.

 

[thatbrian]

Apparently a pastor only stays in a church for 3-5 years.
Granted, there are some who stay for decades - ie Stanely - 40+ years

So why do pastors tend to leave a church after just a short time.

Open for discussion

They are handed their walking papers.

 

[Reynolds]

Apparently a pastor only stays in a church for 3-5 years.
Granted, there are some who stay for decades - ie Stanely - 40+ years

So why do pastors tend to leave a church after just a short time.

Open for discussion

We usually fire pastors every 5 or so years. Seems like that's how long it takes them to get lazy and decide everything is "not my job."

 

[TCassidy]

Pastor hooking up with church Secretary is all too common around here. That's one reason we always hired dog ugly secretaries.

I was sleeping with the church secretary for 27 years. Of course I married her 42 years ago.

 

[Reynolds]

I was sleeping with the church secretary for 27 years. Of course I married her 42 years ago.

Since one of the pastors in town stole almost half a million from the church after he talked them into letting his wife be secretary, that practice is pretty much taboo in most churches in our county.

 

[TCassidy]

Since one of the pastors in town stole almost half a million from the church after he talked them into letting his wife be secretary, that practice is pretty much taboo in most churches in our county.

Why? How can either the pastor or the secretary steal funds they have no access to? Our Treasurer didn't even have access. He need a consensus from the Finance Committee. And anything over 500 dollars needed deacon board approval, and anything over 5000 dollars needed congregational approval.

A church that allows a single person access to the money has nobody to blame but themselves if some or all of it turns up missing.

 

[HankD]

My first home church - A KJVO Baptist church to this very day - same pastor for over 50 years - He is 85 and still preaching.

 

[tyndale1946]

My first home church - A KJVO Baptist church to this very day - same pastor for over 50 years - He is 85 and still preaching.

I've know a lot of preachers like that they preach and preach and preach... Until?... Death retires them!... I was at a church meeting where one died in the stand... The Lord retires the preachers in our church... Brother Glen

2 Timothy 4:5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

4:6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.

4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

 

[Salty]

My first home church - A KJVO Baptist church to this very day - same pastor for over 50 years - He is 85 and still preaching.

This is off OP just a little - but - he may still be preaching - but how effective is he in other areas of pastoral responsibilities, or does he have assistant pastors doing those jobs?

 

[ChrisTheSaved]

This is off OP just a little - but - he may still be preaching - but how effective is he in other areas of pastoral responsibilities, or does he have assistant pastors doing those jobs?

Our pastor is 82 years old-60+ years preaching, 45 same church. He mows all the members yards who are in nursing homes, hospital etc. He cracks me up because he runs everywhere he goes. He is the exception to the rule! He said I don't get to stop preaching till I'm dead.

 

[Salty]

Our pastor is 82 years old-60+ years preaching, 45 same church. He mows all the members yards who are in nursing homes, hospital etc. He cracks me up because he runs everywhere he goes. He is the exception to the rule! He said I don't get to stop preaching till I'm dead.

That is great to hear - that even at that age, he is still active.

Here is the reason I asked. I have a friend who is a member of a nearby church - Their pastor is about 85. DMV took away his drivers license, at the advice of his doctor. His daughter had him admitted to a nursing home, due to his physical condition - he has fallen several times.
My friend Dave, has said for the past several months, the messages have been very poor. Just to see for myself - I attended this past Sunday. The entire message was the reading of Acts chapter 8. The only statement he made was that explaining what a eunuch was. That's right, all he did was read the chapter. After service, there was a dinner on the grounds. While the pastor was sitting and eating at a table, he dropped his plate on the ground. (this speaks to his poor physical condition.

IMHO, this man needs to step down as pastor.

 

[HankD]

This is off OP just a little - but - he may still be preaching - but how effective is he in other areas of pastoral responsibilities, or does he have assistant pastors doing those jobs?

Yes, I was his assistant pastor in the early 70's.

He still has an assistant and committees.

 

[Salty]

Yes, I was his assistant pastor in the early 70's.

He still has an assistant and committees.

Outstanding.

Evidently the pastor I referred to in Post #16- is a total control pastor. I was informed that he appointed one man to be in charge of the church when he (the pastor) is not in church. Oh, By the way, the man he appointed is not even a church member.

Its as though I am sitting on the seashore watching a ship sink - and there is nothing I can do.
About all I can do is to purchase and give them a sign that states "Ichabod"
And years ago, it was a vibrant church.

 

[HankD]

It's still KJVO but I could fellowship there.

 

[JonC]

Outstanding.

Evidently the pastor I referred to in Post #16- is a total control pastor. I was informed that he appointed one man to be in charge of the church when he (the pastor) is not in church. Oh, By the way, the man he appointed is not even a church member.

Its as though I am sitting on the seashore watching a ship sink - and there is nothing I can do.
About all I can do is to purchase and give them a sign that states "Ichabod"
And years ago, it was a vibrant church.

Wow.