new pastor is not very interactive with the church

debodun

debodun

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Location
way upstate in New York, USA
About a year and a half ago, our church got a new pastor. However, in the interim, she has not been very active in the church's organizations and activities. We have a Bible study once a week and the new pastor only came to three of them, did not bring a Bible or even participate, then stopped coming. Without spiritual guidance, it has turned from a Bible study to just Bible reading. I have also heard others comment on this situation. I spoke to the lay leader about the pastor's seeming non-involvement in church activities. The explanation I received was that this pastor is not full-time and we are only allowed 20 hours a week, at most, of her services, so she is spread pretty thinly and wants to use that time to minister where she is most needed. It seems to me she could spare a hour of time here and there to come to Bible study, ladies fellowship and the other activities. Any opinions?
 

Have heard some outrageously good male pastor's, but a couple of female ones that I've heard definitely weren't "outrageously" good. They were good, but I like a pastor who has the congregation in the palm of their hand during the sermon........something like Garth Brooks does at his concerts. I mean, where none of the adult congregation is nodding-off (sleeping) or texting someone. All attention is on the pastor and how they are delivering the Message.
 
Meh..... that's just ingrained prejudice.. No One, especially men, wants to be preached at by a woman... They think it's nagging, and men tend to tune a woman out.
 
You say your last pastor (also female) was very involved, very good.....did she have the same 20 hour arrangement that this one does or was she more full time? That could definitely be a factor in this 'change' that you're witnessing.

And keep in mind too, that while she might be a pastor, she's also human and maybe right now she's having to deal with some issues in her own life that have caused her to become a little withdrawn or preoccupied. There are many perspectives to any one issue which is why we should be very reluctant to judge I think.
 
Ok, but I LIKE to judge what people do! LOL
Anyway, if she is having some personal problems, she should watch it. Many jobs, including the Clergy, will not tolerate (very much, anyway) personal problems getting in the way of the job. I lost a job b/c I let emotional feelings (divorce) get in the way of my work. I was warned by management, but.

Debby said:
You say your last pastor (also female) was very involved, very good.....did she have the same 20 hour arrangement that this one does or was she more full time? That could definitely be a factor in this 'change' that you're witnessing.

And keep in mind too, that while she might be a pastor, she's also human and maybe right now she's having to deal with some issues in her own life that have caused her to become a little withdrawn or preoccupied. There are many perspectives to any one issue which is why we should be very reluctant to judge I think.
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The pastor before this one was full-time. It seems strange to me that some churches have two pastors, like the one my cousin served at (they had what they called a three-quarter time minister and one quarter-time) and others have to share one between them. Couldn't things be evened out?
 
Our eldest daughter is an Anglican Priest and a very good one, not a fundie thank goodness. She has just moved to a new parish and the people from her old parish were very sad to see her move on.
 
Debodun....some pastors while spiritual are also in it for the money. I know that sounds harsh but I speak from experience. Our pastor had only one service a week, and two part time jobs leaving him little time for socializing except for the free trips overseas for a spiritual retreat (everyone else paid)

His one part time job was a swim coach and the other was chaplain for the army. He was paid a handsome sum by the church and his wife was also secretary at a nice little salary also but was never seen in the office.

The congregation dwindled week by week, it got to a point that you could throw a stone through the church and not hit anyone.

When a pastor is not part of the church the churchgoers want no part of him or her.
 
We have a retired part-time Anglican priest. He tries his best to attend activities besides the
Sunday services at two churches.
He is very busy with funerals, visiting sick parishioners at home or those in hospitals and nursing homes.
He comes to fund raisers if possible but does not attend the Bible study group. The members
read and discuss a chapter amongst themselves. He has to travel about 50 miles each way to our community.
He is well liked and respected and I do not expect him to do more than he accomplishes now.
 
debodun said:
The pastor before this one was full-time. It seems strange to me that some churches have two pastors, like the one my cousin served at (they had what they called a three-quarter time minister and one quarter-time) and others have to share one between them. Couldn't things be evened out?
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Could it be that the church is employing part-time pastors in order to hold down expenses? Would a part-time pastor NOT receive benefits, as in the secular business world?

If so, the work load of a part-timer could very well be as Raven said - stretched to the bursting point. An activity such as Bible study would understandably take a back seat to in-person ministering and officiating at funerals.
 
As an athiest, it doesn't really concern me, but when I lived in southern England, with falling church attendance, it wasn't unusual for one vicar to cover 3 or 4 churches. They would take it in turn to host a Sunday service. Some of the churches were in fairly remote areas. One, St.Hubert's, was literally in the middle of a field. It was almost 1000 years old and since it was not far from the Chichester festival theatre (one of the prestigeous English theatres) it was a favourite place of worship for many famous actors. Another nearby church, St Martins, still had no electricity and was candle lit.

The vicars (pastor?) were often just as interesting. The vicar of our local church (Holy Trinity) was a navy padre during the war.
One Sunday morning I was having a drink in my local when he strolled in. The ordered a packet of cigarettes and a pint of beer, took a large drink, looked up to heaven and said "My God, I needed that. I've been working for you all morning".

His replacement was the father of Mathew Pincent, the olympic rowing gold meadlist.
 
ClassicRockr said:
Ok, but I LIKE to judge what people do! LOL
Anyway, if she is having some personal problems, she should watch it. Many jobs, including the Clergy, will not tolerate (very much, anyway) personal problems getting in the way of the job. I lost a job b/c I let emotional feelings (divorce) get in the way of my work. I was warned by management, but.
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Those are good points for sure. But that's for the pastor's bosses (not God silly, the local church) to deal with. Individuals just looking on without more info need to be careful because except for good fortune or luck or whatever you want to call it, anyone could find themselves in difficulties that no one understands don't you think?
 
debodun said:
The pastor before this one was full-time. It seems strange to me that some churches have two pastors, like the one my cousin served at (they had what they called a three-quarter time minister and one quarter-time) and others have to share one between them. Couldn't things be evened out?
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Doesn't it usually depend on how wealthy the church is? Maybe right now, they can't afford a full time pastor (low contributions because of the economy?)so they're trying to make a go of it with a part timer?
 
I say go to her and talk directly to her about your concerns! I made a personal promise to my Pastor when I came to the church i would never say anything about him to his back, I wouldn't say to his face. There have been some rough moments but we have always talked directly to each other. I encourage others to do the same. I expect the same from him, if he has a problem with me he knows he can say so. We remain friends!
This was not a promise he ask for. Just something I felt was needed since i have been to churches where" Fried Pastor is served for Sunday Lunch" as the old saying goes around here. His family is a different thing i would never talk to him about them, nor he about mine. They are to be held as untouchable.
 
SifuPhil said:
Could it be that the church is employing part-time pastors in order to hold down expenses? Would a part-time pastor NOT receive benefits, as in the secular business world?

If so, the work load of a part-timer could very well be as Raven said - stretched to the bursting point. An activity such as Bible study would understandably take a back seat to in-person ministering and officiating at funerals.
Click to expand...

That would be correct Phil. Congregations often expect a lot more than they pay for - full time service from a part time minister or a full time minister plus his wife for the price of one worker.

When forced into part time ministry it is up to the congregation to fill the gap. Debodun, I assume before this latest pastor was called there was a mission statement developed by the congregation that was matched to the profile of the pastor. Your pastor should be concentrating on those points of commonality. If bible study and ladies fellowship do not fit well into those primary mission priorities then an occasional visit is all that can be expected. Most congregations I know would place preaching and visitation of the sick, plus sacramental duties - baptisms, eucharist, weddings and funerals - above ladies' fellowship meetings. Our minister is only expected to turn up to the LF AGM, when he does receive an actual invitation. He chairs the meeting for the election of officers.

As for bible studies, there are plenty of bible study programs that can be bought online, especially for Lent and Advent, but also other themes are available.
 
Is there not anyone in your Ladies Group who knows the Bible well enough to teach your Bible Study? We have several Sunday School Teachers who teach different age groups and the Pastor is really only an attendee like the rest of us. Sunday School is Bible Study in our church, I have an excellent Bible reference book that I learn alot out of. If I had a question I can always call , one of the Sunday School Teachers or one of the Deacons. doesn't have to be Pastor. Does your church have a Statement of Doctrine, where what your church beleives is spelled out and referenced from the Bible?
 
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