From the General Presbyter

No Pastor? No Problem.

Happy New Year!

For the next few months, I will be running a series on the state of the church today. Each midweek will include articles or videos. Topics will include but are not limited to:

• The pastoral shortage
• The shrinking volunteer core
• Church by the numbers
• Church and Innovation

Today’s topic includes some ideas for congregations who do not have pastoral leadership. I understand the frustration. All of us have grown up with the familiar Sunday morning scene, the pastor, perhaps decked out in a robe and stole, preaching from the pulpit and on any established Sunday, leading the Lord’s Supper.

Unfortunately, the scene is no longer guaranteed for many congregations, at least not for a while. So, what can you do on Sunday morning when there is no ordained pastor or CRE to preach while you wait?

Elder LouAnn Rau from Fallston Church wrote and said she used a devotional book and picked out 3-4 different devotionals for the service.  She would read one, then follow the reading with a question based on that devotional.  St. John United church invited members to give a five-minute presentation on their favorite scripture and why. I have heard stories instead of sermons and dramatic readings of scripture instead of preaching. I would like you to check out the web article Service Ideas When the Pastor is Gone for more interesting suggestions. These ideas are not limited to small congregations either!

For the sacraments, train one or two of your elders to officiate. It’s allowed. Shift your communion Sunday. Or pile in cars and head over to your neighboring Presbyterian church on the first Sunday. Let them know you are coming, so they can rejoice at your presence and offer hospitality!

I hope this helps you think “outside the pulpit!” This is your moment to trailblaze even if it is not “plan A.” The Spirit of God is moving in your congregation, in new and interesting ways!

– Jackie