A CHANGE OF PASTORS IS PART OF THE CONNECTIONAL LIFE
OF THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH. THERE IS A TRANSITION
PERIOD.
It happens in every church sooner or later.
Eventually, the beloved pastor that many have looked
to for spiritual guidance and instruction will depart
for one reason or another. Occasionally, a minister
may have the opportunity to devote his entire life
to one particular congregation until he retires or
is promoted to heaven, but in the Methodist Church
pastoral transition occurs with far greater frequency
in most churches.
First, when it comes time for our pastor
to leave, remember to keep your eyes on the Lord,
not on the man. It is understandable how people can
become attached to their pastor. He is rightly viewed
as God’s representative to preach and teach his word,
and must be a trusted counselor and friend, a father
figure of influence in our faith, a servant who sacrificed
time and energy to love and care for us and our family.
However, as remarkably important as God’s servants
are, we must always remember that he or she are merely
mortals and that our faith must be rooted in Christ
alone, not in a man or woman or any one of his servants.
To be sure, no one will ever truly be able to replace
a departed, beloved pastor like Pastor Jun. He was
a unique person and will always be one of a kind and
will be remembered around the dinner table by family
and friends for a long time. But his position as pastor
is indeed replaceable. God has another genuinely unique
servant that will be sent to lead our congregation.
Change is a part of life – you and our church will
get through this… especially if we follow these several
tips:
Number 1. Be faithful to attend services – the lack
of a permanent pastor can make some feel less enthused
or connected with the church, and may promote more
frequent absences or visitations to other churches.
This is the time of year when people new to our community
are looking for a church home. It is important to
follow-up with each visitor because you will have
a very brief window of opportunity to invite them
now to meet the congregation.
Number 2. Be a person of prayer – people in the church
must always be persons sincerely devoted to prayer…
but even more so during a time that their church is
without a pastor.
3. Be extra patient and understanding – an interim
period for any church may become tense and stressful,
creating the possible atmosphere for any number of
misunderstandings, so it is very helpful for everyone
to add an extra seasoning of patience and even sweetness
to their attitudes. Any needs we have like for pastoral
care in the hospital will be taken care of by our
church’s leadership and by coverage arranged with
two local pastors the Rev. Tom Korkuch of the Westwood
United Methodist Church and also Rev. Frank Kowar
of the Hillsdale UMC for emergency situations.
4. Continue to contribute financially – during a time
of leadership transition, church finances can often
become one of the first casualties to suffer.
5. Volunteer more than usual – Sometimes people look
at changes in church leadership, as an opportunity
to make changes of their own. Look for needs within
the Church and ask the leadership if YOU may correct
or fix or repair or organize it.
6. Help contribute to unity – during times uncertainty
within an organization, voices of discouragement and
discontent can often be heard in the ranks… but this
is a moment that your influence of support and encouragement
is so needed.
7. Avoid church politics – politics is essentially
a competition or struggle for control, influence or
leadership, associated with promoting one’s self,
opinions, or striving for position. Something that
is quite contrary to the theocratic philosophy of
leadership that God ordained for his church.
8. Don’t waste the opportunity – what about the interim
time between the pastor’s departure and the new pastor’s
arrival? There is often a prevailing attitude that
the spiritual focus and ministry of the church is
suspended or stagnant during this period… but this
shouldn’t be. God still intends for every service,
guest speaker and then the ministry of a new pastor
to have vital purpose… and it is important for the
congregation to remain faithful and engaged, so that
God’s intended work can be accomplished.
Friends, this is transition. A change. A looking forward
to a new way of doing things. Maybe a new emphasis
on others. What we have to keep in mind and prayer
is the belief of why we are together, how we can share
that experience with others, and find the peace and
happiness promised by our Lord and Savior.
Thank you for your leadership and your prayers in
accomplishing this transition.
Bill Maurer, Chairperson, Pastor-Parish Relations
Committee
201-391-1631
Listed under the "WorshipServices"
page is a short bio of Pastor George N. Frederick
who will take over his responsibilities in Park Ridge,
September 1, 2008
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