Benefits of a Long-Term Pastorate
Allan D Eakin
Editor’s note: This is the second of two articles on this subject. The first article can be found in the Feb. 1, 2023 issue.
How long is a long-term pastorate? That’s a tough question to answer. A long-term pastorate is certainly longer than two or three years. Some suggest that a pastor doesn’t become truly effective until years five to seven. So, likely a good starting point for a long-term ministry is 10 years or more.
Stable leadership is vital to the strength of any organization including a local church. In general, stable pastors that serve a local church for an extended period of time will result in a stable church.
In the first article, three benefits of a long-term pastorate were presented. Those benefits included credibility for the pastor, spiritual growth for both the pastor and the church, and stability for the pastor, his family and the church.
Consider three additional benefits of a long-term pastorate:
• Effective Change — A benefit of a long-term pastorate is the opportunity to make effective changes necessary to move the ministry forward. The wheels of change move slowly in most Baptist churches. Yes, some things are non-negotiable — doctrine, principles, character, etc. But some change is necessary for churches to remain effective.
Why is change so difficult for some churches? Some of the responsibility lies with pastors. Short-term pastorates of two or three years create an attitude that is counter-productive among the congregation. The church membership is often unwilling to commit to change because they understand that, in two or three years, the next guy will want to do something different and, in two or three more years, the next guy will want to do something else different. Affecting change among Baptists is more like turning an aircraft carrier than turning a cruiser. However, a long-term pastorate builds trust and stability. Then, change is something in which to invest rather than resist.
• Generational Ministry — Another benefit to a long-term pastorate is generational ministry. The tenured pastor is present for many of the critical moments in life — some joyous and some difficult. With a 20-year pastorate, God’s man could potentially be present for the birth, baptism, graduation and marriage of a church member. Watching a new disciple profess faith in Jesus, begin serving in the church and then become a leader, results in tremendous spiritual satisfaction for the pastor. Walking with a family during the loss of a grandparent and then a parent is meaningful.
These moments of pastoral care can only be experienced with a multi-year or even a multi-decade pastorate. Multi-generational ministry is a blessing to both the pastor and the congregation.
• Community Pastor — Yet another benefit of a long-term pastorate, especially in a small or medium size community, is the role of “community pastor.” That is, the community at large begins seeing a pastor as their pastor, even though they are not members of the church where he serves.
For years, James Ray Raines served as pastor of First Baptist Church in Gurdon. He was involved in the community and his kids were active in the public schools. The entire community seemed to know Bro. Raines. He officiated at funerals for church members and community members because he was known in the community. That relationship with the community led to many ministry-specific opportunities.
Being viewed as a community pastor is not about popularity or ego, but about service and sharing Jesus. That kind of effectiveness comes only through a long-term, engaged pastorate.
So, what’s the takeaway? Despite the challenges and sacrifices necessary for a long-term pastorate, if God allows a man to serve in a church leadership role long-term, the positives far outweigh the negatives. Both the man of God and the congregation should enter that unique relationship with long-term vision and commitment.
— Allan recently began his 12th year as pastor at Celebration Baptist Church in Haskell and hopes to finish his public ministry there.