Chapter Nine of Small Does Not Mean Struggling: And Then There Were None

“Pastor, I've decided to move closer to my family,” he said.

I paused. Shocked by this announcement and what I knew it meant for the church. A dump truck full of emotions unloaded on me. This man was my most enthusiastic supporter. He joyfully handled several key ministries of the church. He was a hard worker and gave of his time without complaint when I knew he could. And, he was the last one.

Our church, like every other church, has experienced decline. The truth is we've been bleeding members. Death, relocation, church discipline and the growing tide of apathy and worldliness has drained us. We started out as a small congregation and now we're smaller. Key workers left making the blood loss even more life threatening.

“Jim, if there's anything I can do to help make the transition easier for you just let me know,” I lied.

I desperately wanted him to stay. I secretly hoped his house wouldn't sell. Perhaps, he would see all that he's leaving behind and recant. I knew none of this would happen.

Leadership gurus would be quick to tell me how I need to recruit new leadership to replace Jim. The small church pastor understands this, maybe he or she is the only one that does, there is no one else to train. My congregation is small and the potential pool of candidates is empty. The people who populate the pews do their best to help but they are constrained by many other requirements in their lives and some just don't care.

Over the years, the responsibilities of different ministries has fallen on me. The small church pastor is a generalist. He or she is a Jack-of-All-Trades. That fact is both the beauty and the burden of the calling to a small membership congregation. However, with Jim gone, I feel like I'm about to break.

Please don't tell me what I need to do, the latest book I need to read, which consultant I need to call on, or how I need to pray. Grieve with me in silence. If you are in a small setting then you know. If you're not, you will know because it will happen to you too.

Is there hope? I asked myself that question as I sat across the table from Jim. I couldn't answer it in that moment. I was just too overcharged with emotion. I could feel the weight of his absence pressing down.

The burden of small church ministry is why fresh faces flung from seminary don't want to land in a small membership congregation. It's hard work.

The pastor of Hard Lick Baptist Church does not find hope on the shelves of his local Christian bookstores. Neither can it be found on-line in that favorite chat room or blog. The One who called you is the only one who can give you hope and strength. My hope is not in Jim. Maybe that's why he is leaving, so I can learn a valuable lesson.

“Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and, maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.” Jeremiah 17:5 KJV

Stay Strong!