Dr. Leonard Greenway, pastor of the Riverside Christian Reformed Church of Grand Rapids, Michigan is in charge of Our Question Box. Although this department is for everyone and questions from all ages are welcome, Dr. Greenway reports that he now has on hand all the questions he will be able to answer until further notice.
From a reader who prefers not to bc identified as to area of residence:
Question: What do you think of a “Team Ministry” where the pastoral load in a congregation is divided among two or more ministers?
Answer: Without question, some arrangement like that is necessary in large congregations where the pastoral load is too much for one man. I am personally acquainted with ministers who, in recent years, have suffered some physical or mental disability brought on by what I regard as an excessively demanding schedule and routine.
One solution, of coursc, is for a large congregation, where circumstances permit, to sponsor the formation of a new group consisting of members of the mother church and others, thereby reducing the size and work-load of that congregation. This has been done effectively in many areas, much to the relief of the overburdened pastor.
Another suggestion, in line with our traditional view of the office of elder, is to increase the number of elders where necessary, and then redistribute among the elders some of the pastoral responsibilities, particularly visiting the sick and the shut-ins. Sometimes I get the impression that the average elder today is not the house and hospital visitor that elders in previous generations commonly were. Today’s average elder, especially in affluent congregations, is inclined to propose a budget provision for an additional pastor to function where elders of an earlier generation themselves assumed responsibilities.
A “team ministry,” which often involves a “staff” composed of senior minister, youth minister, calling minister, etc., is not strictly in keeping with our Reformed polity, which historically has encouraged the practice that the preaching pastor also instructs the children of the church, visits the members of the congregation and comforts the sick with the Word of God. This traditional arrangement certainly is ideal. When the man in the pulpit is the same who calls and catechizes—an obvious unity of ministry, association, and influence—you have a system that can be most effective.
The pastor in an average congregation who faithfully preaches, catechizes, and calls should not be expeded to overburden himself with additional teaching assignments in church societies. Today’s laymen, enjoying a much higher educational and careerprcparation level than the average laymen a generation ago, should feel obligated to take over some society responsibili ties in the congregation.
A final question or two, in all kindness, to those pastors who seek staff assistance because they are so busy attending conferences, conventions, clinics, counselling courses, etc.: Are all these meetings really productive for feeding and tending the sheep and the lambs?
