It was announced in both my churches that the conference has projected to reappointment me for a sixth year here to Gainesboro 1st and Smith Memorial UMC. But not everyone understands why pastors move. Here is an explanation.

I know you see me here in church in Gainesboro every week. But I am not a member of these churches. I am a member of the Tennessee Annual Conference. That is my church. As such, I have committed to use my gift for the glory of God as directed by that church. Each year the bishop and DS’s work for months in consultations with churches and pastors to determine the best location for each pastor to serve from Crossville to the Mississippi River. These changes take place July first. These appointments can be changed at any time, but it is anticipated that they will stand good for one year.

Is this process perfect? No, but I have faith in the process. I have faith because I know that the leaders that have been selected for this task listen to the clergy and the congregations. They take this seriously and work hard to create the best situations for everyone involved to further the mission of Christ. That is why it is an ongoing work, and a different announcement could be made tomorrow.

Why do we do things like this? It is actually a very beautiful and beneficial system. First, you will never find one of our churches stuck for a year or two without a pastor while they try to hire one. Nor will you find one led by “Bubba‘s uncle because he said he could preach so we thought we’d hire him.” Because they do not hire one. The Bishop and their cabinet are all seasoned veterans in ministry and work together with lots of prayer to help churches find the right leadership without putting that responsibility on church members that are not prepared for that responsibility.  Second, pastors do not have to spend time pursuing churches to secure employment. They get to spend all their time spreading the gospel. Yes, we are told where to go and we do not get to pick the place. But this team spends a lot of time listening to us about our gifts, our passions, our family, and our weakness. They lose sleep over it, so we do not have to.

Third, pastors do not work for the local church. They are not hired by them and cannot be fired by them. This normally results in increased freedom to speak the truth in love without fear of undue repercussions. In other words, when something needs addressed, they can do it without wondering if their kids will come home from school to find their furniture on the lawn because the church has decided to let them go and kick them out of the parsonage. If they are out of line, the church can complain to the district superintendent, and it will be taken care of. But not without some due process. Fourth, churches get to experience multiple pastors. In most cases, pastors have one or two areas of specialty. The church gets to benefit from those areas and then the pastor takes their gift elsewhere. And another pastor that has other areas of strength comes along and gives those gifts to the church. This process not only strengthens the local church but strengthens all churches throughout the area.

Fifth, church members cannot try to put all the work off on the pastor. In fact, it is not a good idea for the pastor to be the lead person in charge of any particular ministry. Because when they leave, that ministry will fail if there’s not adequate support from the congregation. This reinforces a concept known as the priesthood of all believers. That means that all members of the congregation recognize that the ministry of Christ belongs to them all. Not only is this meant to empower the members of the congregation, but it also allows the pastor to be one to offer support and leadership to every ministry within the church without becoming overburdened by being responsible to carry out every ministry. Sixth, it reduces the likelihood of a situation that happens in a lot of churches here in the south. I have often seen a pastor serve a church affectively for many years. But there comes a point when that person needs to retire and step down. They do not want to, and no one in the congregation wants to be the one to tell them they need to. Everyone loves them, but it is not what is best for the church and the mission. Unfortunately, even this system does not remove that problem. But it does greatly reduce it.

Is this system perfect? No, the biggest flaw is the pain caused when deep relationships are built, and moves must be made. It hurts to pack your bags and leave your church family and community behind. And it hurts to watch a beloved spiritual leader move away. So, why do this then? Because we believe the mission of Christ is more important than our comfort. Spreading the good news of Jesus and his salvation is such an amazing and important task that far outweighs our desire to live out our days comfortably surrounded by family and friends. So, yes, it is projected that my family and I will be in Gainesboro for another year. But one day we will leave. And it is not because we do not love you. And it is not because we do not love this town. But we love Jesus more than our desire to be here with you in this place. And even though it is painful, we want God’s will to be done, not ours.