Pastoral Vacancies
Then I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding.
(Jeremiah 3:15)
Many congregations and their remaining church workers have found themselves struggling during a pastoral vacancy, especially when it has lasted for an extended period. However, this need not occur. Congregations, parishes and their church workers can stay healthy and function well. Their ministry can continue to develop and even thrive during a pastoral vacancy.
It is important for pastors, congregations and parishes to adequately prepare for pastoral vacancies and to transition well. These preparations need to begin before the pastor leaves so that appropriate information, transfer and transition processes can be established and put into place.
Congregations and parishes should familiarise themselves with the LCA Pastor Call Process Policy, which can be found on the LCA website at www.lca.org.au/policies
Your district office can provide information and support in the lead-up to and during the call process and pastoral vacancies.
Preparing for a vacancy
Below is a list of considerations and questions that the congregational or parish leadership and pastors can work through together in preparing for a pastoral vacancy. This may help to ensure that effective interim measures can be set up.
Transitioning well
Your pastor has accepted a call and will be leaving soon. Both the parish and the pastoral family are now facing a period of significant change as you each prepare to say goodbye and move ahead. This will be a time of emotional impact and stress for all involved; however, it is also a time during which both the parish and pastor have a valuable opportunity to review, evaluate and grow.
This resource is based on a brochure prepared by the LCA Board of Support to Pastoral Ministry to help you move through the transition time ahead. It contains several suggestions and questions that may guide you through the three-stage transition:
- saying goodbye to your pastor and their family
- continuing the ministry program during the vacancy period
- starting afresh and strong with a new pastor and family.
Some of these guidelines may not be relevant in your congregation or parish, and you may wish to add to or customise them to fit your particular situation.
See the full brochure in the Pastors Handbook on the LCA Portal under Church Worker Support.
Below are some things to consider as you establish your call committee.
The call committee
Take care in selecting the call committee. People chosen for this group should have concern for the best interests of the whole congregation/parish and be strong enough not to yield to various vocal or pressure groups that may exist. The entire congregation should respect their judgement.
They should be able to work as team members and be aware and available for the long haul of searching for a pastor, should this be the case. Availability for meetings is a prerequisite. They should be willing to serve. They should be able to keep confidences. They need to be willing to re-examine what they've always thought about their congregation's/parish’s ministry or how they've always done things.
The call committee’s task, in consultation with their district bishop, is to prepare a shortlist of suitable candidates for consideration by the congregation/parish at a call meeting. Included will be relevant information on those nominated, which must be handed out to members at least one Sunday before the call meeting.
Contact your district office for guidelines on the call process in your district.
See Section 5.4 of the LCA By Laws relating to calls and transfers.
Information for relieving pastors
It is important to prepare and compile information that relieving pastors may need to know or will find helpful when they assist in your congregation or parish.
If the congregation/parish is using the services of any interim pastors, ensure that you and the interim pastor are clear about the parameters of their role.
It is also good to organise people to welcome relieving pastors, to let them into the building and show them around. It would be hospitable to have someone invite them for a meal after worship as a thank you, whether they can attend or not.
Below are templates of an Information Sheet for Relieving Pastors and a Normal Service Running Sheet. These are also available in the Church Worker Support resources on the LCA Portal.
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