What to Do When You Can’t Afford even a Half-time Pastor? - Rev. Quentin Chin. Episode 97

When congregations get to that point where even a half-time pastor is no longer sustainable, is there any hope? Yes! Actually, there is a lot of hope! But it first requires letting go of being preoccupied with the dream of returning to how things were – the glory days. Once they do that, everything changes and hope and positivity can return. Now they can move forward in a way that's both faithful to the ministry that they have had, and that also respects all the good things they probably still do have – a path which honors the Holy Spirit, and maybe even has some of that initial energy and vision of those very early followers of Jesus! It’s a path that will likely look different from their past, yet still be very faithful to the gospel of Jesus Christ and have a real life-giving impact on their community and on themselves.

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• It’s not about “saving” the congregation, per se, but about buying the time for serious thinking about what the cong. wants for its future.
• Discerning what form of ministry is faithful to the basic values & resources that you have now?
• Guidance for how lay leaders can work productively with a very part-time pastor;
• A targeted approach that equips and empowers the laity can do themselves:
• Specific recommendations for how the laity can create and lead worship, for congregational care, etc.
• Helping the congregation to reclaim the church as it was in the first century.