So What Happens Now?“The pastor’s quitting. So what happens now? “No, the pastor’s not quitting. He’s retiring.” “Same difference. So what happens now?” “We could declare a dividend.” “No seriously, what happens now?” “Good question. It deserves an answer.”
First, my retirement is not effective until October 1. I’ll be around until then, with things pretty much as usual. Since we are a union congregation, each presbytery will appoint a liaison to work with our session. However, according to our own Plan for Union, the calling procedure for the next pastor will follow Presbyterian Church (USA) standards. (A few differences exist in the procedures of our two denominations.)
Next, my pending departure does nothing to change the church’s relationship with Dr. Robert M. Shelton. The church is fortunate to have him on staff as Scholar in Residence. Any change in his duties would be a matter of agreement between Bob and the Session, with the consent of Grace Presbytery’s Committee on Ministry and Red River Presbytery’s Board of Missions.
Then some time within the next two months, the session will appoint an Interim Pastor Search Committee and will begin to study Personal Information Forms (dossiers) of potential candidates for the interim position. Until the interim pastor is available for pastoral responsibilities, they will be handled by the session in consultation with the presbytery liaisons. The liaisons’ role includes advising and assisting the session. A part of the assistance includes networking with nearby pastors. (I have filled both the liaison and the pastoral roles numerous times for neighboring congregations without a pastor—it’s just goes with the territory.) And of course Bob M. will be here as well. You go into this transition period with very important advantages.
Some time after the arrival of the Interim Pastor, the session and congregation will begin work on a self-assessment inventory called the Church Information Form. After that the Pastor Nominating Committee will be elected. But that step will likely be months down the road.
One more thing, and I hope you understand the necessity for it. Ministerial courtesy and the rules of our presbyteries require that after I cease being pastor, I do not return to the church for worship; nor can I perform any pastoral function without the invitation of the session and/or pastor or unless I am directed to do so by the presbytery. Yes, it sounds harsh—and I admit I will miss being a part of a congregation I have grown to love. But it is necessary if you are to get on with your ministry as the church under first the leadership of your interim pastor and then your called pastor.
So please understand that I shall continue to value your friendship. And I shall continue to care deeply, very deeply, for the life of this congregation. And I shall count as a high honor that I have been privileged to serve as pastor to Lake Highlands Presbyterian Church. And I’m going to enjoy the next couple of months—to the max.
-- Robert E Shelton