Rural challenge: Send me!

Lutheran, The, Oct 2004 by Weissenbuehler, Wayne

Weissenbuehler asks others to serve with him

Small rural congregations are going a long time between pastors. Are there just not enough pastors? How can we get pastors to take calls to these small congregations?

The church always needs to pray, "Lord, send out laborers into your harvest." Of course, we need more trained pastors to serve in these many smaller and more isolated churches. But this alone won't solve our problem. Many of these congregations can't pay the kind of salaries necessary for a new pastor to support a family. Also the challenges and needs for pastoral leadership require the understanding and wisdom of experienced pastors. (seepage 12.)

What are we to do? In many places trained pastoral assistants (lay people) serve with distinction, often under the leadership of an experienced neighboring pastor. Bishops often use interim pastors, who work well-but they are just this, interim. These congregations deserve the best we can offer.

Having thought long and hard about this issue, I want to put forth a challenge to our church and to pastors.

I am nearing retirement age, am in good health and believe I still have much to give to the church. In a time of need in our church it seems wrong for me to retire so I can "do what I want." Serving the church as a pastor is what I want. I could go into any number of these congregations for a few years and give them the best that I have learned and become. I don't need a large salary because of the strong and generous pension our church has provided. I could happily serve in my post-65 years for remuneration based on what is both possible and right for a congregation.

This ministry should be under call to the congregation(s) served since the relationship of accountability and authority for ministry established by a call is critical for the best relationship between pastor and parishioners.

Many pastors are in my situation, and I want to issue a challenge to them as well. Every Christian is under obligation to serve and glorify Jesus Christ, but a pastor is under obligation also to serve the church as long as he or she is able. As some of us are getting to retirement age and beyond, we are just starting to get good. It would be a shame for us not to go where we might really be needed.

I could go into any number of these congregtions for a few years and give them the best that I have learned and become.... Many pastors are in my situation and I want to issue a challenge to them as well.

Weissenbuehler is a pastor of Bethany Lutheran Church, Englewood, Colo., and former bishop of the Rocky Mountain Synod.

Readers are invited to send questions to "Since You Asked" via e-mail to wayne@bethanydenver.org or to The Lutheran, 8765 W. Higgins Rd., Chicago, IL 60631-4183. Space does not allow publication of all questions, but all receive serious consideration. The volume of letters makes personal replies impossible.