There is a saying that goes, “Life is full of changes. Sometimes they are painful, other times they are beautiful, but most of the time they are both.“ A church always goes through changes: the arrival of a new member, another member’s transfer, children who grow and begin to participate in different ministries of the church. Considering the dynamics of the Lord’s work, it is common to go through changes. However, nothing mobilizes the church as much as a pastor’s transfer and another pastor’s arrival. Truly, this is a painful moment that may become pleasurable and sublime. But how?
In Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians, we find an
excellent advice: “And we urge you, brethren, to recognize
those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord
and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love
for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves“ (1
Thes. 5:12, 13). The apostle’s brief advice has two practical
aspects that could help us to face changes in a better
way.
ACCEPTANCE
As a pastor, Paul understood the importance of being
accepted and respected. In his ministry, he noticed that it
was impossible to be in contact with people without allowing
them to be part of his life. He also understood that
this relationship would not always exist in close proximity;
there would be a farewell moment for one minister and a
welcome moment for the new minister. As an evangelist,
he understood the church’s need for different pastors with
their own characteristics, to occupy, with their gifts, the different
branches of the Lord’s work while heartily accepting
their members.
That is exactly why he talks about acceptance. Acceptance
is an attitude that refers to experimenting with a new
situation without pretending to change it, recognizing that,
by agreeing with the new reality, he is contributing to his
spiritual and emotional growth. Acceptance is contrasted
with resistance. Resistance generates discomfort and, if
lengthened, may harm the church’s purpose in fulfilling
its mission of worshiping God and evangelizing the unreached.
LOVE
The apostle does not disconnect, at any moment, this
relationship from love. When he talks about acceptance, acceptance
“with appreciation“ prevails, meaning that it is not
given by imposition or obligation but with an attitude motivated
by Christian love. He who belongs to Christ should
never react with contempt. We should never forget that on
a different occasion, Paul said that even if our actions are
perfect from a human perspective, if there is no love, we
will be nothing. Love should be the central element in our
lives, for it leads us to true worship and unity. “We are to be
distinguished from the world because God has placed His
seal upon us, because He manifests in us His own character
of love.“1
Because the elder’s family is recognized as a spiritual
and religious example in the local church, your attitude of respect may be a channel to facilitate this process
of acceptance. One of the good memories I have from
childhood is from my church’s leadership. They always
received new pastors with warmth, and part of the merit
went to the first elder’s family, particularly to his wife. She
was always willing to help in the church services. There
was a special touch in everything she led. She knew very
well how the church worked, she related well to all members
of the church, and her home was a pleasant place.
However, what impressed me the most was her special
way of welcoming new church pastors.
Before the pastor was presented in church, she tried to
get more information about his family. She always offered
a meal at her home after the Sabbath service, and from
the new pastor’s very first day at the church, she provided
a friendly environment. Because the first elder and his
wife were much respected in the community, this warm
reception helped with the church’s acceptance of the new
pastor’s family. The other members felt secure and also
helped the new leader when dealing with areas of greater
need in the church.
This does not mean we should forget others who have
passed through our lives and left memories. Saint-Exupéry
wrote in The Little Prince, “You become eternally responsible
for those you captivate.“ Church members rarely forget the pastor who was with them for a certain period of
time, taking care of them, guiding, exhorting, and leading
them to a deeper and more meaningful Christian experience.
Love-prints remain. The pastor also keeps in his
heart an appreciation for the church and the memory of
friendships he had there. After all, at each church he leads,
he becomes a part of everyone’s spiritual and emotional
growth. Ministerial ties make narrower the shepherd/sheep
relationship, so this is another reason to welcome with love
and dedication those who are sent as God’s ministers.
As God’s cooperators, the elder’s family has an important
role during this time of transition. They ensure that
the change of pastors (which might sometimes be painful)
is an enriching experience and that there is acceptance
and unity from the church. If the attitude is one of respect
and comprehension, the response will certainly be positive
and will be imitated. Let us not forget that it is the time we
spend with someone that makes him or her so important,
and that the more we love people indistinctively, the more
our lives will be full of God’s light.
1
Ellen G. White, The Ministry of Healing, 37.
Jorgeana Longo is a teacher and pastor’s wife in the South Parana
Conference, Brazil.
