I suspect one of the more exciting things for a seminary graduate is the day when he officially receives his first pastoral call. All the years of training, studying, late nights, and hard work finally pay off—he finally gets to stand before a congregation and preach the word of God. Frankly, it still amazes me that I get to study the word of God full time and that I get paid too! It’s very rare in life that you get to do something you love for your vocation.
Once the excitement of being ordained and installed wears off, you begin to take a look at your church and, naturally, notice things that you would like to change. Any number of things come to mind—you don’t like the color of the walls in the sanctuary, you’re not fond of the fact that the church has music specials in the middle of the worship service, you think that the church would be better served if it spent more time in prayer, and the list goes on. I don’t think that most newly ordained ministers go into their churches with the assumption that they need to change everything. Rather, I think theoretical knowledge + too much time with books rather than people + youthful inexperience + impatience + zeal for theologically informed practice = disaster. In other words, I think new ministers have a lot of zeal and passion and lack wisdom.
Many new ministers want to rush in and change everything they perceive is wrong with the church. Fine. I understand the impulse. But on the other hand, give careful thought to your actions. How long has your church been around? Are you the first or tenth pastor? Maybe the color of the sanctuary was a special gift to the church—someone took the time to buy the paint and expended the effort and sacrifice to paint the sanctuary. What if the church has been doing things the same way for decades? What you perceive as incorrect may be deeply cherished to many in the church. If you go into the church with the deft and swift feet of a bull in a china shop, you’re liable to make a huge mess in the church—one that could even endanger your pastorate.
I advise new ministers that when they take a new call, be patient, and wait about five years before they make any big changes to the church. Study, ask questions, observe, and determine why and how things exist in your church. Don’t automatically assume that your way of doing things is inherently superior. Once you’ve studied the situation, consult with your elders, and slowly begin to introduce changes.
Keep in mind, I’m not saying that you should tolerate sinful practices. In such a case, bring the matter to the session’s attention and seek to make the correction as soon as possible. But I am saying, making changes in a church can be a lot like slaughtering sacred cows. When you slaughter a sacred cow, you must do it carefully. There will undoubtedly be some in the church who cherish the sacred cow, and you will be taking something away from them that they dearly love.
In the end, remember, as pastor, your job is seek to conform the church to the image of Christ, not your own. Just because the church doesn’t do something to your specific liking doesn’t mean that it’s wrong or wayward. Given enough time, you just might conclude that the sacred cow that needs to be slaughtered isn’t something the church is doing but your own idea. If you patiently wait for about five years before making major changes, you’ll have the opportunity to pray and carefully consider these questions.