What Pastor’s Need to Know and Have:

A Non Exhaustive List of what Seminary probably doesn’t Teach and the Church Profile doesn’t Include

General

1. Why you’re doing this (understanding of Call as applied generally and also specifically to what is happening “in the moment.” There is a sense that each ministry setting changes us. Therefore, how do we evaluate the changes vis a vis our call?)
2. Congregational Expectations of Pastoral Leader (preaching style, visitation, committee work)
3. Avoid isolation (individually and as a church)
4. How to access Continuing Education (How do we define this. Sometimes not directly translatable to parish concerns
5. Money. How do we handle it? How church handles it. (Perhaps do some family of origin work on self.)

Specifics

1. History/Culture of congregation (angers, grief, joys, fears)
2. When was the “Golden Age” and what was it like?
3. Good understanding of Church sociology (congregational formation/systems) Need to recognize the “systems” and systemic issues and dynamics
4. Ability to assess/address the systemic challenges
5. The identity of the real power brokers in the congregation and how they work.
6. The power of your predecessor/or other “divine”
7. Mutual leadership styles/expectations (laity, clergy)
8. Know own spiritual style/type (how you process and reach decisions).
9. Willingness to learn new “tricks” (find growing edges and be willing to stretch)
10. A sense of humor (thick skin)
11. Location and nature of support system (commitment to a discipline of self-care, including self-understanding
12. Recognize how ministry setting changes you.
13. How to deal with personal changes both internally and externally caused and sourced.
14. Spousal/partner relationship.
15. Clergywomen and issues of household responsibilities.
16. How to help a congregation find its sense of call.
17. Congregational self-image (“stepping stone,” “teaching,” “not good enough,” etc.)
18. Know current and major social issues.
19. Budgets and finances (financial management)
20. Technology and automation (websites, etc.)
21. Visit judiciously/consistently
22. Wider/ecumenical/community resources
23. Mission studies

Undoubtedly, you can come up with your own list of what Pastors need to know as they begin in a new setting of ministry. This is the list that I compiled from form and informal discussions with pastors from each of the Associations of in the Upstate Region over a period of several months. Of course, it would also be interesting to compile a list of what Churches need to know in welcoming a new Pastor. (A future project, no doubt...)

Blessings,

Rick