Designing A Church Pastoral Staff -- By: Howard L. Bixby
Journal: Journal of Ministry and Theology
Volume: JMAT 01:1 (Spring 1997)
Article: Designing A Church Pastoral Staff
Author: Howard L. Bixby
JMAT 1:1 (Spr 97) p. 62
Designing A Church Pastoral Staff
Senior Vice President and Seminary Dean,
Professor of Leadership and Church Growth
This opinion article addresses the issues of leadership within a local church that arise from philosophy of staffing. It is suggested that, in view of the biblical evidence, the vocational multiple staff model is best suited to adapt to the gifts of the pastoral staff and to the needs of each local church.
The Search for Definition
“Margaret, I’d like you to meet Jimmy … Mr. uh, Rev. Tweedle; he’s our new assistant … I, uh … I mean youth pastor … who works with our education program!”
Such an introduction is all too common these days. Amidst the blushes and stammering which often accompany the introduction of “our new youth man,” a telling question of definition comes through: What is the role and purpose of that “second man” on the staff at church? How does his ministry relate to the total program and purpose of the church? How is he different from that man of God who preaches from the pulpit each Sunday? What is their relationship?
Questions such as these have been asked with unfortunate frequency. Somehow, this area of uncertainty which exists within and about the multiple church staff has gone largely unaddressed. While evangelical Christians have carefully planned and plotted job descriptions for everyone from the Sunday school class pianist to the
JMAT 1:1 (Spr 97) p. 63
church bus driver, they have neglected any extended or Bible-based treatment of church staff relationships. Many books have been written on the position and practice of pastoring. Written from the work load perspective, some materials and articles are available which deal with the director of Christian education, youth pastor, or assistant. Relatively few, however, are written and available concerning personal relationships, authority, and the call of God in relation to the various members of the church staff. Much that has been written on the subject tends to hedge in the matter of biblical relationships within the staff.
A related question which should be addressed is that of the order in which various pastoral staff positions should be filled. When a church moves beyond a single pastor, which assisting position should be added next?
A Clarification
No two churches are identical in structure, needs, outreach, or size. No two require exactly the same staff, nor do they make the same demands upon that staff. Historically, churches have adopted one of three general methods of meeting their staff needs. These three methods are hiring a single pastor, hi...
Click here to subscribe