Keeping Faith - Maintaining Vitality in the Long-term Pastorate

Team Members/Contributors

John S. Gill Church of the Savior, United Church of Christ Contact Me

About this pastoral study project

The purpose of this project is to research and reflect upon the factors that help maintain the vitality of ministry, for both clergy and congregation, in a long pastorate.

Much to my own surprise, I have become a long-term pastor. Over 20 years of ministry together, my congregation and I have continued to grow and change in positive ways. I remain deeply engaged in my work as a pastor and the congregation in its ministry to members and the wider community. Yet, I am not entirely sure how this happened. Are there certain practices and attitudes that facilitate a sense of vitality in long-term pastorates? Or is it just good fortune?

To better understand the congregational dynamics that promote health and vitality in a long-term pastorate, I propose to undertake a research project using qualitative analysis methods in several very diverse congregations in the Southeast Conference of the United Church of Christ, including my own. In conversation with my Conference Minister, I have identified up to nine healthy long-term pastorates in our region. They include churches ranging in size from 50-450 members, in both small towns and a large metro area, with pastors who have served anywhere from 11 to 38 years. Five of these congregations are predominantly African-American and four are Euro-American. I plan to survey and personally interview the pastor and a focus group of around 12 people within each participating congregation regarding their experience of ministry in the local church. I will specifically focus on practices, attitudes, events, structures and outcomes that have helped to maintain a sense of healthy and vital ministry over a long period of time.

Using the information collected in this study, as well as my own experience, I hope to produce a publishable report, write an article, and organize a reproducible seminar that could facilitate a conversation in the wider church about the factors involved in maintaining a vital ministry in long-term pastorates.