Bob Terry’s March 11 article on pastoral leadership is excellent. A few points need to be added.
First the church should be a theocracy, not a democracy. Jesus said, “I will build My church.” True, the church must vote at times, but the vote should be preceded with much prayer that brings discernment of God’s will (Rom. 12:1–2).
Second we often say, “The church calls a pastor.” However, the Lord should be the one calling a pastor to a church. The church should validate that call, as the church at Antioch did before Paul and Barnabas went to the mission field (Acts 13:2).
Third Bob Terry made a very good statement: “Not every pastor fits every church, and not every church fits every pastor.” God has given us two processes by which a church can determine who they are, their values, their critical issues and seek God’s vision for the church, giving them a foundation upon which to seek a pastor. The processes are transitional pastor and intentional interim ministry.
Dr. Dale Huff, director of the LeaderCare and church administration office of the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions, can direct a church to an interim pastor trained in the processes. (To contact Huff, call 1-800-264-1225.)
Jere W. Patterson
Decatur, Ala.
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