St. Andrew's church had a...
Illustration
St. Andrew's church had a series of pastoral vacancies. This small, struggling, rural congregation saw their numbers dwindling, as businesses closed and farms died. Not knowing what or who to blame, clergy and out-of-town schoolteachers often took the brunt of the community wrath. Many left the community with embittered feelings.
Finally, the denomination sent in an interim pastor who told the community that he was not their permanent pastor. He told the congregation some very hard truths about themselves that they did not want to hear. He pointed them to a vision and mission beyond recalling the past "good old days." Under his leadership, St. Andrews eventually called a permanent pastor who led them into a new future with a solid ministry. It was the interim that had to be the John the Baptist figure to tell the community the real truth, and prepare the way for the new pastoral leadership.
Finally, the denomination sent in an interim pastor who told the community that he was not their permanent pastor. He told the congregation some very hard truths about themselves that they did not want to hear. He pointed them to a vision and mission beyond recalling the past "good old days." Under his leadership, St. Andrews eventually called a permanent pastor who led them into a new future with a solid ministry. It was the interim that had to be the John the Baptist figure to tell the community the real truth, and prepare the way for the new pastoral leadership.
