James Swan
Puritan Board Freshman
I have a quick question for any URC folks here.
Article 7 of the Church Order states:
Article 7
A few years back, another URC church stated something like "The Holy Spirit led them" to call the pastor of my church to be their pastor (at least, that's how I vaguely remember it). Long story short, our Pastor did not take that call. Back then I was new to the URC, but I recall being a bit miffed that some other church disrupted our church by making this "call." One of the elders explained to me it was in the church order, so it was an approved method. Needless to say, the entire thing cause quite a disruption in the harmony of our church. Maybe it was also a good thing in a way, as any who took the pastor for granted were reminded that his ministry was a gift to us. There were many tears the night the announcement was made that the call to this other church was not going to be taken.
It seems to me this method in the URC comes causes a lot of trouble. While no analogy is perfect, If the pastor is supposed to be shepherd of his flock, and some other church calls the shepherd, the sheep become... a bit confused. Why is our shepherd leaving?
My question is this: am I out in left field with such a criticism? Currently my church is in the process of evaluating candidates for an assistant pastoral role at our church. I can't help but wonder if our calls to pastors already with churches is causing the same sort of chaos that was inflicted on my church some time back. I wonder if some other sort of method could be worked out.
I would assume Article 7 is some sort of carry-over from the CRC church order, but I have not checked.
The only positive thing I can think about this whole process is that perhaps it's one of the only positive ways a pastor who wants to leave his church can actually leave that church.
Sincerely,
A Confused URC sheep.
Article 7 of the Church Order states:
Article 7
Those who are already ordained ministers within the federation may be called to another congregation in a manner consistent with the above rules, without the examination or the laying on of hands. Any minister receiving a call shall consult with his current council regarding that call. He may accept the call only with their consent. Upon receipt of proper credentials from the church he last served, he shall be installed with the use of the appropriate liturgical form and shall subscribe to the Three Forms of Unity by signing the Form of Subscription.
A few years back, another URC church stated something like "The Holy Spirit led them" to call the pastor of my church to be their pastor (at least, that's how I vaguely remember it). Long story short, our Pastor did not take that call. Back then I was new to the URC, but I recall being a bit miffed that some other church disrupted our church by making this "call." One of the elders explained to me it was in the church order, so it was an approved method. Needless to say, the entire thing cause quite a disruption in the harmony of our church. Maybe it was also a good thing in a way, as any who took the pastor for granted were reminded that his ministry was a gift to us. There were many tears the night the announcement was made that the call to this other church was not going to be taken.
It seems to me this method in the URC comes causes a lot of trouble. While no analogy is perfect, If the pastor is supposed to be shepherd of his flock, and some other church calls the shepherd, the sheep become... a bit confused. Why is our shepherd leaving?
My question is this: am I out in left field with such a criticism? Currently my church is in the process of evaluating candidates for an assistant pastoral role at our church. I can't help but wonder if our calls to pastors already with churches is causing the same sort of chaos that was inflicted on my church some time back. I wonder if some other sort of method could be worked out.
I would assume Article 7 is some sort of carry-over from the CRC church order, but I have not checked.
The only positive thing I can think about this whole process is that perhaps it's one of the only positive ways a pastor who wants to leave his church can actually leave that church.
Sincerely,
A Confused URC sheep.