New Visions for the Long Pastorate

Research conducted by Roy Oswald while a senior consultant with the Alban Institute indicated that there are some real challenges to remaining effective within a long pastorate. When in one pastorate for more than seven to nine years, some negative dynamics can begin to occur. He discovered that through training, clergy could manage these challenges confidently, thereby allowing them to capitalize on the many advantages of a long pastorate. This training is important as long pastorates are a good and desirable thing. It is difficult for congregations to attain long-term goals without long-term pastorates. In the case of some congregations, long pastorates are needed to overcome years of dysfunctional and unproductive ministries.

You’ll learn about:

• Concrete ways of preventing burnout in a long pastorate
• Three ways of gaining accurate feedback from congregational members
• Leadership strategies for keeping a congregation on its growing edge
• A discernment process to answer the question, “Should I stay another five years or move on?”
• Paying attention to the accumulation of power in a long pastorate and continuing to empower strong lay leadership
• Engaging in a strategic planning process that will focus the energy of the congregation
• Negotiating a three-month sabbatical every four years to sustain personal vitality

The seminar engages lectures, experiential learning and small-group activity.