Called "Elsewhere"? Or not! I'll share two experiences. Early '80s - in the church I grew up in - our pastor "received a call" and accepted it. My parents asked: Why did you accept this call and not the three before? Pastor Don's answer: Because no one here asked me to stay. Late 2010's - The church I attended called a pastor after the long "courtship process of today". He declined. His reason: His home church called him! If you are the current congregation, let your pastor know if you believe his/her work is not finished at your church. Elsewhere? Maybe not yet!
Posted in: Called Elsewhere: Including (Current) Churches in Pastoral Discernment
Called "Elsewhere"? Or not! I'll share two experiences. Early '80s - in the church I grew up in - our pastor "received a call" and accepted it. My parents asked: Why did you accept this call and not the three before? Pastor Don's answer: Because no one here asked me to stay. Late 2010's - The church I attended called a pastor after the long "courtship process of today". He declined. His reason: His home church called him! If you are the current congregation, let your pastor know if you believe his/her work is not finished at your church. Elsewhere? Maybe not yet!