Rethinking the Multi-point Parish
This is a continuation of a workshop of the Montana Synod Assembly. We gathered members of multiple point parishes in Montana and Northern Wyoming. We started by talking about what purposes multiple point parishes serve and what models they tend to follow. * Larger congregation pared with one or more smaller congregations * Town church linked with one or two rural congregations * Several smaller towns sharing a pastor * Mulit-denominational parish within one small town What are the advantages and limitations involved? We talked about the challenges that, particularly small, congregations face. * Shrinking population size * Fewer children born * Economic challenges * Social change * Divisions surrounding changing social and culteral moors. Many or most multi-point parishes have strong congregational loyalty and limited loyalty to the parish. They see themselves and individual congregations who share the services of one pastor. They tend to see their responsibility in terms of the members of their own congregation. Pastors of multiple congregations can feel stretched and stressed by the differing needs and make-up of their individual congregations--let alone the distance between them. Lay Pastoral Associates and other lay leaders often serve in smaller and more remote congregations which have traditionally been served by ordained pastors. Such ministers usually serve faithfully and well. Where possible, they are assigned an experienced pastor as a mentor. These LPAs and their congregations often would benefit from a closer association (as the name implies) with a more highly trained and experienced ordained pastors. What if: * Congregations belonging to parishes saw themselves in terms of what they can give, more than what their needs are? * The congregatons saw their ministry in terms of the geographical area around and between their shared minstry, rather than what goes on insidet their buildings? * The parish saw itself as one ministry with multiple "campuses." (This would imply a stronger parish council and more interaction and joint efforts and associations between congregations. *Members joined and belonged to the parish more than individual congregation.) *What if the parish saw itself as an "offering" to the people and communities in their geographic area of influence? What if we tried larger parishes with one pastor--but each congregation (campus) would have close association with its own Lay Pasoral Minister who would work on a part-time or volunteer basis? The pastor could have oversite of the parish ministry and mentor the lay ministers. The pastor could visit each congregation on a rotational basis, rather than all of them every Sunday. So...the discussion contiues. What to you think? What would such a parish look like? How many congregations would participate? What would be the form of their relationship? Would it work? What would be its limitations? Thanks to all who participated in the initial conversation.
Wow! Great Conversation!
I cut my pastoral teeth in a 2 point in Eastern Oregon. Now, in retirement, I find myself providing supply preaching for "fragile" congregations who are told they cannot afford even a part time Pastor.
In my dotage I find myself serving these "fragile" congregations. So far my experience is that they are small, they are financially "fragile" but are warm, welcoming, appreciative of ministry and at least as engaged in their communities as the "healthy" congregations I served. As often as not the communities in which they exist are as economically fragile as the congregations.
There is a sense of discernment in this conversation. As the Holy Spirit has led you to this point I hope you will continue to follow where Sophia leads and help the rest of the church find more vibrant models of pastoral leadership for smaller communities of faith.
P.S. Does anyone else remember The Lutheran article written many years back in which a Mid-Western Bishop suggested that retired Pastors "recycle" themselves in serving these small congregations at reduced salaries, being that they have a retirement income? I guess that's another "what if."
Island of Faith Lutheran Church in Wrangell, AK is doing something like this. I'll be working there for the month of August -- pretty minimal workload, lots of fishing and photo opportunity, a small stipend and a place to live. What if our small congregations did an asset check of what there is to do in their area and "recruited" retired people like me (with a little sense of being on the ash-heap of the church and who are looking for something to do) who have the skill sets needed? (Did someone say pheasant hunting?)
Equality between members of two point parish
I love this idea of having people be members of the parish instead of the individual congregation and for the parish to see itself as one ministry with multiple campuses. I am in a parish where the town church contiributes 80% of the budget while the country church contributes 20%. I think the biggest hurdle might be having members of both congregations feel like they contribute equally as they make decisions for the whole parish as one ministry. Has anyone done work on making the two congregations feel equal in the decision making process even though one party contributes much less?
multi-point
I am wondering if folks remember the Cooperstown ND model in eastern ND. I think 7 congregations came together to form a parish. They shared youth ministry and had a couple of pastors.
Someone Close with This Experience
.
Ass't to the Bishop Mark Nelson in E Wash/ID Synod was in a three or four point with 2 or 3 pastors before he was demoted to a Synod position.
nelsonrevmark@msn.com
He'd be worth adding to the conversation.
Thoughts from a former multiple point parish
Hi,
I didn't attend the workshop, but I did see many of the issues John named in the two multiple point settings I served in. We worked at doing things together, and developing a concept of membership in the parish, but it is hard to get people to shift their thinking. Most were loyal to their congregation and the parish was perceived as a necessary but oft unpleasant way to preserve their congregation. Many wanted to have a pastor reside in their own community, and really felt a loss and not having one. We also experience something akin unto sibling rivalry at times--"we are the biggest, most important, etc. so we should get more of the pastor's time" (the first part of that statement wasn't necessarily true).
I think there is a lot of merit in the LPA/supervising pastor concept, especially when the distances are large. That way the congregations can set their own schedules (this would be one place where tensions seemed to erupt) and the pastor might not be run ragged.
It also seemed to Ron and I that one of the keys of having a shared pastor work is strong lay leadership in each congregation. When people are available and ready to take on various aspects of ministry less essentials "fall through the cracks".
Ron and I recently met with two little Methodist churches. He will be serving them half-time total. They seem to be aware of the need for lay ministry and have already been working hard at mutual pastoral care, worship leadership and administrative responsibilities. It will be interesting to see how this goes.
can't delete this -- see
can't delete this -- see comment on Mark Nelson above.
Two Point Parish & Interim Ministry
I had the privilege of being asked to serve a two point parish in Eastern Oregon one pastor after the honorable John Maas served. I was there for six years and loved every minute of it. I also developed a preaching point in Condon, Oregon which had initially six attendees once a month in a member's home and then with a couple of days a month survey calling grew to 16 worshipers and we moved to the UCC church in Condon for services twice a month. That meant that some Sunday, I leaft the house in Hepper at 6:30 a.m. to see all the deer and other wildlife on the 23 mile trip to Valby for Adult Bible Class at 8:15 and church at 9. Then a quick cup of coffee and mad dash to Heppner to do an 11:00 a.m. service, then grab a sandwich and drive several more miles to Condon. That made for 130 mile round trip on Sundays. We also developed a Friday School program when the school district went to a four day week. Yes it can be stressful, but if you like the people and show compassion and an interest in their situation and work, the ministry can be fun and exciting. I spent six years in that parish in the 1980's. I left when the lumber mill in town sold, the school district laid off a few teachers and uncertified staff and the U.S. Forest Service downsized, but I had two kids in college and I did not want to be the last one to turn off the lights. If those conditions would not have happened I would have stayed a few more years. My wife had a job at the local hospital.
Since March of 2012, I have been serving a two point parish in Circle/Richey, Montana as an interim pastor. I am enjoying the people and they are enjoying having an experienced pastor in their midst, preaching, leading worship, giving children's sermons, visiting in local coffee shops , in and around the towns. Rural ministry is an exciting place to do ministry. One of the things that I started with this ministry is keeping a daily log of my activities, events, etc.
Two things I would add about my experience in rural ministry is that you can write articles and be published in the local newspaper and if you try a new idea and it doesn't work, people will tell you that it would not work, BUT if you try something new and it goes over very well, everyone is thoroughly surprised and welcomes it.
Key Point in Ministering in this Mileau
I think Stan's article defines a prime basis for being able to work well in small town/rural/multi-point parishes.
It's clear that he was (is) fully engaged in the community in which he served. Folks in these parishes are normally open and welcoming but they can smell a rat a mile away. People with "big city ideas" (an "I know better than you do" attitude) come and go in the professions in these communities all the time. But when we engage on the community's level -- if we are willing to let them teach us what it means to live and work in their place -- they will let us teach them what we know how to do.
If it's not recipricol, we will be dismissed.
The parish Stan and I served has pastoral housing in Heppner, OR. It's a dusty town of 1,350 people in a canyon confluence of three drainages. Right, it's in a hole. There is beauty there, but it has to be learned. Both of us let them teach us the beauty. We both had great ministries there (right Stan?)
While I was there a new Methodist clergy couple moved to town. My wife and I stopped by the day they arrived just to say, "hello" and leave them to unpack. The first words out of their mouthes to us were, "How can you stand to live in a dump like this?" We did not become friends. They lasted about 6 months. We were pretty offended by the attitude and we weren't locals. You better believe the rest of the community figured them out quickly.
I think these parishes (of any postive degree of health) will be open to one parish foci as described in the review above in direct proportion to the Pastor's willingness and ability to become part of the community. I don't think any of the congregations will ever lose their individual indentities because it's their familial history. But if we've earned their trust they will first do it for our sake, then I think they will learn to get past, "Let's do for the Pastor's sake," to the point where they see ministry happening and it is of their own doing.
On a sad note . . . the country congregation in the multii-point Stan and I are talking about left what became a two Lutheran, one Episcopal multipoint. They left the mulit-point when it was the Episcopal's turn to provide a Pastor. They left the ELCA over the church wide decisions. This small congregation of around 40 people broke into three factions. By the time they got to the final vote there were only 12 people voting. That, too, is a reality of the ministries of which we are a part.
Rethinking the Multi-Point Parish
I think the core of the multi-point issue is that, as population thins and church attendance declines, congregations is rural (and especially romote) areas stuggle more than ever to support a full-time pastor, even with multiple points. Also, not surprisingly there is a shortage of ordained pastors who are willing or able to get involved enough in these communities to make for a good--and possiblly long--tenure. I am so thankful for those good solid pastors who are committed to these ministries where there is not much personal glory. I'm always on the lookout for seminary graduates who check "rural" as a preference. Being a "city boy" myself, I know that, try as I might, I never completely adapt to rural life, even when I admire its simplicity and honesty. Surprisingly, it seems that single women are more likely to be willing to settle into these remote communities. Often they stay committed even as financial support wanes. Thank God!
On that same line, the TEEM ministry program has been somewhat successful in Montana and Wyoming by raising up exceptional, qualified candidates who already live in and understand these communities. That is why I suspect that we could, with good solid training, raise up at least one lay pastoral minister in each of these congregations, who might have other means of support and be will to provide the ministry of presence that is so wanted and needed their. They could manage, on a part-time basis, to supervise the weekly worship and education, and allow full-time professional staff to support a larger geographical area and provide the more skilled guidance of theologian and counselor, etc. And, as I've said before, I think that lay pastoral associates would benefit from and appreciate the mentorship of a rostered minister (in most cases, an ordained pastor) who is committed to and called by that specific parish. In other words, the mentor would not be "borrowed," from a different parish or congregation.
Necessity is the Mother of Invention
I continue to find this thread invigorating and creative.
As our numbers dwindle and we seem to have less clout it seems we are becoming more innovative and flexible.
Funny how the Holy Spirit works, eh?
Please pray for Island of Faith Lutheran, Wrangell, AK, and for me. I go up there to minister with them for the month of August. It's one of the innovations in minstry that need has generated -- a congregation of less than 20 and a retired Pastor with time and energy.
This discussion is now its own group!
Hello all!
Pastor John Allen has started a fantastic discussion here - one that is quickly evolving into a subject that will prove beneficial to much larger subsets of the Soul Cafe online community. That said, this discussion has now matured into a group of its own, whose members will be able to instigate new discussions, as this subject is quite multi-faceted. Please visit the new group here, or simply search "multi-point" in the search bar. This initial discussion is still intact, and you are encouraged to start new discussions within the group, as this subject of multi-point parishes will demand more layered conversations than one thread will allow.
Many thanks from your Admin!
Multi-point small town or urban ministry?
I am so pleased with the direction this discussion is taking! I hope that we (ELCA) will also ponder similar models for small town and urban congregations. It seems to me that the same tide that emptied Elks clubs nationwide is emptying our churches, with little respect for urban or rural settings.
In the Columbia River Gorge we are joining ministry with ecumenical partners: those we voted about in 2009, the Methodists. Our Redeemer Lutheran in Hood River and Zion Lutheran in The Dalles have both entered significant ministry partnerships with UMC congregations that are bearing delightful fruit in our ministries and reshaping public opinion about "Christians" as we share clergy, mission and ministry between the congregations.
In North Seattle, there have been two (perhaps more now?) cooperative youth ministries involving big handfuls of tiny and medium sized Lutheran congregations who resource youth staff together. Ten years ago, when I was leading youth ministry at Grace Lutheran in South Seattle, one of these (NESTLEA) used to regularly rally fifty or more exuberant high schoolers for youth events!
Multi-point need not be restricted to extreme rural contexts, nor to "pastoral leadership" alone. As has been noted by others in the conversation, it should be restricted to significantly contextually engaged leaders, as this is profoundly social, often "extroverted" and improvizational work.
Spirit led innovation
I spent my month at Island of Faith in Wrangell, AK, a vital congregation with avg attend. of 15. There is a strong lay worship leadership team there. Bishop Wickstrom is sending them a qualified sem student who will spend some months there as part of her seminary experience. Bishop W is also interested in continuing former Bishop Mike Key's certifying lay people to consecrate the elements of Communion.
While I was there we developed a job description for visiting or resident Pastors -- for those interested in coming to do word and sacrament ministry with them for relatively short durations (usually a month or so, but with provisions for 3 Sundays or less - a working vacation.)
Another retired Pastor and I are sharing word and sacrament responsibility with a small Oregon congregation. Both of us find that as we've worshipped with these folks we become pastorally involved in their life as a congregation and begin working in other facets of their congregational life.
These are ways small, no-longer-traditional congregations are continuing to worship and witness. I'm thankful for Synodical leadership that is partnering in these efforts and blessing the innovations that emerge. Our Bishop Brauer Rieke is big on "adaptive leadership" and seems to be walking the talk with places like this.
I think in both these situations a key is the desire of the congregation to be a worshipping community, their commitment to seeking ordained leadership as they can find it, a commitment to the Gospel, and an appreciation of the ministry those of us who come provide.
This could be a scary time to be church. It's not like many of us knew it. There doesn't seem to be a new normal we can hang our hats on or with which to educate new pastors. But that may be our salvation. Historically the Church has been at it's best when it is weak. Huh. Where have I heard words like that before?
Ecumenicity
Thank you, Chris, for adding the note on ecumencial relationships here. The Heppner situation Pr. Stan Hoobing mentioned is still alive and well with a two point parish yoking an ELCA and Episcopal congregation. (One of the original partners, Valby Lutheran - gateway to Condon - has now left the ELCA for LCMC) Many rual congregations here in Oregon are some distance from their next closest Lutheran partner, but maybe across the street from their Episcopal, Methodist, UCC or Presbyterian counter part. These make great marriages, too!
As mentioned, the main hurdle is often the idea of "thinking bigger," or, of expanding one's sense of being church to embrace another. It can take a while to grow into thie new wine skin, but it can be oh so rewarding!
Speaking as one of our Regional bishops, both my assistant, Susan Kintner, and I regularly check in with our Episcopal and Methodist counterparts. We are fortunate here in Oregon to have other judicatory leaders as anxious to work with us as we are to work with them - all for the great glory of God!
Please disregard reshhia
The note from reshhia is a solicitation and not welcomed here.
Not so fast, sir!
But what if she writes sermons, too?
(Just sayin'.) (innocent grin)
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