Part-Time Is Plenty
Part-Time is Plenty by G. Jeffrey MacDonald, published by Westminster John Knox Press, addresses the problem of main-line Protestant congregations who can no longer afford full-time clergy. Due to declining membership and budget deficits, churches are switching to part-time clergy. This book provides a new model where congregations can flourish and thrive with part-time clergy.
MacDonald writes from his own experience as a part-time minister, researcher and journalist. He interviews 20 churches and documents different strategies that transform congregations into vibrant, healthy churches. Part-time clergy become a blessing, a divine gift. Perhaps your own church is struggling with their decision to call a part-time minister. The church’s leadership committees may be experiencing fear, expressing negative thoughts. “This is bad news,” “we have always had a full-time minister,” “we are a dying church,” “it will only be temporary,” “this is only a half-hearted solution.” These negative stigmas can be turned around, not only by freeing up funds, but by finding renewed energy and promise. It is through Scripture that we find guidance. The Apostle Paul was a tent-maker who did not rely on full-compensation from the church. He relied on a secular trade in order to enhance the Gospel. Paul’s letters help us understand that spiritual maturity lends itself to do what is necessary to enhance the flock.
The key to transitioning to part-time ministry is planning ahead. What a great resource to help guide your lay leaders to the next step! Once the needs are assessed, the congregational leadership can revision a church that is not solely clergy-centered. For example, lay leaders take on new roles by discovering hidden talents and learning lay pastoral skills such as visitation and lay preaching. When the expectations have changed, spiritual gifts are tapped. For this reason, PRC (Practical Resources for Churches) has developed a new webinar series call PEW to PULPIT to address the need for additional training.
The pastor’s role also needs to be redefined so as not to have unrealistic expectations. Chapter 3 outlines various roles: 1) Pastor as Equipper, 2) Pastor as Ambassador, 3) Pastor as Multi-staff member. Pastor as Equipper builds up the layperson’s capacity for effective ministry. Pastor as Ambassador goes out into the community as outreach. Pastor as Multi-staff member allows other staff to thrive in areas of administration, music or building maintenance. The next question remains on how the part-time pastor can afford to make a living. The pastor is in a unique position to add another vocation such as working for a non-profit agency, hospice chaplain or as a yoked pastor. It is, however, essential that members are supportive of the other position by honoring the pastor’s time and the pastor’s tent-making role. Respecting necessary boundaries empowers the new vision of Part-Time Clergy.
Finally, I highly recommend this book to governing bodies within mainline Protestant churches, committees that are assessing their financial needs, and church discussion groups that wish to explore the changing climate of the church. The concrete models provide a map that embraces the biblical principles of the priesthood of all believers, renewed life and commitment within the Reign and Power of God.
