Welcoming your new pastor in genuine and effective ways lays the groundwork for a healthy and vital relationship to form and for stable, long-term ministries develop. Here are 10 practical things you can do without much trouble. I’ll bet you can think of even more things to do as well.
- Open your hearts and decide that you are going to love your new pastor
- Pray daily for the new pastor and family.
- Send cards of welcome and encouragement to the incoming pastor.
- Introduce yourself to the pastor repeatedly! You have one name to learn, your pastor has many names to learn. And be sure to ask her what name she prefers to be called.
- Wear name tags for a few first few months to help the pastor learn names. And if you need a name tag, just let the church office know by leaving a note in the offering plate or sending an email to office@calvaryumc.org.
- Offer to go with the pastor for introductions and support if there are particularly urgent pastoral situations (a member near death or a member who has just died).
- Members of the church can offer to take the pastor to meet church members in their businesses or other work settings.
- Offer to participate in small group sessions to meet and talk with the new pastor.
- Provide local media with information about the new pastor.
- Introduce the new pastor to public and community leaders.
Grace and peace,
Pastor Steve