In some regions of the Adventist church, there may be a head pastor for each congregation—even more than one. In the midwest, however, that is rarely the case.

Throughout the Mid America Union Conference it’s common to find pastors covering multiple churches across large geographic areas. Here in Missouri’s most southeastern district, for instance, one pastor has historically served four churches spread across more than 100 miles. Today, there are only three churches, but the challenges remain just as real.

Many churches in MAUC have the same challenges. Sharing a pastor means one, possibly two Sabbaths per month with the pastor. It means arranging midweek schedules so the pastor can make it to each meeting. Often it means hosting potluck so the pastor can have lunch before making the long drive back home.

Then there is the reality of not having a pastor at all. In years past, the southeastern Missouri district has seen very little of some pastors, and very much of others. Then, recently, there was no pastor as one had to relocate and a replacement couldn’t be found. The churches which individually have an average attendance between 15 and 50 had to somehow make-do without a pastor for 11 months. This is how they survived.

United in Christ

Allen Little, head elder of the northernmost church in the district cited unification as his one survival skill during this time. He shared it was Dean Coridan, former president of the Iowa-Missouri Conference who taught him the importance of unity back in 1991, when Coridan served as pastor of the MidRivers Church in St. Peters, Missouri. Allen shared unity in Christ at every opportunity while the Farmington Church went without a pastor. “How easy it is to do our own thing,” he shared, “but what a huge mistake it is. God’s way won’t be the same as our way, but it’s always the best way.”

Jerry Denning, head elder of the Cape Girardeau Seventh-day Adventist Church shared a similar insight. “Leaning on Jesus,” is the only thing needed to survive as a church, he said, pastor or no.

Willing to Lead

There are those who will lead from the sidelines and others who will stand at the pulpit. This won’t always be the pastor, and in districts like this one, it can’t be. Benjamin Moore, head elder at the southernmost church in the district, says the biggest survival skill that kept Peace Point Chapel going was willing speakers.

“The church should be able to operate without a pastor,” shares Benjamin. “However, having enough willing speakers for Sabbath morning can be difficult in a small church.” The church in Sikeston did have enough speakers, barring emergencies, but this wasn’t always the case for Farmington and Cape Girardeau, who had to bring in speakers from other areas and even from the conference at times.

Communication is Key

How does a church bring in speakers from outside the congregation and local leadership? Communication. Jerry Denning shared that the conference has been instrumental in bringing speakers in, whether or not the church is without a pastor. Specifically, Lee Rochholz, Iowa-Missouri Conference president, made the trip to Cape Girardeau to officiate communion services and Tim Saxton, field staff for the conference, spoke on more than one Sabbath morning.

Allen (from the Farmington Church) shared with regret that he hadn’t reached out to the other churches in the district, saying, “Maybe we could’ve helped each other.” Allen kept in close contact with the conference office, though, citing one particular time the conference was instrumental in helping to resolve an issue at the local church.

When asked about conference involvement, Pastor Lee Rochholz said, “What is helpful to us is for churches not to be afraid to reach out—to call to tell us what they’re struggling with.” This may come as a surprise to members, but Lee says it’s not just elders who can reach out. “No chain of command exists in our conference. Elders and any church members are free to call me anytime they want to.”

Pastor Shortage and Preparing Your Church

Surprisingly the smallest church in the district (Sikeston) is the one that didn’t need to bring in outside speakers and had very little need to involve the conference in local affairs. Benjamin says the reason is the local leadership. Historically, the Sikeston church has seen little of their pastors until recent years. This has made for a strong local leadership base that keeps the church going and is what Benjamin shares will be the best way to prepare your church for pastorless periods as we continue to face a pastor shortage in Mid-America territory.

Pastor Lee adds, “The backbone of every church are the elders. Pastors come and go, but the elders are constant. They’re consistent and that’s the backbone of the local church. Iowa-Missouri’s view is that the pastor and the elder are the same. The pastor may have multiple churches they’re overseeing, but the elders are in the church. That’s biblical and supported by the Spirit of Prophecy as well.”

So, were the elders prepared to operate without a pastor for 11 months? Pastor Lee admits the conference could do a better job training elders. Yet elders Jerry Denning, Allen Little, and Benjamin Moore say they felt equipped.

What equipped them? Perhaps trusting the Lord is what sustained them.

Tips for Surviving Without a Pastor:

Reach out to the other churches in the district —Allen Little
Don’t wait for a pastor to arrive before you reach out to struggling members. —Benjamin Moore
The squeaky wheel gets the oil. If the conference doesn’t know the problem, they can’t help find a solution —Jerry Denning
Come to the meetings the conference sets up in the wake of a pastor’s move. This is where the conference learns the needs of the churches. —Lee Rochholz
Finding speakers is difficult with or without a pastor. Plan ahead. —Jerry Denning
Focus on unity from the pulpit and in conversations, just like Jesus did. —Allen Little
Find resources to help your church elders, even ask the conference to host a training in your district. —Benjamin Moore
There is no one in particular to call at the conference office. Any member is able to call any conference employee they feel they can communicate with best. —Lee Rochholz
Don’t wait until you have a pastor to make major decisions for your local church. The pastor will come alongside the church. —Rachel Ashworth
Don’t be afraid to use the Elder Handbook and the Church Manual. They are great resources. —Rachel Ashworth