Yesterday I was doing a little bit of research using the BUGB directory (!) to find out a bit more about the predecessor of mine who died last Thursday. It transpired that he was a 'Bristol Man' and that Dibley was his first pastorate. I checked out the other, still living ministrers of DBC and it emerged that it was either their first or last pastorate, and that in recent time the church has oscillated between ministers approaching retirement (safe hands) and ministers fresh out of college (as I was once told, "we can't afford anything better"). Of those still living at the the time the directory was published, two of the 'fresh' ministers had trained at Bristol and the 'pre-retirement' one was an ex-Methodist who trained at Didsbury (which of course by then was not in Didsbury but Bristol).
All of this inevitably impacts the church's character - fresh faced twenty-something men from Bristol could be (s)mothered, whilst 60+ experienced ministers weren't likely to rock the boat. Small wonder a forty-year-old woman from Northern caused such ripples!!
There are other patterns too - some incredibly long pastorates in the early years (heading towards forty years) and some very short ones - a year or less - but mostly in the 4-7 year range (something I was already aware of having previously looked at the durations and wondered what, if anything, that meant). This also gives a 'feel' to the character of the place.
I wonder how much churches ever notice their own characteristics (actually I don't really wonder, I have some views!) never mind reflect on how it shapes their lives.
So, what are the implications of being a 'firsts and lasts' church? I have some views, but what might others think? And what are the patterns in other churches...?
Comments
My churches are first churches - 4 of the last 5 Ministers going back to 1963 & 64 respectively have been first pastorates - and most of those have trained at Manchester/Northern (and one at Western - which became part of Northern)
I think the link to the College is to do with Lancashire Independency and the close link the College has always had with those churches. I guess they are first churches because they are neither too demanding or too extreme - so they are good churches to be grounded in pastoral ministry. But it does mean that they can lose momentum and need to deal with another newcomer with bright new ideas but with all the mistakes that come whilst learning - but then perhaps that is where they get their spark. I have said that when I move on they should really be looking for someone with experience - but I can see why the Moderators would want to introduce someone to a first pastorate for they have good people who allow you to make mistakes and find your voice.
My neighbouring church normally gets a last ministry - probably because it is one of the bigger more high profile church's in the denomination. They are very demanding and have almost driven the last two into the ground - so much so that at the last vacancy they made a point of not seeking someone nearing retirement. It's a church which should be able to look after a new minister - it has lots of experienced forward thinking lay folk that should be able to guide and help - unfortunately you also need to be wily in the ways of church politics, and so should never be a first pastorate.
Interesting that you feel that fresh faced 20 somethings can be smothered in the first pastorate - I don't think that is the case here - although my predecessors are more in that category but I've not got that impression from them or the congregations, I had a career before as did the last but one Minister - and those who came in the early sixties are recently retired, fondly remembered and speak well of their time here - I think they also found these churches to be good places to learn - perhaps that is the key to be first churches.