Solo Pastor

I think "pastor" is a better noun than verb. I was out of seminary
before I heard it used as a verb, and it struck me as odd. I am a
pastor, which is a role, not a function. I perform many functions in
my role, some better than others, but the role requires me to do
whatever needs to be done at the moment in the name of Christ, if
there is no one else available who can do it more effectively.

The only way this is different from the responsibility of every
Christian is that the pastor has been granted this special role; by
call, by training, and by the affirmation of the people, the pastor is
the default leader.

What is default leadership? I'm reminded of an episode of "Benson"
where the governor and his staff are marooned in a ski lodge, with one
of them (of course!) about to give birth. The governor immediately
speaks calming words and moves to the woman to assist her. Benson
murmurs to him, "You don't know much about this, governor." "You're
right," the governor answers. "But I think I know more about it than
anyone else here."

To shift the analogy: The ministry is more like a baseball team.
Though everyone on the team has a position to play, the game requires
all to do the same things well: throw, catch, and hit.
Indifference to what you are not good at ultimately means that you
aren't much good.

The solo pastorate is still the definitive job in the church. If you
are a solo pastor just marking time until you can be a lead pastor, or
can get a staff position where you do only what you are good
at--well, I will quote the Methodist author of "How to Be Successful
in the Non-Electric Church" back in the seventies: "You had just as
well turn in your credit cards, because you will never be effective."