Whatever our views on this important issue – and I think this topic requires a great deal more thought than I am able to give in a blog post – it seems to me that this is an area that requires greater theological reflection in our present thinking on “calling.” Not only pastors, but also Christ’s sheep may be damaged by unwise, careless “processes” where “pastoral calls” have more in common with high-school dating – apologies to home-schoolers who can’t relate – than with biblical principles.
How do we deal with the tricky matter of pastors moving from one congregation to another?
Some time ago I was in a session meeting with my elders, discussing my salary, and the phone rang (a long distance call). Within a minute of the phone conversation, I was asked about becoming the pastor at another congregation. The thought of putting the gentleman on speakerphone never occurred to me until well after my salary had been decided!
The topic of pastors receiving calls, searching for calls, and transferring from one church to another is exceedingly complex. The Early Church addressed this issue, and made provisions against the practice of pastors carelessly and selfishly hopping from one church to another.
John Owen also addressed this issue. As he reflected back on the Early Church, he writes:
“For when some churches were increased in members, reputation, privileges, and wealth, above others, it grew an ordinary practice for the bishops to design and endeavor their own removal from a less unto a greater benefice.”
Owen also explains how the councils of Nicea and Chalcedon were strongly against the practice of pastors moving from one church to another due to the aforementioned reasons. These councils “would not allow that a man might be a bishop or presbyter in any other place but only in the church wherein he was originally ordained; and, therefore, if any did so remove themselves, decreed that they should be sent home again, and there abide, or cease to be church-officers” (Conc. Nicea. can. 15,16; Chalced., can. 5, 20).
The concept of “open contending for ecclesiastical promotions, benefices, and dignities, were then either unknown or openly condemned.”
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