by Greg Stovell
Throughout the years, my favorite and most honest prayer has been: Are you kidding me? I grew up among 35 million people in concrete-laden Mexico City, and this was my prayer as I packed and moved to the manse of the Scales Mound Presbyterian Church. Scales Mound is a small town of 350 people in northeastern Illinois. It is surrounded by farmland and 40 minutes from anything that resembles a city. There, two small churches (Apple River and Scales Mound) had partnered with a seminary and asked me to be their student-pastor. Who would’ve known that God would use this courageous partnership to change my life?
These two churches experienced the same challenges and dynamics typical of most small congregations. There are many small churches with aging membership who find it challenging to provide the funds needed for full-time pastoral leadership. This, in turn, has forced them to look into other leadership models such as part-time pastors, tent-makers and commissioned ruling elders. These difficult decisions often leave churches with questions about their future and wondering how long survival is possible if the trends continue.
There are a few congregations, however, who embrace the interesting model I found in northeastern Illinois – a model, which I believe, provides new life and a new identity. The joint vision and educational model of these two churches and the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary has shaped the ministry of many pastors.
I began to serve these churches halfway through my first semester in seminary. Ministry in these two small congregations was unlike anything I had experienced. My responsibilities included leading worship for 18-20 people in each church, attending session meetings, visiting the sick and leading the weekly Bible study. After the first week, I knew I was in way over my head. But soon, I began to discover the churches had all sorts of systems in place to guide my ministry. Apparently, they had done this many times before!
Over 70 years before my arrival, one of the churches approached the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary to establish a solo student pastor ministry, where the student would serve both churches part time. In exchange, the student would be able to live in the manse and receive a modest stipend. This, in itself, is a common practice. What is unique about the model is that instead of worrying about the future and struggle for survival, they rallied around a new calling, developed a new identity, saw themselves as partners with the local seminary and intentionally became a training ground for pastors. The presbytery made room for an area pastor to mentor, supervise and moderate the session meetings. I was so grateful to have Jim as my mentor during my first funeral, first weekly review and countless of times since. The seminary provided just the right support, advisors and tools for the ministry to flourish.
I recently found a folder of sermons I preached during my first year. I still can’t believe the amount of grace and patience they showed after listening to those first cheesy, sentimental, “Chicken Soup for the Soul” sermons. In return, they gave me a place to live, a grace-filled place to train and make mistakes, and a place to grow in faith and theological reflection. I am in awe that they were able to embrace their identity not as consumers of religious goods, but as ministers who serve as training ground for theological students and as congregations who bless them into the world.
There are many small churches in need of pastoral leadership and many students who graduate with minimal pulpit experience. I believe the ground is fertile for God to bless student/small church relationships of this kind. Years later, I served on the presbytery’s committee on preparation for ministry and was amazed at students who proudly reported to us they were able to preach three times that year. In comparison, a typical part-time solo student pastor preaches an average of 40 times a year – a total of 120 sermons and worship services before graduation. I found exposure to the weekly discipline of preaching and day-to-day ministry an invaluable experience throughout seminary.
Seminaries and presbyteries are in unique positions to make these partnerships happen. Of course, there are obvious risks involved such as burnout, poor self-care and costly ministry mistakes. Even so, I believe there are certain cases where, with appropriate support systems and boundaries, the benefits to the students and to the church are immeasurable.
Upon reflecting on the risks and benefits, nothing matches what these churches gave me. In one word, I received grace. Grace from Mary who would once in a while show up at my door with a fresh new bunch of asparagus from her garden. Grace from Leona, an older church member who lived alone invited me to celebrate Mother’s Day with her. Grace from Janet, who played the piano on Sundays and put up with so many of my crazy ideas and Sunday morning curveballs. Grace from Herb, who served as the clerk of session for over 35 years and who taught me what faithful church membership looks like.
For a little over three years, I gave them my best in hopes that God would bless them. In turn, I received not only training, but God provided a large family who nurtured and cared for me while I went through seminary.
This model for theological education is more than just an interesting possibility – it is life changing. It is call affirming. It is a reimagined congregational identity. It is a sacred calling. In short, it is the kind of bold move God orchestrates that leaves people asking, “Are you kidding me?” and in turn, blesses God’s church.
Greg Stovell serves as the lead pastor of First Presby-terian Church in West Chester, Pennsylvania. He holds degrees from the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary and McCormick Theological Seminary.
