Jon Pope
We love new things. New clothes, new cars, new shoes. In this new era of college football, schools seem to love finding new coaches, too.
For many young pastors, planting new churches is the preferred avenue to ministry — and for good reason. Church planting offers meaningful benefits: a fresh gospel presence in a community, an ideal context for shaping a church’s identity, polity and governance, and a blank slate on which a congregation’s culture can be formed around biblical patterns.
Truthfully, as a young pastor still early in my ministry, I find these things attractive as well.
But here is an alarming statistic: roughly 400 Tennessee Baptist churches will gather this coming Sunday without a pastor. Some congregations have gone years without an undershepherd. Many of these churches — perhaps most — are older, established congregations.
We certainly need new church plants across our state. But in many cities and small towns like my own, what we may need most are healthier established churches with faithful, committed pastors.
With a personal burden for these churches and for my fellow young pastors, here are three reasons why a young pastor should consider giving his life in service to an established church.
- Established churches desire a future
We have all heard stories of ambitious young men eager to serve in established congregations, only to become discouraged when they are met with suspicion or doubt. This can be especially true for a green, passionate, freshly minted seminary graduate.
However, this has not been my experience, nor do I believe it is the norm among churches filled with genuine, born-again believers. Many established churches are hopeful about calling a young pastor and welcoming his family into the life of the church for the long haul. They want their church to thrive for years to come.
Seasoned saints often understand that the long-term fruit of a committed pastor far outweighs the growing pains they may endure as a young pastor learns — and occasionally fails — along the way. Churches with this perspective offer beautiful opportunities for young pastors to mature in obedience to God’s Word.
- Established churches have roots
When I came to Springhill Baptist Church in 2023, I did not have to worry about where we would meet, who would help lead worship through song, or how I would learn more about our neighborhood and community. Those structures were already in place.
The saints here have worshiped, served and evangelized faithfully, building a family-oriented culture in the Paris community for nearly 200 years.
That legacy is invaluable — both for the church’s reputation in the community and for its sense of identity. These roots remind both pastor and congregant that they belong to something bigger and more enduring than themselves.
Older churches often have areas that need biblical reform, and such transitions require wisdom, patience and love.
Still, their deep roots provide resources and relationships that can help pave the way for meaningful growth. Young pastors can benefit greatly from this kind of foundation.
- Established churches need shepherds
I am in my third year of pastoral ministry at Springhill, which was founded in 1848.
The church had been without a pastor for nearly a year before I arrived. My heart grieved as members shared how difficult that season had been.
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Sadly, some churches have been pastor-less for years, not months.
Christ’s churches need loving, qualified undershepherds because the people in them are Christ’s sheep.
Many congregations are filled with older saints who love Christ deeply, hunger for the Word and humbly desire a pastor who will lead them through Scripture and prayer.
While calling a pastor is not a cure-all, Christ intends for his flock to be led by pastors (Ephesians 4:11-16; I Peter 5:1-4; Hebrews 13:17). These opportunities abound, and these saints need loving, patient, self-sacrificing, Bible-loving shepherds.
I came intending to pour myself out for their needs, but I have found that they have done the same for me. They have loved my family, encouraged me generously and lifted me up faithfully in prayer.
I am grateful for our Tennessee pastors and church planters alike.
But for young and aspiring pastors, consider this vision: What might God do through you if you committed for the long haul to love, serve and shepherd an established church for the next 20 or 30 years? And what might He do in you?
My prayer is that God will raise up more young pastors with a biblical vision for pastoral ministry — and hearts willing to live it out among the churches that need it most. B&R
