Hello from Defiance Ohio, where we have been engaged in a shared ministry relationship with St John United Church of Christ since April 15 this year. The pastor at St John and I had been looking at this possibility for the churches’ futures for about 3 years. We began discussions with the Session and Consistory (board at UCC church), separately and together, beginning in the spring of 2023. By the fall, when he announced his retirement, we began to put together a plan.
Each church board appointed a team to meet with one another to begin to make a plan. We used the Eastminster Presbyterian Church and St Peter’s United Church of Christ Shared Ministry Agreement as a template to lead our discussion (on the presbytery website). We discussed new worship times for each church, how to share the pastor’s compensation and formed a team of 4 (2 from each congregation).
I volunteered to be the experimental shared minister for the remainder of my tenure (9 months or so) as I am retiring at the end of the year. Our new worship times allow me fully 30 minutes to drive across the bridge on Sunday mornings. It takes 5 minutes, and I often have time to visit after the first service (briefly) and/or for another cup of coffee at the 2nd church. As pastor, I attend 4 stated meetings a month- Session and Presby. Deacons, UCC Deacons and Spiritual Council/ Consistory (which happen back -to- back), plus the Shared Ministry Committee meetings. I am able to keep a schedule where I am present in each church building during the week, and work with each secretary to get worship material out in a timely manner. Pastoral care and fellowship activities continue to go smoothly.
The challenges are getting to know a new congregation and how it operates (UCC style is different) and the churches have had to adjust to the pastor being in their church building ½ the time. Being in the same town makes that a little easier. St John is on the Campus of Defiance College, so I have had the privilege of working with the college in a limited way. Another adjustment- sermons are a bit shorter; no one minds.
We have continued some joint activities already begun in previous years, and are adding a couple as we move forward, centered around, worship, fellowship and service to the community.
This arrangement has alleviated some financial stress for each congregation in that they share the pastor’s compensation 50/50, including pension/medical dues. In August, we had discussions and votes within each congregation, and the result was overwhelmingly in favor of moving forward in a shared pastoral ministry arrangement as they look for the next pastor together. Those plans are now in place. In addition, St John UCC members are working to formalize a very part- time college chaplain relationship which would make the new pastoral call as the two congregations and the college.
We think it is an exciting move forward for both congregations in Defiance.
-Ann Wasson, pastor at First Presbyterian Church & St. John United Church of Christ, Defiance OH
