tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35889031.post1834185613741291872..comments2023-11-05T00:58:55.352-07:00Comments on A Peculiar Prophet: Making Appointments WorkWilliam H. Willimonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00002821401928222858noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35889031.post-20691640392125798662010-10-11T12:40:11.364-07:002010-10-11T12:40:11.364-07:00Joe
The study was done by Lovette Weems at Wesley...Joe<br /><br />The study was done by Lovette Weems at Wesley Seminary. You might want to check with him on particulars. I think it was simply an average, without regard to local specifics. But I see your point. We have about 70 elders who are currently at churches that have under 125 in attendance, so I know that there are some churches that can pull it off. However, nearly all of those churches, except for a few of them, pull it off by not paying their full fair share of apportionments so, in a sense, as I see it, they are all being subsidized by other churches picking up some of the cost of their being a part of the connection.<br /> <br />I think that the study at least reinforces that 125 is a nice cut off mark. If a church is below that number, then something has got to give.<br /> <br />Thanks for reading the blog and thanks for the conversation.<br /> <br />WillWilliam H. Willimonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00002821401928222858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35889031.post-17353968906968758292010-10-06T06:28:05.169-07:002010-10-06T06:28:05.169-07:00Bishop Willimon,
I'm an inquiring candidate f...Bishop Willimon,<br /><br />I'm an inquiring candidate for elder in Austin, TX, and am curious: does the study that recommends 125 worshippers for a viable church to have a full-time pastor take into account the socioeconomic background of the neighborhood of a particular congregation? <br /><br />I ask this because the church I attend is in a growing church with about 80-90 in worship on any given Sunday, and a full-time pastor. Since it is a neighborhood church in a poor neighborhood, increasing their membership will not increase their financial viability. They're currently implementing strategies to increase their financial viability, but even if they grow to 125, they would be unable to support their ministries on their own. The church is otherwise successful in its programming, ministries, and being in community with the neighborhood, which has largely been possible with their full-time pastor.<br /><br />I guess what I'm asking is if you think the "125 worshipper-to-pastor" threshold is a hard rule, or a general guideline.<br /><br />In Christ,<br />Joe TognettiUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09255545471457038899noreply@blogger.com