Neil Powell gives us an insight into life as a pastor of a free church
A. What are the joys and advantages for ministry in the free church?
As a Church
1. Flexibility! When supported by a gospel-minded congregation there is enormous opportunity to adapt very quickly to changing situations or circumstances and to be creative and radical in approaches to church. There are not the concerns of interested third parties who may try and block ministry opportunities e.g. members of the community who take an interest in the parish church but are not active Christian members of the church.
2. Freedom to plant new congregations and churches without fear of offending neighbouring parishes.
3. Finances. All money raised goes straight to facilitating gospel ministry and does not disappear into denominations and structures – members of churches therefore have extra reasons to give generously as a result.
Personally
1. In-fighting. It is a particular joy not to have to concern ourselves with the politics that beset those who serve in mixed denominations. There is no pressure from within the structures of the church to compromise on belief or to associate with those who do not hold to the tenets of the faith.
2. Purity. Many Free churches operate a Membership system which requires all of those who wish to take an active part in the life of the church to agree to the church’s statement of faith ensuring that only those who demonstrate a commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ belong to the local church. A membership system also provides a clearer context for church discipline.
B. What are the challenges/disadvantages/frustrations particular to Free Church ministry?
As a church
1. In a culture that is increasingly detached from its Christian heritage Free Churches are often treated with varying degrees of suspicion from simple misunderstanding (try explaining what a free church is to the next person you meet in Sainsbury’s) to downright hostility – ‘you’re from that evangelical church are you!’ As a result free churches tend to find it harder to develop a recognised standing or role in the community that opens up opportunities for evangelism e.g. community Christmas carol service or invitations to take school assemblies, etc.
2. When I lived at an Anglican Vicarage for two years as a student the doorbell would ring regularly as members of the community came seeking advice, asking for help, requesting baptisms or church weddings. Now as a free church minister non-Christians are also much less likely to call or to walk into the church there are quite simply fewer points of contact with the community.
3. Free churches therefore have to work hard to make themselves understood and get involved. If they don’t they can feel a little isolated and it is hard for the church not to develop an isolationist attitude.
4. Most free churches are congregational in government, meaning that key decisions and appointments are made through a vote by all of the members of the congregation. The result of decision-making in this manner is that if the church is evenly split on whether or not to proceed with a new appointment or project, consensus is difficult to reach. In smaller churches the resistance of just a few members may be enough to delay the implementation of some necessary and urgent changes. Finding and appointing new ministers can be a lengthy process leaving churches for months or even years without a minister.
Personally
1. The minister, as someone appointed by the congregation, held accountable by the congregation, paid by the congregation may well find himself more led by the congregation and what they think he should do than he would wish. His position makes him vulnerable to the wishes of the congregation, after all they may say he is ‘their’ minister appointed to run ‘their’ church. It takes a brave Christian to approve of the appointment and then pay the salary of a minister who desires to make radical changes against the will of many in the congregation.
2. For free churches there is no standard route into training and future ministry service. For a small church funding those suitable for full-time gospel ministry through a two or three year course at a Bible College is expensive, especially for couples with a young family. Single, local congregations often cannot afford the considerable expense on top of a pastor’s salary. Once out of college more junior posts such as assistant pastor, similar in role to a curate, are few and far between. The result is that many go straight from college into roles in which they have little if any on-the-job support and further training.
3. Linking those who are ready to serve with opportunities for service can be difficult.
4. As an individual there maybe no-one to whom you are accountable which makes it a somewhat dangerous situation to be in. It can also be a lonely experience.
C. What are the main opportunities for ministry in a Free Church?
1. Many churches will only be able to appoint one minister whose is set-apart as the preacher-teacher leading the church with a team of lay-elders. Larger churches may have openings to appoint assistant ministers who function in a role somewhat similar to a curate in the Anglican Church. There are limited but growing openings for part-time or full-time Women’s workers.
D. Apprenticeship schemes
1. The historic model in many free churches is of one minister who ‘does it all’. The result can be that congregations do not instantly see the value of apprenticeship schemes.
2. Perhaps the key benefit of a training scheme is providing those who are considering some form of long-term full-time gospel ministry in the future with an opportunity to discover the challenges and advantages of free church ministry outlined above.
Neil Powell
Pastor at City Evangelical Church, Birmingham