Preparing for a New Pastor
Written by Rev. Sarah Upham-Birdsall
How do you prepare to come to worship?
This pastor spends 12 to 15 hours in preparation, beginning on Saturday evening and taking me through to the end of the 11am service. Preparing for worship is spent in prayer, fasting, reviewing the scriptures of the next day. The prayer time is most important to me. I come expecting to be blessed in worshipping God, both in preparation and during the service.
On Sundays, we’re not really here to work. Sure, there is always plenty that can be done any time there’s a body on campus, but Sunday mornings are for worship; a time that God has given us to rest, and use our voices to glorify God. Have you ever gone to a job interview without researching what the company does? What about a doctor’s appointment for bloodwork without fasting (when you’re supposed to be!)? Things typically don’t go very well when you don’t prepare for those events. For me, worship is the same, and you’d be surprised how easy it is to tip me right off my track on a Sunday morning.
I am hoping to convey to each one of you that Sundays - the sabbath Christians observe - are a very sacred time; not an ideal time to bring business to me, or any staff member. Please know that it’s not because we don’t love you, but because all of our attention is in the present. My Spiritual cup is full and my stomach is empty (because of the preparatory fasting). If you have questions or issues for a staff member please, let it wait until office hours. I know it can be tough to put off these conversations, because you see someone you love and you think “Oh right! I wanted to talk to her about this thing!” but I ask that you put in writing what it is you want to convey, and send it by text or email if you have to get it out right right now. If you don’t, please always feel free to make an appointment with pastor or staff during the work week. Our office hours are 9am to 4pm, Monday through Thursday, but if you’re not able to come down during those hours, let any of us know, and we’ll happily chat with you at another time.
As Christians, we talk a lot about giving. Of course, in giving, there is also receiving. When you prepare yourself fully, and give others the opportunity to do the same, you provide a gift not only to them, but to yourself. The time before worship is an ideal time to center yourself, and focus on what is to come, and how we glorify our Creator, and business can really get in the way. Staying centered on Christ is the best gift you can give yourself, and the whole congregation. It helps us as staff, and you as congregants to avoid a “must-do” mindset while we’re worshipping.
I have come to worship each week prepared to be blessed; I learned this a long time ago and it works for me. So I’d like to ask you again: How do you prepare yourself to come to worship?
We are blessed to have many ways to communicate our information to one another and this time of new commitment and reformation is a great time to learn this hard lesson. Your next pastor will be so impressed by your practices of worship preparation, and grateful for the time to center herself as well. It’s a good way to get ready for your new pastor.