The tension a pillar must feel in a new church

Every church has pillars. Even in as far back as the New Testament.

Every church I’ve worked at had a few.

My home church had some.

My current church has some.

A pillar will be a member of the congregation who maintains the values, selflessly serves and - in short - holds the unspoken wisdom of the church.

But, what happens when they make a jump to another church?

How do they feel?

What do they see?

I suspect, being in a new congregation comes with a sense of freedom.

You’re not a pillar. 

You’re anonymous.

You’re not relied upon.

You’re not the first to arrive nor expected to be the last to leave.

You’re free to worship without a checklist of duties.

You’re able to observe a fresh context for faith.

You’re able to meet new people.

But, there must also be a sense of loss.

Loss of importance.

Loss of involvement.

Loss of familiarity.

When a pillar jumps - no matter what the circumstances - it must be a temptation to slot into your familiar roles in the new church.

Get on a roster.

Share your experiences.

Recycling some of your previous wins.

When a pillar jumps, it must be a strange mix of release and a desire to dive into a new congregation.

The challenge for those within the new worshipping community is to balance this tension in such a way that a long-term-valuable-congregant is accepted for who they are on day-one, not the potential to be a pillar in their new church.