Pastor Al Wagstaff is pastor of the King Solomon Missionary Baptist church of Omaha.  He has been pastor there since September of 1985.

First of all, when I think about being the longest standing pastor in ABC Nebraska, I say "Thank You God!"

I believe it has been some twenty-plus years, that King Solomon Missionary Baptist Chruch has been a part of ABC, and "No", it hasn't been all easy, but it has been a joy to lead the Lord's people and its only through the enabling power of Jesus Christ that I have been able to carry on.

In the early years of my ministry at King Solomon, there were many times when I thought "No" this is not for me - I don't need to be bealing with all the ups and downs of people's attitudes.  I'm reminded of what Moses asked the Lord in Exodus 17:4, "What am I to do with these people?  They are almost ready to stone me."  And the Lord said to Moses, "walk ahead of the people, and take with you some of the elders," and as Moses hands grew tired, there were Aaron and Hur there to support him.

So I learned how to seek the leadership of the Holy Spirit, and place the burden of leading God's people on Him.  When we, as Pastors and leaders learn to seek God about His people, our responsibilities become less burdensom, and our role as pastors and leaders become a joy to lead God's people.

Yes, we asked ourselves why it is that people seem to question so many of our moves.  Let's not forget how often we question God when He leads us into rugged area of the ministry, as if He is saying to us, "open your eyes and see how big you can become in me." And so let us not forget that, the overwhelming popularity that Jesus experiences was not as beneficial as it appeared.  The crowds who flocked to Him primarily consisted of curiosity seekers.  They were not devoted to Him as Lord and Messiah.  They followed Him for the excitement, healing, and food He provided.  So we must remember that, all the people that follow us are not following for the right reason.

As the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, "We as a people (ABC) will get to the Promised Land."

2. BENEFIT TO THE CHURCH - I've served two churches as pastor, and I think it takes 4 - 5 years just to get to know each other. Trust is built over time and the sharing of experiences of life and faith.
Once that trust relationship is established a church and pastor can then look at the future, and envision ministries that are new, different, and challenging. It perhaps could be compared to a long term marriage, where you help each other walk through new chapters of life.

3. THE LANDMINES - The greatest landmine in my opinion are hurts. We all face them and they all cause pain. I think that's why many pastorates are short - it's just too painful to stay together, and easier to separate.
But, just as in marriage, if you don't work through the hurts, you never experience the miracles and joys that come over time. It seems that we need to remember the importance of our Christian principles of forgiveness and forbearing with one another. (Ephesians 4:2)
Another landmine is becoming stagnant. God is the Creator. Jesus is giver of living-water. It is wrong for us to become stagnant, when everything about us is living!!!

When Joyce and I came to Scottsbluff First Baptist, we had no idea how long we would be there.  I recall Professor Henry McCanna at Central Seminary in a class on Church Relations telling us that when we accept a call to a church we should plan as if we would be staying forever.  As long as the call continues to be valid and real, we could be in that ministry for a long time. 

After 26 years as Pastors of the church, some have asked, "How did you manage to stay so long?"  Frankly, I'm not sure I can fully answer the question.  I can cite several principles on which we ministered.

#1  I believe ministry is a special calling from God.

#2  I believe that a pastor is called to be a shepherd to the sheep.  A shepherd has to lead for sheep must be led.  You cannot drive sheep as you can drive cattle or horses.

#3  Therefore, the pastor becomes an enabler.  Today, I notice that there are those who look at ministry not as pastoral but as a CEO.

#4  I discovered after 4-6 years, the congregation becomes a new and different fellowship.  Many of the old faithful are still there, but new faces continue to make all things new.  If one does not stay long enough one will never discover this truth.

#5  It will take one whole year (more or less) for the pastor to develop a sense of trust, confidence, and pastoral leadership.  He is now one with the congregation.

#6  As pastor and enabler, the pastor may have a specific agenda in mind, but until it becomes the people's mission it will be difficult to move forward and probably won't.  This is where many new pastors makd a big mistake.  Also, I discovered in many a situation when the first bump in the road occurs some will think, "Oh My-my ministry here is over, and I must move on.  Joyce and I experienced many bumps in the road and with much prayer and discussion the storm was weathered.  Both pastor and people were stronger when it was over.

EXAMPLE:  After some years it became evident we were outgrowing our facilities for children and youth ministries.  We had approached the subject at opportune times that it would be nice to expand south of the parking lot with a youth annex.  When greeted with silence you know that nothing is going to happen. Yet, once in a while the subject would arise again with the same response.  One day at trustee meeting, a member brought up the subject.  Not it became the people's challenge.  Some 14-16 months later the building was dedicated to the glory of God. (Of course, There were some who said it could not be done.)

#7  Our #1 goal during the first years was to build a close concerned fellowship and at the same time to develop lay leadership.  Together with the congregation, it was very successful. At the same tiem, we were experiencing significant church growth.  At the high point in ministry, our fellowship (including the Spanish Chapel) was 600+.

There can be a downside to long pastorates.

#1  Unless the ministry continues to be open, vibrant and fresh, the work can become mundane and stale.  Burn out can occur.  Both God and the people will let you know when this begins to happen.

#2  One of the challenges after a long pastorate, is what happens when a new pastor arrives.  The new pastor will have a significant hill to climb especially if the retiring pastor is leaving with the blessing and under joyful circumstances.  We were fortunate to have both.

We approached our ministry at Scottsbluff Baptist Church as if God had called us to stay forever.  We had numerous calls to go elsewhere but never the call to leave.  Both must be in place.  Therefore, as long as the relationship of both pastor and people were mutually positive one can stay as long as the calling remains real.

Yet, there is a time when you know it is in the best interests of all to move on, and to do it when all is going well.  God will let you know.  Better to leave when there are tears of separation rather than shouts of joy.

One final point.  When I left seminary, I was determined to show that if God remained central to our ministry I could stay somewhere as long as I was let to do so.  I also determined that when I finally would be led to leave the church, everything would be in order and the church would be debt free.  With God's blessing and help we accomplished our goals and rejoice in it.