"For Such A Time As This"

"For Such a Time as This" is a residency program through the PC(USA) Office of Vocation which offers recent seminary graduates the opportunity to serve as pastors in small, rural churches in need of pastoral leadership. Through the program, recent graduates serve as full-time designated pastors for two years, during which time they receive mentorship from experienced pastors, support from the presbyteries and synods, and the opportunity to further discern a call to small church ministries. In the Fall 2011, Rev. Sarah Ross '10, began her residency in the "For Such a Time as This" program at a small church in Missouri. This week, Sarah shares what her journey as a solo pastor in small town has been like so far. 

Rev. Sarah Ross at her ordination in September 2011.
Photo courtesy of Sarah Ross. 

I am now almost exactly 3 months into my ministry here at First Presbyterian Church of Pleasant Hill, and loving every minute (well, except for the budget meeting). Being a solo pastor in a small town is sometimes a bit of culture shock—I am getting used to being a local celebrity of sorts. So far my presence in town has merited two (yes, two) articles in the local paper. But it is also amazing to become part of this community. I loved going to the town homecoming parade and seeing how excited the kids from church got as they went by on various floats and saw me on the sidelines. 

I feel like I have found the perfect call for me, but I'm not sure I would have considered a small-town Missouri church if it weren't for the For Such a Time as This program. I love my congregation, but being a solo pastor in a small town can be difficult and isolating. Through this residency program, I have a mentor (a pastor in a nearby town) who has been here for decades and knows more history of my congregation than many of my church members know themselves. I have two other colleagues in the presbytery who are doing the same program and struggling through the same issues that I have. We also had an orientation in Louisville with all the residents nationwide, and our group has an active facebook page where we ask each other questions and share ideas—about preaching, worship, pastoral care, and anything else that comes up. Having a group of peers to go to when I have a question like “I know the Book of Order says this, but here's what's really happening in my congregation.... what do I do?” is an invaluable resource.

If any Presbyterian students at McCormick are interested in small-church ministry, I would strongly encourage them to apply to For Such a Time as This. I would be more than happy to answer questions or chat with interested students. Feel free to e-mail me at sross@go.mccormick.edu.