Working well on a pastoral team

When I interviewed for my present position, I was told I would work with three senior pastors in three years. The pastor in place had already announced his retirement. I would have eight months with him, then up to two years with the interim before the new senior pastor arrived.

As I considered stepping into this historic but rapidly shrinking center-city congregation, advisers told me repeatedly that the most significant factor for any associate is the rapport with the senior pastor. Now, five years later, the fact that I'm still at that church, still have all my limbs and a vibrant sense of call is due to one thing—God's amazing grace.

Grace for me has come in discovering how I can shape my relationship with my head of staff. I have found that senior pastors also long for good relationships with associates they can trust. Here's what I've learned.

Take the initiative

I did not do much serious dating before meeting my wife, Karen (okay, none actually), ...