By Rev. Dr. Dawn Darwin Weaks
Pastor, Connection Christian Church
Ten years have gone by in a hurry! Our family moved to the Basin in September of 2014, beginning our adventure here in the oil patch.
My husband and I serve as co-pastors of Connection Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). After a decade together, we can testify that these folks have taught us more about how to love than we have taught them.
During our tenure here, we’ve seen a lot of pastors at various churches come and go, and we’ve seen a few stay. I’ve been thinking about why we love this congregation so much, and why we’ve stuck here. I hope it’s helpful for you as you consider your own church and pastor, or what you might look for in a church and pastor. Here’s how our congregation takes good care of us:
We share the ministry. At our congregation, it’s been abundantly clear from the beginning that it’s not all up to the pastor. We’ve done some big things together and our leaders have shouldered their part, in prayer, in generosity, and in sweat equity. They don’t expect us to be superhuman. We have a Savior, and they know it’s not the pastor.
They make a point to encourage us. Whether it’s checking in after a hard week or sending a note to say “good job” after an event, our folks know that pastors are empowered by their people. They celebrate our birthdays and wedding anniversary and they say thank you, a lot. They also pray for us regularly, and prayer makes pastors better.
They give us ample time off. This congregation honors our time away and encourages us to take it. They not only give us abundant vacation but also offer to help while we’re gone. They don’t text us at all hours or expect us to check e-mail on our days off. They know we need down time.
They take responsibility for their own spiritual growth. Connection folks are eager to learn and grow! While we resource them and coach them on their journeys, they are reading, learning, serving, and stepping out of their comfort zones as God leads them. I’ve heard of the complaint “my church doesn’t feed me.” Well, unless you’re an infant, the spiritual feeding is up to you!
We laugh together — a lot. Our congregation just celebrated our “Odessaversary” with a big dinner party and fundraiser. In one grand day of giving, they contributed an amazing amount to finish paying off the note on our new-to-us church building. That was so inspiring! And equally special was that they “roasted” us as their pastors with hilarious quips poking fun at us. The church that doesn’t take itself too seriously is my kind of church.
A lot of people think that good pastors create great churches. But what I know to be true is that great churches create good pastors. Thank God for Connection Christian Church here in Odessa, Texas!
