Search across the Southern Baptist Convention and you will find churches with pastors who have long tenures and even other ministers who have been at the same church for a number of years.
In a society, however, where the average stay of a minister at a church is normally less than six or seven years, it would be hard pressed to find a church that matches Central Baptist Church in Crossville, Tennessee. The church has four ministers with a combined 115 years of service with the congregation.
Roland Smith, senior pastor, will celebrate his 40th anniversary with the congregation next spring. What makes that even more unusual is that three of the church’s six other ministers have been with him 17 years or more — Billy Kemp, legacy pastor, 32 years; Scott White, executive pastor, 27 years; and Terry May, marriage and family pastor, 17 years.
In addition, many of the office’s staff have long tenure as well, including Rhonda Andrews who has served as Central’s office manager for 27 years.
Smith said that when the church calls a staff member, they ask about their goals. “We hope that when someone joins our staff that they’re prepared to stay the rest of their lives.
“Now, we understand God may move any one of us tomorrow, but we come with the intention of working and staying together and it has worked,” Smith affirmed.
The main requirement when looking for a staff member is to find someone who theologically aligned with the other staff members, Smith said.
“We don’t have to agree on all the finer points but we do have to agree on the basics such as authority of the Scripture, salvation by grace through faith and eternal security,” he said.
What keeps them together, he laughed, “is a lot of grace and mercy from the Lord” and from each other. He noted that he and his ministers laugh a lot and they do not carry grudges.
“We don’t have to think alike when it comes to major decisions to bring something before the church,” Smith said. “We get together on the same page before we present anything to the church and we make sure we have sensed the Lord’s leadership in it and are agreed, and then we stand together.”
May noted that the staff is a brotherhood in Christ. “We’ve worked hard to build strong relationships. We serve the Lord together but we’re also invested in each other’s life and we truly care about one another.”
Common thread
A common thread among the staff ministers is that they all began at the church as the youth minister and eventually moved into other roles.
“I like to think that we chose good men who are flexible and as their perspective on life and ministry has changed, the Lord has worked it out so we can accommodate them and put them in a different ministry.”
“The fact that we’ve been able to make lateral moves was a difference maker for me,” said White.
“Transition from one pastoral position can be a challenge but also a blessing,” Kemp said. While he sensed he would one day transition to senior adults, the move came sooner than he expected. “The Lord has blessed. We have had other staff members transition from one position to another and it has gone well and been God-honoring,” he affirmed.
White also credited the leadership of Smith. “Roland has never been a micromanager. There’s been a lot of freedom to do whatever it is that you’re supposed to be doing.”
‘Unique church’
All four ministers agree that the church members are a key to their longevity.
“Central is a unique church,” Smith affirmed. “It’s a very loving and giving church and it also is a forgiving church. We have made our share of mistakes but they’re willing to forgive and they love us. And, we all love being here. That’s part of staying here.”
The formula has worked. When Smith arrived nearly 40 years ago, Central had an average attendance of about 100. Today, it averages between 650–750. “Our growth has been consistent and slower than a lot of churches would want,” Smith acknowledged.
“But, it’s been a healthy growth that has been good and steady,” he added.
Chris Van Brocklin, chair of the deacons at Central, noted that one of the things he likes about the staff is that “they are not swayed by fads.” The core ministries, such as Upward Basketball and choir, have remained strong and the church has had solid, biblical expository preaching, he said.
Little turnover
He also noted that Central staff and volunteers have very little turnover. “Currently, we have a very solid staff with a mixture of young and old who are very confident in their positions. And, the congregation is very unified and supportive,” Van Brocklin observed.
Joe Sorah, Harvest Field 5 leader for the TBMB and a longtime pastor, affirmed that Central is unqiue among churches in “this day of short tenures. Central breaks the trend of staff turnover with staff members committed to the long-term health of the church and care for one another,” he observed.
Sorah also credited Smith’s leadership. “The lead pastor sets the pace beginning with prayerful screening of staff applicants, and by continually monitoring staff culture, ensuring a workplace of trust, respect, and love. When all staff members feel valued, that their work matters, and that their voice is heard, and they are properly compensated, staff members want to stay.”
Smith has a desire that other churches experience what Central has. “There’s so many perks with longevity. I wish pastors understood this,” he said.
Kemp, who is the second longest tenured minister on staff, agreed. “It is a blessing to see over the years how God works in the church family who are faithful to His Word and to missions.”
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Lonnie Wilkey and originally published by the Baptist and Reflector, newsjournal of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board.
