Pastoral Search: Ancient Help

Is your congregation looking for a new pastor? It is a grueling process for some congregations. Pastors, students, and congregations alike find the process to be less than ideal.

Here's one idea from the late 4th century that could streamline your search: 

In 397, the head pastor of the church in Constantinople (modern day Istanbul) died. His named was Nectarius. He was wildly popular and the city wondered if they could get another pastor of such skill and giftedness. 

Several names were recommended and people within the church began to struggle, politic, and conspire to get their particular candidate elected. One name that was dropped was John Chrysostom, the pastor of the church in Antioch (modern day Antakya), nearly 700 miles to the southeast.

The pastor in Antioch was so well-regarded that the people of Antioch threatened to riot if their pastor was taken away. As a result, the emperor sent troops to Antioch to quell any disruptive and riotous responses to a potential call to their pastor. 

Meanwhile back in Constantinople, the head of the search committee, Eutropius the Eunich (unfortunate name, if you ask me), devised a plan to get John to visit the city and, hopefully, become the next pastor. 

The mayor of the city of Constantinople just happened to be visiting Antioch. A pastoral lunch appointment was set up to meet with John and we all know that the best gyros are in neighborhoods outside the safety of the city walls. John agreed to meet at a chapel and there was the mayor, along with a small faction of the mayor's guards and military protectors. 

Church historians tells us that John was "nearly kidnapped" or "almost abducted" or "forcibly taken"--which essentially means he was kidnapped, abducted, or taken, despite the adverbs. 

For 700 miles the case was made for why John ought to be the next pastor of the city church in Constantinople and when they arrived back in the city--the city welcomed John of Chrysostom, the most famous preacher of the era, with joy and celebration. He, under great pressures, submitted to the call as the will of God, becoming the pastor of the city church in Constantinople. That was 398--the whole process took under a year.

So here's the process: 

A. Find the desired pastor (go big or go home, people). 
B. Send troops to his current congregation (crowd control).
C. Have an aggressive search committee (eunuchs are optional).
D. Set up a pastoral lunch he cannot refuse (preferably at the best hole-in-the-wall). 
E. Physically bring him to the new church (choose your adverbs wisely). 
F. Add pressure (remember pressure makes diamonds). Lots of pressure. 
G. Install as desired. 

You are most welcome. 

Enjoy your new pastor.