Starting a New Call: A Top 10 List of Dos and Don’ts

Post Author: Katie Callaway

1. Pace yourself. You are going to be tempted to go, go, go. Don’t give in to the temptation. It’s a marathon, not a sprint. 

2. You are not going to learn all of the names for a while. The congregation has to learn one or two new names. You have to learn a lot. Even beyond the people in the pews, you will eventually learn their names and stories.

3. Take time to listen. Yes, you have to preach good sermons, but as the old adage goes, “You have two ears and one mouth; listen more than you speak.” That’s a hard rule to follow as a person whose largest responsibility is speaking. But listening is going to be key to starting well.

4. Embrace open-handed hope. Hold your plans loosely. Hell, even try throwing your plans out the window. The people have plans. Listen to them. (See #3.)

5. Plan intentional small group gatherings. You can’t learn everyone’s story in church. Plan times to be out in the community, to meet the congregation in their favorite haunts, and to get to know them out in the wild.

6. Find the ashes. This is not figurative. Literally, go and find the ashes for Ash Wednesday, even if it’s half a year away. You will forget and will not be able to find them. Avoid the panicked call to the Catholic priest down the road and just find the ashes.

7. Know your triggers, particularly those triggers associated with church trauma. A large part of pastoring is mindfully navigating challenging spaces in order to guide others in doing so. Just because you are in a new church doesn’t mean the old wounds will stay sealed. Be proactive about triggers and wounds by relying on a great therapist, spiritual director, or coach. Bonus points for having all three on your team.

8. You don’t have to say it all. Early in my pastoral journey, I was tempted with theological vomit when writing sermons. I just wanted to get it all out, likely because I didn’t know the next time I’d get to preach. As a senior pastor, switching the mindset to a long view is challenging. No sermon truly stands alone. Not only do you have next week’s sermon (and the next, and the next, and the next, etc), but you also have other opportunities to share wisdom and guidance for life. Utilize those other opportunities well, and the sermon becomes the cherry on top.

9. Learn about the sacred cows and the stakeholders. Don’t pull the plug too quickly on that beloved tradition that drains the life out of everyone involved. Ask questions. Learn why it began. Take a risk and volunteer to help out with it your first year. Then — and only then — you can start offering suggestions, edits, and alternatives. (This is, of course, only if the sacred cow is, as most are, harmless.)

10. Have fun. When I first became a pastor, I didn’t know how to have fun in the role. My fun was saved for my personal time, which made for a way-too-serious pastor. Don’t be afraid to make jokes. To laugh with congregants. To talk about your favorite Netflix shows and who won the weekend football games. Ensure that your presence is both authentic and light.