Interview: Strategies for Facilitating the Handover Between New and Seasoned Church Workers

Two Hands Passing Relay Baton
Two Hands Passing Relay Baton (photo: Pixabay.com)
By Li ShiguangJuly 12th, 2023

Since the inception of the reform and opening-up in 1978, churches in China have witnessed a steady growth throughout the nation. During this time, young pastors have traversed a long journey, gradually transitioning into elderly individuals with graying hair. Now, the time has come for the crucial transition and succession within the church.

However, presently, numerous churches are confronted with the challenge of either lacking young workers, leaving no successors to carry forward the mantle, or, in cases where young workers are available, elderly workers are hesitant to relinquish their roles.

Wang Yun (pseudonym), a dedicated church worker in a southern city, shared with the Christian Times, an online Christian newspaper in China, that several prominent churches in his city have effectively accomplished the baton-passing process from senior to new workers, elucidating their approach.

He highlighted the significance his city's churches place on the training of young staff members. Even during their time as ordinary believers, they are encouraged to establish a firm foundation of faith. Wang explained that, apart from engaging in Bible study, scripture memorization, and sermon listening, their churches even conduct "Bible proficiency exams" to encourage the recitation of Bible verses.

Furthermore, he emphasized that churches make concerted efforts to ensure the well-being of young workers. Nowadays, all pastors receive salaries. However, Wang pointed out that, to his knowledge, many churches, particularly rural ones, still lack the awareness of providing salaries to pastoral workers, similar to more than a decade ago in his region.

Wang Yun also shared his experiences on how the church in his vicinity successfully manages the baton-passing process.

Recognizing their advancing age and the imminence of retirement, the elder pastors within the church understand the challenges of handling numerous church matters at their stage in life. Hence, they willingly step aside, allowing young workers to shoulder the responsibility for the church.

Wang Yun also shared his experience of how the church in his area can successfully hand over the baton.

To ensure a smooth transition and effective governance, the church has implemented a retirement system where any church worker must retire upon reaching a specific age.

According to Wang Yun, to his knowledge, in a particular church within his region, individuals above the age of 60 are ineligible to serve as church leaders. Additionally, each person can hold office for a maximum of two terms, with each term lasting four years.

Wang further mentioned that in most churches within his area, pastoral workers are required to retire at the age of 65. Moreover, the authority of church management personnel is carefully regulated and balanced, involving three entities: the pastorate, the church council, and the general assembly of believers.

We hope that more young people can take over the baton from the older generation of pastors and wholeheartedly serve the Lord throughout their lives.

- Translated by Abigail Wu

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