We have heard of the three-, five- and seven-year itch, when not only marriages but also pastoral direction in a church tends to decline. Just like a marriage takes the commitment of the two spouses who both must give 100 percent of their time, commitment, and love to each other, so too in a parish. In fact, St. Paul compares a holy marriage to the mystery of the Church.
In the article linked below, even though it is written by Protestant minister, there are six solid and good points.
http://goodguyswearblack.org/2014/07/01 ... -avoid-it/
1. Have an awareness of the possibility of a third year letdown. It is not unusual, and you are not alone.
2. Be prepared for the down season to last a while. The dropout rates for pastors in years four and five were pretty high as well.
3. Surround the pastor with prayer. Be intentional about praying for the pastor’s emotional, physical, and spiritual strength during this season.
4. Keep the church outwardly focused as much as possible. Church members who are focused inwardly tend to be more critical and dissatisfied.
5. Be aware that pastors who make it through these seasons are usually stronger on the other side. Their churches are as well.
6. Church members need to be highly intentional about encouraging the pastor and the pastor’s family. While they always need encouragement, they really need it during this season.
#3 - Praying for the clergy, choir and parishioners should always be #1 in our priorities. Without prayer and regular attendance at the Holy Services at the parish, the parish will not thrive, keep its membership, and grow.
#4 - Having a parish mission or goal to reach out to others is also important. Seasonal parish efforts to reach out to the poor in the parish and in the community through Thanksgiving baskets and Christmas baskets and/or Pascal choral concerts are essential if the parish wants to grow. Some will say that charitable acts are best done in secret, but when the parish can work as a group, it is easier because some parishioners do not have a car, but they have time and resources that they can share. At my former parishes, we shared our talents. Some were great chefs and worked in the kitchen to prepare hot meals for the parish workers. Other people had a talent of welcoming people. Still other parishioners could provide talent: singing and playing musical instruments. Others did not have much money, but they did have unlimited time and talent. Still others might have a lot of money, but unless asked, they may give it to Protestant charities like the Salvation Army or the St. Vincent Society when our parish and synodal Orthodox Charities really could use help. If we have physical disasters like floods, fires, earthquakes, hurricanes, or tornadoes, having resources at the parishes like extra clothing, blankets, and food can help needly victims.
Parish Garden - Another parish activity that is done in more pro-active parishes is buying a plot of land adjacent to the church or near one of the parishioners where the parish has a place to grow crops to share with needy parishioners and to give to the poor. This is a wonderful activity where together parishioners can pray, work, cook, and eat of the bounty of God's beautiful earth. Often times, the example set by the outgoing members can lead another parishioner to a change of heart, so that he will be more willing to share his time, talent, and treasure. With a good harvest, parishioners can gather to preserve this food for the winter months, make wine and sauerkraut, and bake Christmas cookies or fruitcakes. Some parishes have avocado trees growing around the church providing shade and abundant fruits. Others have grape vines to provide shade and make a few bottles of altar wine.
#6 - Concern for the pastor and his family is crucial. In some struggling parishes, parishioners give very little to the pastor who may have to apply for public assistance and food stamps. This should not be. Then these same parishioners bicker and complain that their priest is not doing all the services when he has to hold down a full-time job and feed five, six, or seven children at home all of whom need a lot of good nutritious food in order to grow.