Lloyd Elder retires—again—after six decades of ministry

NASHVILLE, Tenn.—At age 83, Lloyd Elder—former Texas Baptist pastor and denominational executive—plans to retire for the fourth and what he termed the “final” time May 31 after more than six decades of ministry.

In his most recent position, Elder served as volunteer administrator and chair of the development board of the Bivocational and Small Church Leadership Network, based in Nashville, Tenn.

While his passion for work with bivocational and small-church leaders continues, he plans to focus on family and health issues—specifically a battle with and pulmonary fibrosis.

Looking back on decades of service

Lloyd ElderLooking back, Elder said every position in his career has equipped him in different ways to serve small churches and bivocational pastors. He started in 1953 as a bivocational pastor in five churches in Alaska and Texas, and then led fulltime pastorates in Texas.

Next, he moved on to executive denominational positions at the Baptist General Convention of Texas and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and later was president of the Baptist Sunday School Board—now LifeWay Christian Resources.

From education through churches, Elder moved to Christian higher education. He taught preaching and worship, administration and leadership at Belmont University and then founded the Moench Center for Church Leadership at Belmont in 1996.

Serving bivocational and small-church leaders

Ray Gilder, national coordinator of Bivocational and Small Church Leadership Network, said Elder approached him 20 years ago when he headed small church ministry at the Tennessee Baptist Convention. Elder offered support through resources and training among pastors of churches with Sunday school attendance of 125 or less.

“He became a volunteer in BSCLN in 2006 and then established the national office in 2014,” Gilder said. “It’s been amazing to watch him give his time and talents to this organization. He’s been at work five days a week, even when he developed health issues. He has always maintained a positive and courageous attitude. His associate, Joyce Byrd, serves as an invaluable volunteer treasurer and officer.”

Gilder noted funds Elder raised enabled the network to produce more resources for churches and pastors.

“The Lord has blessed BSCLN, and Lloyd Elder has been one of the keys,” he said.

Prepared to coach church leaders

Elder noted the research and writing for college classes he taught at Belmont “prepared me to become a coach in this organization.” Also, students, bivocational pastors and others with whom he served “have nudged and taught me so that I’ve been fulfilled working out of their needs rather than mine. We all work as a team, mostly as volunteers.”

To broaden the organization beyond the national staff, nine regional consultants serve smaller churches and bivocational pastors in 26 states.

In addition to raising funds, Elder also contributed to new resources and sought to be advocate, listener and encourager to this ever-growing group. He also conducted research and led training sessions.

Growing field of ministry

While Southern Baptist churches include many so-called mega-congregations, the number of small membership churches, many with bivocational pastors, totals more than 38,000.

“While some bivocational pastors have college and graduate degrees, we also work with many who have great passion and ministry abilities for their churches, but may never go to college,” Elder said.

“Many feel they do not have a place in the denomination. When you encourage them or thank them for their important ministries, they light up with gratitude.”

In the near future, as many as “80 percent of those called to be pastors will become ‘intentional lifetime bivocational pastors’ because of their sense of calling, and churches will not be able to fully support them financially,” Elder said.

He called for continuing efforts to build awareness and “tell the stories of the churches we seek to serve.” Continuing initiatives include developing a national network, partnering with other Christian groups, launching a national funding campaign and providing scholarships.

He acknowledged the challenges bivocational pastors face in juggling a vocation, a church ministry and family responsibilities. The network seeks to equip bivocational pastors to “be lifelong students of God’s Word, seek out mentors and be a team leader,” he said.

Bivocational and Small Church Leadership Network is showing “the need is there” to strengthen smaller churches and bivocational pastors as they do an eternal work, Elder said. “I have been blessed to be a part of these servants.”

He acknowledged with gratitude the role of his wife, Sue, as confidant and supporter. “She’s believed in me when I’ve not believed in myself,” he said of their 62 years of marriage. “We have had our joys and sorrows and she’s been a survivor and gifted partner. So why not now— a fourth retirement!”