by Rvaughn » Tue Dec 12, 2017 8:47 pm
I live within 5 miles of one former church. It is the church in the community where I was born, grew up, and live at the present. My brother-in-law is a deacon, my uncle the treasurer, a cousin the song leader -- and so on (very few there to whom I am not related by blood or marriage). At 102, my Mother is the oldest member. We visit there occasionally (mainly a quarterly singing that is held there), but I don't meddle in their affairs. The pastor who followed me stayed about 15 years -- second longest pastorate in the church's history. The current pastor and I are friends (I didn't know him before he came here) and I don't think he perceives me as a threat (and he has no reason to). We will be having him preach for us at our church soon. (The church I pastor is about 10 miles in the other direction.)
People smarter than I recommend not pastoring family, but it was not a negative experience for me (or the church as far as I know). But there is probably always some degree of "lack of respect" since you're just "litte ol' you" that some of them knew when you were in diapers (the real kind). That probably helps, though, once you are no longer the pastor and the new pastor doesn't have to worry about them giving you more respect than they do him.