Interview With Outgoing Managing Editor

Christopher Thompson reflects on his highlights with Best Practices and transition back to full-time pastoral ministry.

by Ivan Williams

Best Practices: You seem to really enjoy working with Best Practices and this particular area of ministry. What inspires you about this work?

Christopher Thompson, DMin: I started developing resources for churches and pastors at the very beginning of my ministry. My first project was published in 2009, and the proverbial music has never stopped. It’s obviously providential that those opportunities have been presented to me without me even having to seek them out. I am mindful that the world (and thus the church) is constantly changing. While the Adventist Church has always had a wealth of tools for equipping both clergy and laity, we will always need new resources and tools that are strategically geared to answer questions and meet needs that are pressing at the moment.     

BP: You served as the editor for Best Practices for nearly a year and a half. Is there a project that stands out to you as most memorable?

CT: I especially enjoyed helping churches identify specific ways to say, “Thank you,” to their pastors during Pastor Appreciation Month. I also thoroughly enjoyed helping to continue to develop the Pastors’ Health Initiative and research study (of which the pastors’ appreciation project was a small part).

BP: What did you learn from working with Best Practices?

CT: I’m not sure that it’s something I learned, but rather deeply reinforced, and that is that we are living in the most difficult moment in history to be a pastor. Pastors are required to provide high-quality pastoral care and evangelism in increasingly complex, conflicting, and diverse contexts. We have to figure out ways to minister to the needs of people despite the challenges all around us. The issues and variables that we are required to manage are practically dizzying. Nevertheless, pastors are up to the task, and it’s an honor to be counted among them.

BP: What’s next for you? What are you working on right now?

CT: About a year ago, I was asked to pastor my home church, where my entire family was baptized back in 1992. While I am grateful for this sacred responsibility, I’ve spent the last year getting my sea legs back, given that I haven’t held a full-time local pastoral assignment since 2017. Nevertheless, we are actively seeking to transition this traditional church into a legitimate center of influence in our community.

BP: That’s awesome! Is there anything else you’d like to share about Best Practices?

CT: I am grateful to have been entrusted with this work. I was asked to write an article for BP back in, like, 2010. I consider it an esteemed privilege to have been asked to serve as the editor. My sincerest gratitude goes to Dr. Williams and the entire Ministerial team for the tremendous work they do for pastors and pastoral families each and every day. Thanks for affording me this opportunity. It’s been a joy!

Ivan Williams serves as a Vice President of the NAD for Strategy and Leadership, and as ministerial director.