Nebraska Synod ELCA

By Pastor Kris Bohac

When Pastor Kris Bohac arrived in 2011 to serve Bethlehem and Zion Lutheran Churches, one of her first impressions was how small the congregations were. She remembers walking in for the first time and thinking about the scale of the place—not with hesitation, but with curiosity.

“I don’t really remember the first sermon I preached here,” she recalls. “I’m sure I was nervous, but what I do remember is how friendly and welcoming everyone was.”

Over the years, the relationships deepened. Pastor Kris grew to know what was happening in the lives of her members, and the congregations supported her through her own life’s moments. Ministry became something they shared, not simply something she provided.

Preparing for Transition With Transparency and Care

Long before she announced her retirement, Pastor Kris began talking openly with the congregations about the future. She knew that small churches often feel blindsided when a pastor leaves—especially now, in an era when pastoral shortages are a reality across the ELCA and beyond.

“I wanted them to have plenty of notice,” she said. “We all know small congregations often can’t afford a full-time pastor, and I didn’t want this transition to be a surprise.”

But what began as simple transparency eventually grew into something more—a shared ministry model that is blessing both congregations in unexpected ways.

The Spark: A Simple Bulletin Announcement

The shift started small.
A note in the bulletin read: I’ll be gone these days—could anyone help lead worship?

“I thought maybe one or two people would respond,” Pastor Kris said. “Instead, a surprising number of people stepped up.”

At first it was volunteers. Later, Pastor Kris began intentionally inviting people she saw already showing leadership—people who loved learning, who were curious, who were active in Bible study or congregational life.

These became the first lay preachers.

Growing Leaders From Within

Today, the congregations have a rotating group of lay preachers who gather monthly to study Scripture and plan for upcoming Sundays.

“They meet with me so we can go over the texts and talk about what themes or questions they might explore,” she explained. “I make sure they have resources. Writing a sermon is hard, and time can be an issue. But they’ve all said it’s a pretty amazing experience to see where the Spirit leads them.”

And the unexpected blessing?
It isn’t just the preachers who are growing. The congregations are, too.

More Voices, More Perspectives, More Faith

Having multiple preachers has broadened the congregation’s experience of Scripture and faith.

“It’s been good for the people who listen,” Pastor Kris reflected. “They’re getting more perspectives than just mine. They’re hearing from people like them—people living out their faith in everyday life, with the same questions and the same struggles.”

It’s not a replacement for pastoral leadership. It’s a deepening of congregational ministry.

Why Small Churches Are Uniquely Prepared for This

In many ways, small congregations are naturally equipped for this kind of model.

“These congregations have always had lay people who step up and do what needs to be done,” she said. “They don’t assume the pastor has to do everything.”

Because of this culture, they were ready—perhaps more ready than they realized—to take on shared leadership in preaching and worship.

A Vision for the Future: Ministry That Belongs to Everyone

As Pastor Kris looks toward retirement, she sees this model not as a temporary solution but as a sign of what the church can be.

“To survive—and not just survive but grow—we need to see ministry as something we all share,” she said.

Whatever a congregation’s call looks like, she believes one thing is certain:
It cannot rest solely on the pastor.

“The people need to feel like this is their ministry,” she said. “Not just their church—the place where they come—but the work we do here together. Sunday mornings, service, care for one another… it belongs to them as much as it ever belonged to me.”