Kristen Old (Core 2016) is the pastor of St. John's Baptist Church in Virginia Beach, VA. In 2015, she joined St. John's as the student minister, and in 2021 she transitioned to serving as senior pastor. This spring, Kristen began hosting an online huddle for Uptick Alum ladies to provide a space for leaders who have a common language and Uptick experience to gather for fellowship, encouragement, and support.
Chelsea Anderson (Core '21-'22) has enjoyed getting to know Kristen through the huddle and was inspired by the story of how Kristen is trusting God to lead her church from a scarcity mindset into a missional Kingdom mindset. With Kristen's permission, she shares it here.
As the final song of the service began, Kristen knew that she had to say something. She could no longer hold in the tension. The state of the church couldn’t continue as it was and thrive. Congregants were struggling in their volunteer positions, and the direction and programming of her beloved church felt contrived and mechanical. She wasn’t particularly prepared to address the issues at that moment; however, based on her recent experience with a personal coach and the prompting of the Holy Spirit, she knew that she needed to take a leap of faith. The music faded.
“I have some things to share.”
Kristen began her speech. For the first time in a long time, Kristen stopped trying to lead with her head as a pastor and began to lead from her heart, vulnerable and open. The congregants sat quietly in their seats, paying diligent attention to what she had to say. The church was in the process of going over nominations for their committees and volunteer positions, but the process itself wasn’t working as the church had once hoped it would. Congregants filled positions that weren’t a good fit for them, and many volunteers were feeling burnt out and unhappy in their service. Kristen concluded her speech by asking those in her church who were serving in roles they didn’t feel aligned with God’s calling in their lives to step down. It was a risk.
Two volunteers immediately stepped away from their positions. Kristen was a little bit shocked by the immediate response, but continued to trust the Holy Spirit and walk through the nomination process. Later that week, two different congregants stepped up to fill the positions which were vacated, reminding her that God was with her in this process.
It took Pastor Old several years to see it, but she began to realize that the church had been stuck in a scarcity mentality, moving through the days as best they could in order to survive. The church had lost its passion, its first love; instead, it had developed tunnel vision, seeing only programs and traditions. She knew that her role as pastor meant beginning to use her prophetic vision over her church to call them back into alignment with the God who loves them. Her message to them now is, “What is God calling our church to do?” The question continues to take root in the hearts of the congregation as Pastor Kristen Old walks boldly with her God, in step with the Spirit, prioritizing the mission of God over processes.
As Kristen reflects on what it looks like to continue moving forward, she knows that her own life must model a Kingdom mindset rather than a scarcity mindset. However, she’s committed to the vision of Mathew 6:33 for her life and her church: "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
