Your Preacher Is Leaving – Plan for It!, by Jerrie Barber
It has been my observation that churches and preachers do better when there is a long ministry. When they are effective, they get to know each other and the community. They can build relationships that are mutually beneficial.
I have the opportunity to visit where the preacher has been at the same congregation for more than a decade. I have had that situation more than once in my years of ministry.
But at some time, that ministry in that place with that preacher is going to end. I think it is helpful when all involved realize that, talk about it, and plan for the transition.
One of the frequent ways I hear people dealing with that reality is denial. “We love our preacher. He has been with us twenty-five years and he is never going to leave.” “Our preacher is also an elder. He doesn’t want to leave and he has job security.”
The preacher is leaving. I have known preachers who have been at a church for many years, felt secure, and suddenly found out they were leaving. I have known preachers who also served as elders who left – sometimes by their choice, at other times not by their choice.
Every preacher will leave his present congregation in one of four ways:
- He may leave at the second coming of Jesus when everyone else in the congregation leaves (1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17).
- Within the next seventy-five to one hundred years most preachers reading this will die.
- Elders have the choice of making changes.
- Preachers can decide to quit preaching, move to another congregation, or retire.
Any of the last three are emotionally and spiritually challenging. I have not observed the first one.
Since this event will have an impact on the congregation, the preacher, and his family, I think it is good to think about it, pray about it, and plan for it. I have tried it with and without planning. In my experience, talking and planning are better.
Jesus prepared His disciples for His leaving. “From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day” (Matthew 16:21, NKJV). They were upset (Matthew 16:22, 23). They didn’t understand (Mark 9:20-37). They fussed about who would be the greatest in the kingdom (Luke 9:43-48). But he kept telling them (Luke 22:14-23). They continued to get upset with each other (Luke 22:24). He increased the details and words of comfort (John 14:1-6).
Although Jesus planned and prepared His friends for His leaving, it did not take away the panic and the pain. But after He left earth, they carried out His mission.
Next month, I plan to discuss some suggestions for planning to leave.
