Anonymous of 10/12 -- I would affirm with what Vern suggests, and even more so following a longer term pastor (10 years or more). Note what Vern says at the end ... "Hiring an inerim pastor is important where the former pastor was long standing."
I would add to these comments that the time between pastorates needs to be free of turmoil and fighting. I came to a church where the previous two pastors had served 15 and 18 years respectively. There was a lot of turmoil and fighting as the last pastor left and it continued up until I arrived. Unfortunately they spent their time fighting instead of processing their grief and preparing for the future. Thus, by the time I arrived, it was like the last pastor had left only a month or two before.
Curt (Guest)
Posted: October 16, 2007
I'm late to this discussion. (Is there still a discussion?) But I wanted to plug the idea of a plurality or team of pastoral leaders with no senior or lead pastor. Not only is this very biblical, but it alleviates most of the problems being discussed here. When the pastoral leadership is being provided by more than one man, a pastor is missed when he leaves, but it doesn't paralyze a church. This is not only some great sounding ideal, but it works very well in practice. The church retains continuity and equilibrium.
Anonymous
Posted: October 12, 2007
Hey, Vern. One month for each year of service? So our church of 400 should wait 30 months, or two and half years, before getting a Pastor? What would be left?
Chellie G. (Guest)
Posted: October 12, 2007
When the assignment is over, the leaving pastor must move immediately to their next position. If this does not happen, they are in the way of the incoming pastor. It has the potenial to send a mixed message through out the congregation. This opens the door for confusion. God is not the author of confusion, but of peace. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his rightousness". What ever is needed the Lord will provide. How well the congregation handles the transition is a reflection of how the leaving pastor lead them.
Mitchell (Guest)
Posted: October 11, 2007
Prepare a good going away or retirement party for the departing pastor. Let everyone have an opportunity to express their good times with the departing pastor. Prepare something tangible for the departing pastor to take with them that will be a physical reminder of the individuals in the church (a quilt with each family having an embroidery memento). Hire an interim that is rather different in style to let the congregation realize that there are different styles of ministery. DO NOT HIRE THAT INTERIM. After several months find out what the congregation truly wants in the next pastor and begin looking for individuals that are strong in those areas. When the new pastor is installed let the new pastor be the one to invite the previous individual back.
