Tuesday, September 15, 2009

When a pastor is fired


From the Pastor's Weekly Briefing by Focus on the Family:

Question of the Week:
Where does a pastor turn when he's faced with a forced termination?

Response:
Oftentimes, pastors are blind-sided with this seemingly "punch to the gut" moment. As a result, they're left reeling in a state of shock, disbelief, anger and disappointment. It's during this time that a board, committee or some other governing body tends to press for quick and silent exits. Otherwise, one runs the risk of losing his severance package. Unfortunately, it's an all-too-familiar story line.

Denise George, in her book, What Pastors Wish Church Members Knew (Zondervan, 2009), says getting fired is one of a pastor's greatest fears. If you've been a pastor for any amount of time, you know this is a growing reality.

If you're faced with this reality, we hope the following resource links will be of help, comfort and guidance for you:

http://www.christianitytoday.com/yc/more/specialreport/6y2072.html
http://www.christianitytoday.com/yc/more/specialreport/6y6064.html
http://www.christianitytoday.com/yc/more/specialreport/6y3072.html
http://www.christianitytoday.com/yc/more/specialreport/6y4064.html

Additionally, please visit the following Web sites:

http://www.pastorcare.org/
http://www.parsonage.org/
http://www.mtmfoundation.org/index.htm

Finally, let these words from Scripture wash over you: "For you, O God, have tested us; you have tried us as silver is tried. You brought us into the net; you laid a crushing burden on our backs; you let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water; yet you have brought us out to a place of abundance" (Psalm 66:10-12, ESV).

Trusting that He will lead you to that place of abundance!

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