Rules for Resigning a Pastorate

I will, with my resignation, sever my pastoral relations with any former parishioner and will not make pastoral contacts in the field of another pastor without his or her knowledge and consent.   

Resigning a pastorate is as critical as accepting the role in the first place.  If it is not done in an ethical manner, the way one resigns a church can become a source of untold grief for the incoming pastor.  Resignation may end the formal leadership role and the pastor/parishioner relationship, but it does not automatically stop the informal relationships that have formed over the preceding years.  Friendships, blood relatives, business partnerships and shared commitments with individual members make leaving a pastorate difficult.  

First, the incumbent pastor must recognize that he or she has the advantage over the incoming pastor in knowing the congregation and the history of individual members.  With the resignation, this pastor must initiate the protocol of severing both formal and informal ties.  All invitations to visit the sick, perform marriages or funerals or conduct any other pastoral function must only be done with the knowledge and consent of the new pastor.  This gives the new pastor the freedom to lead without having to overcome interference from past leadership.  

In instances where the resigning pastor has blood relatives in the congregation, or has other associations that cannot be terminated, full disclosure must be made before the new pastor ever accepts the position.  At no time should the resigning pastor interfere with or contradict the leadership of the new pastor.  If a genuine concern arises, especially with regard to doctrine, morality, Apostolic identity or other similar matters, the proper channels of organizational authority must be followed.  

Second, the resigning pastor must respect the field of labor that now belongs to the incoming pastor.  Ethical behavior prohibits moving back into close proximity to the same congregation’s location to plant another church.  Whenever there is any question, the bylaws of the district in which the church resides govern such a move.  The rule of thumb is that no action should be taken that will cause harm or confusion to the existing congregation. 

Lingering relationships create problems for the new pastor.  Advising members of the assembly one has just left could contradict the advice of the current pastor.  To summarize, here are some specific guidelines that apply to resigning pastors: 

• Do not attempt to pastor people in the congregation you have just left.
• Kindly inform former parishioners that ethics prohibit you from counseling them.
• If a parishioner volunteers information to you, either ignore it or inform the new pastor.
• Never lead people to believe that the new pastor is disrupting their friendship with you.
• Direct all pastoral questions to the new pastor.
• Do not critique or judge the leadership style of the new pastor to members.
• Always get the consent of the new pastor if contact with a parishioner is necessary.
• Voice concerns only to organizational leadership. 

Last, resignations should be done properly, deliberately and honorably.  No one should simply walk out and leave everything behind.  The congregation should be informed of the incumbent pastor’s intention to leave and have the opportunity to select the next pastor.  The church should not be left with financial or legal questions unanswered.  District officials should be notified and have a say in the future of the congregation and any assets that belong to it.  

Following these guidelines will reduce any tension or anxiety that leadership changes can cause.  It also helps ensure the integrity of the organization and maintain the highest level of respect between pastors and between church congregations.  The goal of our organization is to strengthen the unity of our ministers and to preserve the congregations that are affiliated with the United Pentecostal Church, International.  

Comments

[Tracy]

I definitely didn't like this blog :(