A young pastor’s wife contacted me recently and said she and her husband are in the process of changing churches and wanted to know how to finish well. Their denomination has their pastors send resumès to other churches without a pastor...so they’re early in the process. They just know their ministry is finished where they are. She also said they were under attack. I gave her the following advice and then thought it might help you if you’re in the process or may be in the future. What would you add?
- Stay focused. You’re not gone yet and still have a job to do. Do it well.
- Whoever is attacking, overcome them with kindness. Love the people. Bless them. Do good to them. Pray for them.
- Do the next thing in front of you that you know would bring God pleasure and you pleasure. Stay occupied—it’s so easy to get antsy when you know change is coming. And it’s very easy to get ahead of God.
- Minister to your family. If your children are old enough, prepare them at the appropriate time for the change coming (depending on their ages and ability to keep it quiet, if necessary). Plan play times with their special friends.
- Keep doing ministry. Don’t just quit. Plan ahead and put people in place to carry out the plans. Hopefully you’ve trained others for ministry—empower them!
- Don’t get overwhelmed. Remember God is in control and has good plans for all concerned. And remember He loves this church. If you start stressing, take short trips out of town. See a movie. Go to the carnival. Do something fun!
- Pray with your spouse and your family. Enlist trusted friends and family to pray with you.
- Stay in the Word. Hear God. He will encourage you, counsel you, and direct you.
- Leave the church better than you found it. Ask God what that looks like—and do it.
- Praise God for this church. God had a good purpose in bringing you to them and giving them to you. Bless them.
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