Episode 84: How to Exit Gracefully
All of us will leave a ministry position at some time.
Being asked to leave
Being led to another position
How do we do that in a way that:
glorifies God
presents a witness to my community
protects the witness of the church
protects my witness and that of my family?
Pray - alot!
Pray that God gives you grace and mercy He has
Pray for your successor
that they will have great success
that your church won't be wanting you back
that the church will move forward in God's power and strength
Have a cohort you trust to ask you questions and that you can vent to
Address the hurt in your heart - if you're asked to leave
keep in mind that your hurt is real and needs to be dealt with before you can move on in a healthy way.
Also keep in mind that God can still work now and will work in that church in the future
When you're led to leave:
When should you tell
who should you tell when?
How long should you stay after telling them you're leaving?
Preaching in the exit
Not a time to bring up all the bad things people have done to you over the years - Remember not everyone has hurt you
Do be gracious
Do point to the goodness of God
Do encourage the church
Much work to be done as you exit
Make a list of things that need to be done or covered
make a list of where important things are - be a blessing to the next guy.
Make a list of important people to get to know in the community
Leave your office very organized