Pastoral Pointer | Saying "Goodbye" with Grace
Few things are as awkward or as hurtful to a pastor as the unexpected departure of church members for another local congregation. Their decision to leave may cause fear, defensiveness, and anger in the pastor’s heart while clouding his judgment and threatening his peace of mind. Left unchecked, his emotions might even compromise his ability to shepherd the ones who stay. How can a pastor not only manage his feelings, but also sow seeds of friendship and kindness that salvage the relationship and leave the door open that might one day welcome them back?
People come and people go and they will do both of these actions for various reasons. How can a pastor deal well with people leaving the church while continuing to show he cares and maintaining a favorable relationship with the former members? In this edition of Pastoral Pointer, Dr. York covers this topic and addresses what typically happens when this is done well.