NL Moore & Associates thanks our friend, Senior Pastor Jon Platek at Maple Grove Evangelical Free Church for contibuting today’s blog post. You can find out more about Maple Grove Evangelical Free Church at http://www.mgefc.org/
Nationally, the Church is experiencing a significant shift as baby boomer senior pastors reach retirement age. Many of these pastors have faithfully led their ministries and experienced great fruit for the Kingdom of God. But, the question of “what’s next?” looms as they face retirement. Family, friends and the rhythms of everyday life have been wrapped up in their church. While some retiring pastors embrace the transition, leaving friends to venture out to the great unknown, others find their new reality more difficult to accept.
So, the question is: Should a former senior pastor return to the church he or she served and integrate into the congregation?
Three years ago, I was called to become the lead pastor of a church that had been faithfully led by my predecessor for more than 20 years. He began the succession discussion about five years before the transition actually took place and he remained in place while the search for his successor was conducted. When I arrived, we had a two-week “passing the baton” transition.
Prior to my arrival, the elder board and the outgoing pastor reached an agreement regarding his continued engagement at the church. They agreed that it would be best for the church if he took an intentional 12-month absence from the church. It was a difficult and weighty decision for both the elders and the pastor. But they all realized the necessity of this planned absence for the health of the transition, the unity of the church and the success of the incoming lead pastor.
Even though the former pastor was not involved in the church during that first year, I met with him every four to six weeks. He provided valuable insight, history, wisdom and ministry context that no one else could provide.
Six months after my arrival I asked the board about the plan regarding the former pastor after he had fulfilled his intentional one year absence. This began a conversation that lasted several months. Our conversations centered on three categories: the former pastor, the congregation, and the new pastor.
Conversation 1: The Former Pastor
What are his desires?
This is important to ask directly. He may not desire to have any involvement in the future of the church. I have a friend who retired from a long, successful ministry. He loved the church and was convinced that it was best that he was not involved in its future. He is serving as a faithful volunteer in another church in a different community.
If the former pastor does desire to return, it’s important for him to clearly define what he thinks reentry into the church should look like. Does he simply want to participate as a congregant? Does he desire a title (founding pastor, pastor emeritus, etc.)? Does he want to preach or teach? Does he desire a part or full time staff position? Keep in mind, if the former pastor is too eager to return it might be a cause for concern.
Can he handle the tension?
I asked the former pastor, “Can you handle watching me ruin your church?” While I had no desire to ruin the church or run it into the ground, the former pastor gave his heart and soul to the church and led it well too. However, I would lead differently than he would and it could be painful for him to watch me make changes or strategically release a ministry established under his vision. Can the former pastor handle the internal tension?
Can he support the new leadership?
If a former pastor has a desire to return to the church, then he will likely say that he will whole-heartedly support the new pastor. In most cases he is speaking as honestly as he can. But it is a judgment call. Senior leadership must discern if the former pastor can actually support and help to advance the mission of the church. This conversation requires much prayer and dependence upon God guidance.
Of course, the church leadership is not bound by the desires of the former pastor but gathering as much information from him as possible will help to make a wise decision for all concerned.
Conversation 2: The Congregation
Was the relationship healthy with the former pastor?
This may seem like a silly question but it is an important one to consider. The former pastor may have a strong desire to return to the church but if his relationship with the church prior to leaving was tense or unhealthy it is probably not wise to encourage his reengagement in the church.
Is his presence positive?
It is possible for the former pastor to have had a healthy relationship and ministry in the church while serving as pastor, but he may have become an unhelpful influence during the transition and following. His attitude throughout the transitional season is important. The people of the church need to see this former pastor as a cheerleader and supporter of the new leadership and future vision. If the former pastor cannot be a cheerleader of the new leadership, publically and privately, it may not be wise to allow him to reengage the church.
In my case, the former senior pastor had a very healthy relationship with the congregation. He left in a positive, gracious and healthy manner. During our regular meetings throughout my first year it became obvious that he would remain a very positive influence on the church family.
Can the congregation honor boundaries?
Will the congregation allow the former pastor to join them as a congregant? The congregation may need guidance to know how to feel and respond to seeing the former pastor around the church once again. Will they honor his boundaries? They need direction from the new senior pastor on how to interact with their former pastor.
In my case, I made an announcement one Sunday to inform our church that we had officially invited the former pastor and his wife back into the fellowship. I then provided the church with these rules of engagement:
- 1 Timothy 5:17
“The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.”
- Your former pastor led this body faithfully for more than 20 years. He fed this flock from the Word of God week after week. You have benefited from his leadership and have honored him over the years. Today, I am asking you to continue in the good work you have been doing.
- As your former pastor and his wife return, honor him by not expecting him to be your pastor. He is not on staff. While he loves you dearly and is exceedingly capable, God has brought him to a new season. Please allow him the freedom to enjoy this new season.
- Honor this pastor’s family by allowing them space. Please allow them to be among you as a brother and sister in the faith, as parents, as grandparents, and as friends.
- Honor them by allowing them grace. They will not be with us every week because they have other obligations.
- In the weeks ahead I will invite your former pastor to give us an update publically on what they have been up to over the past year.
- I have every confidence that you will welcome this pastor and his family back with open arms.
Conversation 3: The New Pastor
Can he honor the past and still lead into the future?
Every new pastor must find this important balance. He must be humble enough to recognize that he has the privilege to pastor a church that he did not establish. The new pastor is standing on the shoulders of many faithful leaders whom God used well to build the church. They are worthy of honor.
The new pastor must also lead into the next season for the church. Forging ahead with passion and vision takes courage. Is the new pastor able to honor that past and lead into the future with the former pastor is sitting in the pew each week?
Does he feel supported?
In order for the former pastor to return to the church the new pastor must feel supported. This support must come from several directions in order for the new pastor to do his best work. He must feel the support from the former pastor, the elder board, and the staff.
There is not a one size fits all solution for succession. Leadership transitions are complex and require considerable thought, planning and prayer. However, I do believe that a senior leadership succession can be accomplished in a healthy, God honoring way.
By God’s grace, my church is living proof.