How is life and ministry going at your church?
Are you grateful for your job and do you love what you do?
Or are you considering a change?
Transitioning from one church to another is one of the most difficult decisions any leader can make. How do you make that decision?
It’s tough to know when and how to leave.
Waiting too long or until the circumstances are so unhealthy you feel you must escape, or a potential termination is pending, are tough situations. In cases like these, its best to move quickly through a series of mature conversations that lead to a mutually honoring and agreed upon resignation scenario. The hopeful result would be in the best interest of the church and your best interest as well. If it isn’t mutually beneficial, it eventually turns negative and people are hurt.
The purpose of this post, however, is not to deal with those difficult situations, but to focus on the more common transition from a good church to another good church.
This more common circumstance is less painful and more hopeful, but surprisingly still complicated.
Leaving a church team always includes some sense of loss even with a hopeful future in front of you. What is the best way to make a transition?
It’s important that you are as spiritual prepared as you are mentally and emotionally to make a change. Specifically, what is God saying to you?
This post provides a series of questions to help you process what God is saying to you, leave or stay? And if it’s leave, how to leave in the right way.
Seven questions to help you discern if it’s time to leave:
(Okay, there are way more than seven.)
1) Do you have a sense that you have completed what God sent you to do?
Is it time to leave? Start with these 3 questions
- Have you fulfilled your vision since you came to the church?
- Are you happy with the results of your leadership?
- Is there anything left unfinished that God expects of you?
As it relates to leaving a church there is a difference between restless and finished.
Restless is often a sign of being distracted, uncertain about what to do next, or just bored. Being finished is something you and God need to agree on and there should be clear evidence to back up your thoughts.
How do you know if you have completed the assignment God gave you?
As a leader, you may be restless, but it’s important to finish well. If you have not accomplished what you set out to do, perhaps God needs you to stay and finish.
2) Have you given 100% of your effort and energy?
Every church deserves your best shot, and you owe it to yourself too.
Have you worked smart and worked hard? Be careful not to get sidetracked with low priority interests and endeavors. Don’t leave if you haven’t given it your all. How long have you been there? Less than five to seven years? Sometimes you just need more time. You may be surprised at the difference in results and get excited about staying.
*As a leader in the church you don’t have to rob your soul to give your all.
Stay close to God, listen to your trusted advisors, mind your margins and give it your all.
As a leader in the church you don’t have to rob your soul to give your all.Click & Tweet!
3) Are you leaving the church in a good financial situation?
This question relates primarily to senior pastors, but good stewardship applies to all church staff.
It’s all too common for a pastor to leave the church in difficult financial circumstances. You may be sensing a stir within you to leave, but if six more months or so of your consistent leadership would strengthen the church’s financial position, then staying may be the right thing to do.
Paying down debt, finishing a generosity initiative, completing a building project, or even smaller things like refinancing a key loan in the church can make a big difference in your legacy as a pastor.
4) Are you considering leaving because you are tired or frustrated?
We’ve all experience the Monday morning blues where we’d take nearly any call that comes for a new church. That’s not the time to go. The next church may be bigger and the pay may be higher, but the grass is never greener.
Every church environment and culture has its challenges, and of course, some more than others.
It’s true that taking some vacation time doesn’t necessarily change the circumstances you return to on the church team. But it’s a very good first test. Get some time away. Get some rest. It’s amazing how that can change your perspective.
Something as simple as some time off can give you great clarity on leaving or staying. And if you are to leave, it helps you leave with the right spirit.
5) Are all relationships, as far as it depends on you, in peace?
Don’t leave the church if there are relationships that need to be cleaned up or there is an important relationship that needs restoration. Take care of this, then consider the change.
One of the greatest gifts you can give your church and the body of Christ at large is to develop healthy and thriving relationships as part of your legacy.
You will regret leaving relationships undone. Not everyone wants to be at peace with you, that’s not your responsibility, but for all those where peace is possible, (Romans 12:18) take the lead and work toward healing, harmony or at least agree to disagree.
6) Have you discussed this with your inner circle?
You don’t have to take a poll or please people, and ultimately you must decide, but never make the decision to leave rashly or without counsel.
Too much is at stake. Leaving the right way, or just considering leaving, is a big deal. It’s a major stress in your life and the life of your church. You can reduce stress and strengthen your legacy by leaving well.
What do those closest to you think?
- Do they agree this is the right thing do to?
- Do they think this is the right time?
- What does your spouse think?
- What do your key advisors think?
Take time to listen carefully, think deeply and pray much before you leave your church.
7) Do you have a clearance from God that you are released from your ministry?
What does God say? If He says go, then finish well and leave with grace and genuine humility.
But candidly, I have found that if you can’t answer the question about leaving your church with an inner peace, you may be listening to yourself more than God.
Only you and God really know, but it’s not wise to make a move if it isn’t time, or if you haven’t done what you need to do first.
There are other things for you to consider before you leave, but these will get you well on your way to discovering the answer and doing it the right way.
