When the Bomb Drops: The Pastor Resigns

So the senior pastor just announced his resignation. Hopefully you knew it was coming. I’ll never forget the day we emerged from student Bible study to a hallway full of distraught parents and church members, lamenting the resignation of the senior pastor—and I had no idea.

So the lead guy is leaving, for better or worse. The bomb has been dropped. What now? Well regardless of which bomb is dropped, shrapnel will follow. So be ready.

1. People will probably get a little ‘excited’ about what’s to come. Expect it – love and shepherd them as much as you’re allowed.

2. Learn the leadership styles and personalities of the people who will become ‘players’ in the pastor’s absence. If there was comfort in serving with the pastor, it’s gone now. So get to know and get comfortable with those stepping into leadership – you’ll be working with them for a while, probably.

3. Everyone says it – ‘get your resume ready.’ I would say ‘be ready to get your resume ready.’ It might be premature (and self-defeating) to say the resume needs to be polished up immediately. But you will know when it’s time to do that. Don’t do it before then.

4. Don’t be publicly critical of the guy exiting. That will bite you in the end…literally. If you need to vent, find someone disassociated with your church completely.

5. Don’t take anything personally – praise or criticism. It’ll be easier to stay. It’ll be easier to go. Bombs usually leave a lot of damage in their wake. This particular bomb leaves damage and a void of leadership. Trust that God’s hand is sovereign over all – even bomb-ravaged land. Put your faith in his vision for the future of your church, your ministry, and your life.

Darren is a veteran youth pastor in Corpus Christi, TX, and co-hosts a weekly podcast for parents of teenagers (http://www.facebook.com/mipodcast) with his wife, Katie.