A couple of yrs ago our lead pastor disqualified himself from ministry. A very difficult time for our church. I wasn't one of our elders then, but as a devoted and concerned member -- and even as a close friend of our sr. pastor -- I appreciated how the elders led us...
1. He was fired immediately upon discovery.
You might want to ensure your church bylaws allow for such swift action.
You might want to ensure your church bylaws allow for such swift action.
2. The membership was informed at a special called members' meeting immediately after the next Sunday service.
Many discovered through the grapevine before that but this was the quickest way to personally deliver the news and explain in a way that was open to response/questions
Many discovered through the grapevine before that but this was the quickest way to personally deliver the news and explain in a way that was open to response/questions
3. The elders were clear about the nature of the sin.
There were no vague insinuations or fuzzy euphemisms. We didn't get all the nitty-gritty details, of course, but they were specific about the sin, who it was with, how long it had gone on, etc.
There were no vague insinuations or fuzzy euphemisms. We didn't get all the nitty-gritty details, of course, but they were specific about the sin, who it was with, how long it had gone on, etc.
4. The elders were available and transparent with members (and those in membership process) who had questions/concerns.
They took some hits about "how could this happen on your watch?" but they were open, honest, and available. They didn't try to cover anything or avoid.
They took some hits about "how could this happen on your watch?" but they were open, honest, and available. They didn't try to cover anything or avoid.
5. At the next regular members' meeting, the elders recommended the church formally discipline the (now) former pastor.
6. Throughout the process, the pastors sought to care for his wife (who continued to attend the church).
The goal was for her to know we supported her (no matter what) and were interested in her well-being and in his repentance/accountability.
The goal was for her to know we supported her (no matter what) and were interested in her well-being and in his repentance/accountability.
7. We continued to grow even during this painful process and during the 2 years we went without a lead preacher. When I became an elder I asked folks if it gave them any caution before joining and nobody said yes. Multiple said the transparency of the elders encouraged them.
(Several of those folks mentioned coming from churches where pastors would "disappear," usually for suspected disqualifying reasons, but nobody would ever communicate that to the church and everything was secretive.)
I'm in awe of the guys who shepherded us through that season. None of them had pastored a church before. But they kept their noses in their Bibles and their arms around the flock and tended to us really well. It was an honor to join their team in the next season.
Not an enjoyable experience, to be sure, and it's not one I enjoy bringing up. I love that brother, and I'm happy to share he's walking in repentance, his marriage restored, theyre engaged in another gospel-loving local church. But perhaps some of these lessons can help you. /end
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