Mastering Transitions

ARTICLE TOOLS

Find similar articles E-mail this page

"Shake the dust off your feet" and move on, Jesus tells his disciples after they are rejected. That is sound advice even in this day. But as we make our way out of town, we will have to traverse some potentially dangerous streets.
—Robert Kemper

We all wish it never happened. Pastors are hurt by it. Congregations suffer for it. The whole body of Christ aches when it happens. But sometimes it happens: a pastor is asked to leave a pastorate. To put it in business terms, sometimes pastors get fired. Like the crash of an airliner, the news is jarring and the effect on people is wide and most unwelcome.

When it happened to Peter Hudson (a composite of fired pastors I've known), he was stunned. It had never occurred to him that anyone as sincere and well meaning as him could be told by a group of parishioners that his services were no longer needed.

So now what does a pastor do? "Shake the dust off your feet" and move on, says Jesus. That is sound advice even in this day. But as we make our way out of town, we will have to traverse some potentially dangerous streets. Often knowing the names and shapes of those streets helps us get safely through them and on to another community of faith.

To be dismissed is to be rejected. To be rejected is like being struck a blow. It hurts. The natural, visceral instinct is to hit back, to hurt others as we have been hurt.

For pastors, public recrimination may be the most tempting recourse. We are professionally articulate, and when wounded, we can easily imagine all sorts of ways to verbally assault people or defend ourselves eloquently.

As Peter Hudson packed his books, each pitch of a book into a box punctuated some great defense he was fashioning in his mind. Like Perry Mason, ...

Like the preview? To read this complete article and 18,013 more in the archive—JOIN NOW! Easily find high-quality, well-researched materials that provide a Christian perspective on topics ranging from headlines to history. Start using this invaluable tool TODAY for preparing your Bible studies, presentations, class lectures, sermons, meetings, and more.
It's easy and quick to join: 2-for-1 Deal. Two powerful resources for 1 great price! A 1-Year Membership to CTLibrary & a 1-year print subscription to the magazine of your choice! Enjoy your first 7days online FREE! Only $49.95 1-Year Membership Plus your first 7 days are FREE! You won't be charged until after your free trial. Only $49.95 1-Month Membership Includes automatic renewal each month. Only $9.95 1-Year for Print Subscribers Special offer if you are currently a print subscriber to Christianity Today, Leadership journal, Books & Culture or Christian History & Biography. Only $29.95 first year Brought to You by Christianity Today Int'l		FREE e-Newsletter! Even if you're not a member you can take advantage of the free "Christian News & Research" twice monthly e-newsletter! Sign up today for the FREE e-newsletter!   Note: Members also automatically receive this free e-newsletter.