The Lord said to Abram, “Leave your land, your family, and your father’s household for the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation and will bless you. I will make your name respected, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, those who curse you I will curse; all the families of the earth will be blessed because of you.” — Genesis 12:1-3 CEB
By Rev. Troy Howell and Sandii Peiffer
Effective July 1, new and transitioning pastors will assume leadership of their respective churches and appointments. Effective July 1, they will no longer provide pastoral care or leadership at their former church/appointment, and it is incumbent upon each faith community to release them from any such expectation. Such expectation is not fair to pastors or to the very capable clergy that God, through our bishop, is placing among us. It is a time to build relationships with new pastors and receive their leadership and care.
Pastors do not choose their congregations. Neither do congregations choose their pastor. However, they can be certain that God chose to bring each of them together for a time and season. Former pastors are not permitted, by long-standing practice of the United Methodist bishops and by ministerial ethic, to return to their former churches for leadership in weddings, Services of Death and Resurrection, baptisms, or any scope of pastoral care.
Now it is fitting to praise God for the journey through your years together. If you are part of a church in transition, give thanks for your former pastor and his/her gifts of leadership, pastoral care, proclamation of God’s great faithfulness, and abiding invitation to welcome the Holy Spirit’s challenge for you to be the people of Jesus and to act like it. Rejoice in God’s faithfulness through their work in Christ Jesus. Ask God’s blessings for their next season of ministry, and release them from leadership and pastoral care of your congregation.
After you have released your former pastor, pray for God’s mission and purpose in the season to come. Pray for the incoming pastor for wise leadership, compassionate care, faithful proclamation of God’s Word, and for the love of Christ to be evident in everything they do. Be a welcoming congregation. Let them bless you, and be a blessing to them. Share your ideas and be open to new ideas for ministry together to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
Susquehanna Conference of the United Methodist Church
