Ending a Pastorate Well

There is something within each of us that resists change. And yet there are few things which are more certain in life. In fact life is a process of growth which is inherently about change. Seasons in ministry, as in life, move from beginning, to growth, and finally to an end.

The task of ending a pastorate well, unlike many jobs out there, is much more than making an announcement. It is a process which takes months to prepare for and in some cases years of continued attention afterward, to maintain healthy boundaries. Ending a pastoral assignment well is good not only for the pastor who is resigning but also for the congregation who is being served. A healthy season of saying goodbye to one pastor opens the door of the congregation’s heart to a new pastor.