When Your Long-Term Pastor Leaves Your Church: Successfully Navigating a Unique Ministry Transition

The time of transition following the tenure of a long-term pastor is a unique season in the life of a congregation. However, the distinct elements and potential difficulties of these transitions can be overcome—these transitions can work! Churches can navigate this season of ministry with the confidence that God can facilitate a successful transition process. When Your Long-Term Pastor Leaves Your Church describes, through a survey of biblical narratives as well as through more current real-life examples, the different ways churches go through transitions after a long-term pastor—with good, bad, or mixed results. The book then discusses ways a congregation, its pastors, elders, and pastoral search committee can safeguard against a poor transition and promote one that is successful. It provides practical guidance for churches who not only want to prevent a problematic transition after a long-term pastor, but want to actually promote one that works.